Community psychology is an applied branch of psychology that places emphasis on understanding people in their own context, and promoting their health and wellbeing within this context. It is particularly relevant in the quest to empower people to address psychosocial problems through community development. Community psychology focuses on how theories and research are used to inform practice in South Africa.

Community psychology applies theories relevant to the study of people in South Africa’s diverse multicultural environment, delving deeper into the psychosocial problems of violence and crime, poverty and unemployment, racism and xenophobia, gender-based violence/gender equity, masculinities, community trauma, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, child and adolescent mental health and the elderly in the community.

It develops a new perspective on interpretation of communities, resulting in meaningful engagement which can lead to real social change.