Interdisciplinary Linkage of Community Psychology and Cross-Cultural Psychology: History, Values, and an Illustrative Research and Action Project on Intimate Partner Violence

An analysis of the respective organizational histories, missions, and scholarly activity of the International Association
for Cross-Cultural Psychology and the Society for Community Research and Action was conducted in order to inform the development
of interdisciplinary linkages between members of the two organizations. The analysis revealed many points of shared values
and actions, as well as some important differences. Both scholarly organizations developed out of a similar historical and
cultural zeitgeist in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The missions emphasize the role of culture/diversity in psychological
phenomena, adopting an interdisciplinary orientation, the value of collaboration, the importance of research method and ethics,
and the value of action research. However, community psychology generally lacks an adequate treatment of cultural phenomena
while cross-cultural psychology often fails to draw on community and participatory methods useful for understanding culture
in context. These common roots and differences are examined. Finally, we describe a community based, participatory research
and intervention project to address intimate partner violence among Latinos and European-Americans living in Oregon. Analysis
of the research process and on some of our initial findings illustrates challenges and potential benefits of an interdisciplinary,
cultural community psychology.