Dalton, Elias, and Wandersman have answered the challenge of transforming an abstract, theoretical topic into
a lively and understandable subject for students. Through concrete examples and consistent pedagogy, this text
helps students understand the concepts and provides opportunities for students to apply the concepts. After introducing
community psychology and its history, the authors describe methods of community research and discuss how to understand
communities from the perspectives of sense of community, coping, and social support. The focus then shifts to community
programs and actions: preventing problem behavior and promoting social competence, citizen participation, organizing
for community and social change, and program evaluation and development.