Social Psychological Perspectives on American Unrest: A Tool for Educators and Trainers

The events of 2020 generated significant stress that continues to take a toll on mental health in America and calls for an integrated response from psychologists across the field's many subdisciplines. The current article highlights potential "bridges" between health service psychology and recent work in social psychology. Social psychological theories and research are argued to be particularly useful tools that faculty can use to help students understand and respond to recent events, thus enhancing health service psychology education and training. In particular, the current article focuses on social psychological perspectives that can help health service psychology faculty to address the impact of (a) the COVID-19 pandemic, (b) the civil unrest from police violence against Black and Brown bodies, and (c) escalating political division in the United States. Social psychology theories, research findings, principles, and approaches are considered in the context of each topic and are used to inform the recommendations made to educators and trainers. We propose that the integration of social and health service psychology is both natural and necessary for improving our understanding of these and other inherently social problems, and for improving health service psychology education and training moving forward. Public Significance Statement Health service psychologists can use social psychological theories and research to help their students better understand and respond to such recent events as the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest following police killings, and escalating political division. This integrated approach can enhance training and education by increasing students' awareness of social-contextual factors and human motivations.