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    Multiple-level analysis as a tool for policy: An example of the use of contextualism and causal layered analysis

    192315_94298_bishop-v4i2-20130619.pdf (867.3Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Bishop, Brian
    Dzidic, Peta
    Breen, Lauren
    Date
    2013
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Bishop, Brian J. and Dzidic, Peta L. and Breen, Lauren J. 2013. Multiple-level analysis as a tool for policy: An example of the use of contextualism and causal layered analysis. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice. 4 (2): pp. 1-13.
    Source Title
    Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice
    Additional URLs
    http://www.gjcpp.org/pdfs/bishop-v4i2-20130619.pdf
    ISSN
    2163-8667
    Remarks

    This article is published under the Open Access publishing model and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Please refer to the licence to obtain terms for any further reuse or distribution of this work.

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/37190
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    In 1970 Scribner described four types of community psychologists. Despite social change being a common theme, the four types were differentiated by the extent to which they were inside government and organisations or outside, agitating for change. Community psychology and policy change appear to be implicitly connected. Despite this, engagement of community psychologists in policy change has proven to be minimal. Distinctions between first (cosmetic) and second order (systemic) change (Watzlawick, Weakland & Fisch, 1974) reflect the intractability of fundamental change due to deep systemic cultural influences, and should act as a motivator for community psychologists in the policy arena. We argue that psychology’s failure to adopt a multiplicity of epistemologies, in particular a contextualist epistemology, has meant that psychology, and particularly, community psychology has had limited impact. Further, we argue the need to consider community worldviews and culture, in general, if we are to engage more fully in policy development and implementation. Contending with the social issues relevant to policy settings requires an articulation of the worldview and cultural context. Causal layered analysis, a futures methodology, has been adopted to allow a reflective and contextual approach to policy implementation and involves a structured layered deconstruction of social issues. An example of this approach will be highlighted with its application to the implementation of sustainable Australian agricultural policy in the face of climate change.What is revealed is a psychological paradox involving the general endorsement of sustainable policy alongside cultural impediments to its adoption. Community psychologists have a natural and important role to play in policy formulation, given our epistemologies, methodologies and motivation for genuine and transformative social change.

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