Review

From the reviews: "Developing Prosocial Communities Across Cultures dares to take a step toward the daunting task of repairing communities broken down by ‘antisocial’ … attitudes and behaviors. … the beauty of this work is in its groundbreaking consideration of the complexities of individuals and their behaviors, integrated within social, economic, and political systems. … This is an important work for students of social capital, social psychology, and community-based organizations seeking the benefits but difficulties of collective change in the form of risk reduction or community problem solving." (Tanya Telfair Sharpe, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 53 (17), April, 2008)

From the Back Cover

Skillfully combining psychological knowledge and humanitarian wisdom, Developing Prosocial Communities across Cultures shows how nurturing environments can be rooted in the common concerns of people and institutions, while giving readers the steps toward achieving this goal. Psychologist/activist Forrest Tyler emphasizes individuals’ collective responsibilities—to themselves, each other, and society—and describes a coordinated balance of discrete social changes brought about by civic action, policy changes initiated by officials, and collaboration between professionals and the community. Instructive examples from locales as varied as Colombia, Jordan, and the United States offer models from which readers can form unique, innovative solutions. And the author’s multicultural/ multiethnic approach clearly maps out the road from theoretical concepts to real-world action: Defining the prosocial community—core characteristics and elemental relationships. Observing communities: assessing their potential for intervention, determining change objectives. Thinking beyond traditional psychological/mental health approaches to community change. Prosocial effects of community projects involving multiple levels of action. Questscope: an extended example of community change in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Tyler’s decades of experience, and the lucid perspective of Developing Prosocial Communities across Cultures, brings social and community psychologists new assurance that social programs can have greater relevance to the people and groups they serve.