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Citizen empowerment: a developmental perspective
Prevention in Human Services
|December 7, 1983
Summary
Empowerment, a key concept in community intervention, is viewed as a long-term adult learning process. It involves developing multi-dimensional participatory competence through cognitive and behavioral changes.
Area of Science:
- Social Science
- Community Psychology
- Adult Education
Background:
- The concept of empowerment has gained prominence in social and community intervention discussions since the 1970s.
- Conceptual ambiguity has hindered the practical application of empowerment.
- Existing theories lack a clear framework for understanding empowerment's developmental nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a new conceptualization of empowerment.
- To define empowerment as a long-term process of adult learning and development.
- To describe empowerment as the construction of multi-dimensional participatory competence.
Main Methods:
- A small N qualitative study.
- Focus on emerging citizen leaders in grassroots organizations.
- Analysis of cognitive and behavioral changes associated with empowerment.
Main Results:
- Empowerment is framed as a developmental, long-term learning process.
- Empowerment involves the continuous construction of participatory competence.
- This competence includes both cognitive and behavioral dimensions.
Conclusions:
- Empowerment is an ongoing process of adult learning and development.
- Participatory competence, encompassing cognitive and behavioral aspects, is central to empowerment.
- The proposed framework offers practical implications for community intervention and adult education programs.