Deck 11: Empowerment and Citizen Participation

Question 1

In her story in Chapter 11,Alison Smith described herself as a "behind-the-scenes type of person",yet she became involved in citizen participation,eventually helping to:

A)lead efforts for campaign finance reform
B)raise money for a political candidate
C)lead a neighborhood association in New York City
D)both 'b' and 'c'

Answer 1

lead efforts for campaign finance reform

Question 2

"A process in which individuals take part in decision-making in the institutions,program and environments that affect them" is a definition of:

A)citizen leadership.
B)community service.
C)citizen participation.
D)participant conceptualization.

Answer 2

citizen participation.

Question 3

Empowerment of one individual or group,at the expense of other groups,raises the issue of how to balance empowerment with values such as:

A)sense of community
B)social justice
C)both 'a' and 'b'
D)empirical grounding

Answer 3

both 'a' and 'b'

Question 4

Libby,the manager of a hardware store,has the power to give orders to her employees and expect their compliance.This is an example of what form of power?

A)power over
B)power to
C)power from
D)both 'a' and 'c'

Question 5

Citizen participation is a(n)___ ,while empowerment also involves ____ ,caring,and other psychological processes.

A)emotion;respect
B)behavior;cognition
C)cognition;behavior
D)emotion;cognition

Question 6

A community group discusses all decisions fully,allowing all members a chance to participate,although this takes longer and sometimes means a decision must be delayed.The group is committed to doing this whether or not it leads to better decisions.This represents the use of citizen participation as:

A)a means of gaining more power.
B)an end in itself,or a basic value of democracy.
C)a technique for streamlining decisions.
D)both "a" and "c"

Question 7

Individuals,small groups,organizations or communities can be empowered.Thus empowerment is a:

A)multilevel construct.
B)contextual process.
C)cognitive process.
D)emotion.

Question 8

Writing a letter to the editor,debating the budget at a school board meeting,testifying for a Congressional committee,and helping to create a community coalition to address youth violence,are examples of what concept in Chapter 11?

A)citizen participation
B)critical awareness
C)referent power
D)the power to influence how issues are framed

Question 9

A common myth about public life is that it is only for celebrities,activists,and people who like to be in the spotlight.Lappe and DuBois argue that:

A)this is true in reality
B)public life interferes with private life
C)we are all in public life,since it affects each of us
D)all of the above

Question 10

Having members of a group discuss and vote on all decisions,because this increases their commitment to carrying out those decisions,is based on thinking of citizen participation as:

A)a means of better group functioning.
B)an end in itself.
C)an essential value for a democratic group.
D)both "b" and "c"

Question 11

"An intentional process centered in the local community,involving mutual respect,critical reflection,caring and group participation,through which people lacking an equal share of resources gain greater access to those resources."

A)citizen participation
B)critical awareness
C)empowerment
D)effective leadership

Question 12

Nguyen is able to go to college and to pursue his dream of becoming a psychologist.This capacity illustrates what form of power?

A)power over
B)power to
C)referent power
D)reward power

Question 13

Teaching a child to read and helping others in a mutual help group are examples of ____ .Voicing concerns at a school board meeting and voting in an election are examples of ____ .

A)social support;critical awareness
B)community service;leadership
C)community service;citizen participation
D)referent power;integrative power

Question 14

Empowerment occurs as resources are acquired over time.Thus it is:

A)a stable personality trait.
B)a result of individual development.
C)a result of referent power.
D)a dynamic process.

Question 15

Empowerment as community psychologists use the term occurs through:

A)a top-down process.
B)participation in a group or organization.
C)personality development.
D)changes in individual cognitions.

Question 16

Common myths about public life are that it involves nasty conflict and pursuing one's own selfish interests.Lappe and DuBois disagree,arguing that:

A)conflict isn't always nasty,and can lead to growth
B)our own interests often overlap with others' interests
C)public life interferes with private life
D)both 'a' and 'b'

Question 17

In his story in Chapter 11,Cameron Dary led efforts to make a railroad crossing in his town safer,by:

A)helping to organize his friends
B)collecting information on the problem
C)meeting with the city council
D)all of the above

Question 18

When individuals take part in making decisions in a setting,they are engaged in:

A)critical awareness.
B)citizen participation.
C)peer social support.
D)both "a" and "b"

Question 19

The ability to pursue one's own goals;the power of self-determination.

A)power over
B)power to
C)referent power
D)legitimate power

Question 20

The ability to compel or order others is what form of power?

A)power over
B)power to
C)integrative power
D)referent power

Question 21

Felipe has considerable power in his neighborhood organization,but not at work.This illustrates that power is:

A)contextual.
B)an internal quality.
C)best understood as feeling powerful.
D)both 'b' and 'c'

Question 22

Advocating for one's views,mobilizing community resources,building collaborative relationships with peers,and mentoring others illustrate what personal quality of citizen participation and empowerment?

A)sense of personal participatory efficacy
B)participatory skills
C)critical awareness
D)relational connections

Question 23

Gaventa's definition of the three instruments of social power includes the power to bargain,reward and punish,as well as the power to

A)make decisions for the group or locality.
B)determine who is elected to office.
C)influence how community issues are defined.
D)both "a" and "b"

Question 24

Because her workplace has a sexual harassment policy that is enforced,Martha has the power to resist harassment when it occurs.This is an example what form of power?

A)power over
B)expert power
C)power from
D)legitimate power

Question 25

Kieffer's study of empowerment among citizen activists,and Watts et al.'s study of sociopolitical development among African American youth,illustrated the intertwining of:

A)growth and conflict.
B)action and reflection.
C)individual and community action.
D)all of the above

Question 26

In the Walkill River example in Chapter 11,local citizens were effectively excluded from the process of making a decision that affected the local environment.This exclusion illustrates which of Gaventa's instruments of social power?

A)the power to bargain,reward and punish
B)control of channels of participation in making decisions
C)control of how issues are framed and discussed
D)referent power

Question 27

Studies of block associations and neighborhood organizations in U.S.cities have documented a close connection between:

A)feeling empowered and exercising actual power.
B)informal neighboring and sense of collective efficacy.
C)sense of community and citizen participation.
D)both 'b' and 'c'

Question 28

Through research,Virginia Ramirez and other citizens discovered that city officials took money that was supposed to be spent in Virginia's neighborhood and spent it instead on a street in an affluent neighborhood.This understanding of an unjust decision illustrates which personal quality of citizen participation and empowerment?

A)critical awareness
B)sense of collective efficacy
C)participatory skills
D)relational connections

Question 29

Through working with fellow citizens,Deborah has developed supportive friendships and bridging ties with allies.She also has learned that citizens working together can make positive changes in their communities.These lessons learned illustrate which two personal qualities of citizen participation and empowerment?

A)critical awareness,sense of personal participatory efficacy
B)relational connections and sense of collective efficacy
C)participatory skills and sense of collective efficacy
D)relational connections and participatory skills

Question 30

Gaventa's definition of the three instruments of social power includes the power to bargain,reward and punish,as well as the power to

A)determine who participates in making decisions.
B)determine who is elected to office.
C)form community coalitions.
D)both "a" and "b"

Question 31

Rowena,a citizen activist,is known for her skillful use of the media to influence public opinion.This involves which of Gaventa's instruments of social power?

A)the power to bargain,reward and punish
B)control of channels of participation in making decisions
C)control of how issues are framed and discussed
D)referent power

Question 32

Power is best understood not as a personal or internal characteristic,but:

A)as feeling powerful.
B)as occurring in relationships.
C)as something you may have in one situation but not in another situation.
D)both 'b' and 'c'

Question 33

In the Case of Sugar Creek,a narrative about citizen participation in an environmental dispute,formal participatory processes

A)were considered equally fair and effective by all stakeholders
B)were not as successful as "unofficial" avenues for citizen participation
C)privileged the citizens' agenda to compensate for past regulatory failures
D)provided citizens more of a voice than informal processes

Question 34

Mitchell is a committed social activist who is motivated by his religious faith and sense of being "called" to this work.This commitment illustrates which personal quality of citizen participation and empowerment?

A)critical awareness
B)participatory skills
C)participatory values
D)sense of personal participatory efficacy

Question 35

Through membership in a citizens' group,Patricia has developed skills for active participation and group leadership,and has learned how to gather people's talents,time,and enthusiasm to advocate for changes in their community.Patricia has developed which personal qualities for citizen participation and empowerment?

A)leadership
B)a bottom-up perspective
C)participatory skills
D)critical awareness

Question 36

Roberto learned through his experiences with community organizations that citizens working together can initiate changes in their communities,and that he personally has a capacity to be a leader in those efforts.These lessons learned illustrate which personal quality of citizen participation and empowerment?

A)sense of personal participatory efficacy
B)sense of collective efficacy
C)participatory values and commitment
D)both 'a' and 'b'

Question 37

The power of persons acting collectively;"people power".

A)power to
B)power over
C)legitimate power
D)integrative power

Question 38

Kieffer's study of empowerment among citizen activists,and Watts et al.'s study of sociopolitical development among African American youth,illustrated the intertwining of:

A)an inspiring vision of liberation with everyday actions.
B)action and reflection.
C)understanding power and how it could be changed.
D)all of the above

Question 39

Questioning the status quo and existing authorities,searching for underlying causes,and an understanding of power in social life illustrate what personal quality of citizen participation and empowerment?

A)mobilizing resources
B)participatory skills
C)relational connections
D)critical awareness

Question 40

In her story in Chapter 11,Virginia Ramirez became involved in citizen participation initially because of ____ ,and later led efforts to ____ .

A)her background in a family of political leaders;obtain city funding for her neighborhood
B)the death of her neighbor;create better jobs and promote job training
C)her leadership experience at work;unionize workers at her workplace
D)her background in a family of political leaders;create better jobs for her community

Question 41

Research on empowering community settings indicates that they can increase member participation by:

A)creating niches or roles for members to fill.
B)creating incentives for participating,and removing barriers to participating such as lack of child care.
C)running meetings that have a clear focus,and making decisions by involving the membership.
D)all of the above

Question 42

Informal neighboring,sense of collective efficacy,and sense of community all are correlated with:

A)participation in neighborhood associations.
B)neighborhood problems.
C)shared,inspiring leadership.
D)top-down empowerment.

Question 43

FAIR is a community organization that wields considerable influence over decisions made by local government.However,the leaders of this group make many decisions for the group without consulting the membership.FAIR is thus:

A)an empowering but not an empowered organization.
B)an empowered but not an empowering organization
C)an empowering and an empowered organization.
D)neither empowering nor empowered.

Question 44

CARE is a mutual help group that has traditions and methods for involving its members actively in mutual support,publicizing and leading meetings,and the other work of the group.However,GROW does not attempt to influence its wider community or other organizations;it exists solely to facilitate the support and well-being of its members.CARE is thus:

A)an empowering but not an empowered organization.
B)an empowered but not an empowering organization
C)an empowering and an empowered organization.
D)neither empowering nor empowered.

Question 45

Describe four factors shown in research to be associated with citizen participation in urban block and neighborhood associations.

Question 46

Recruiting and genuinely involving diverse members,including in the group leadership,and using boundary spanning to bridge differences between subgroups,are ways that community organizations can:

A)become more representative of their communities.
B)promote participation by all segments of their communities.
C)both 'a' and 'b'
D)become empowered but not empowering settings.

Question 47

Define and give examples of Gaventa's three instruments of social power.

Question 48

The research cited in Chapter 11 showed that citizen participation in neighborhood associations is correlated with both:

A)sense of collective efficacy,and dissatisfaction with neighborhood problems.
B)sense of community and personal dominance.
C)neighboring and social support.
D)peer social support and power over.

Question 49

Define and give examples of five personal qualities of citizen participation and empowerment.Indicate how each form is different from the others.

Question 50

Research on empowering community settings indicates that they can become more representative of their communities by:

A)recruiting and genuinely involving diverse members.
B)using boundary spanning to bridge differences in viewpoints and between subgroups.
C)making leadership diverse,not just membership.
D)all of the above

Question 51

Define citizen participation and empowerment;indicate how they are different from one another,yet related;and give examples of each.

Question 52

Define the difference between empowering and empowered community organizations,and give examples to illustrate this difference.

Question 53

Research discussed in Chapter 11 indicated that members of empowering settings emphasize the capabilities of group members for meeting group and individual goals.This illustrates:

A)a group-based,strengths-based belief system.
B)opportunity role structures.
C)peer social support systems.
D)shared,inspiring leadership.

Question 54

Discuss and give examples of how power is contextual and occurs in relationships,and how it is not simply feeling powerful.

Question 55

Research discussed in Chapter 11 indicated that empowering settings provide ways for any member to become involved in the work of the group.This illustrates:

A)a group-based,strengths-based belief system.
B)opportunity role structures or participatory niches.
C)a clear task focus.
D)shared,inspiring leadership.

Question 56

Define and give examples of multiple forms of power - including power over,power to,power from,and integrative power - as discussed in Chapter 11.Indicate how each form is similar to or different from the others.

Question 57

Research discussed in Chapter 11 indicated that empowering settings provide opportunities for interpersonal contact and exchange of resources among group members.This represents the element of:

A)a group-based,strengths-based belief system.
B)opportunity role structures.
C)peer social support systems.
D)shared,inspiring leadership.

Question 58

In Chapter 11,Block Booster strengthened the capacity of block associations by:

A)collecting survey data on participation from their members and summarizing it for the leaders
B)conducting workshops for leaders on how to promote participation by members and residents of the block
C)both 'a' and 'b'
D)building a publicity campaign for block associations

Question 59

Research on empowering community settings indicates that they can build solidarity among members by:

A)building a shared belief system based on the group's strengths.
B)enabling exchange of social support among members.
C)fostering shared,inspiring leadership.
D)all of the above

Question 60

Define empowerment as community psychologists do,including how it is multilevel,contextual,collective,and a process.

Question 61

Based on Chapter 11,describe advantages and limitations or dilemmas of citizen participation and/or empowerment.

Question 62

Define and give examples of five features of empowering practices and settings,including at least one relating to participation and at least one relating to diversity.

Question 63

Choose two of the following and describe the process for each: 1)how Block Booster promoted improved block associations,2)how Highlander Research and Education Center contributed to civil rights leadership and democracy education,3)how a Family Resource Center put empowerment values into practice.