Principles and Theories of Community Development: Master the Foundations

Question 1

Which of the following is a core principle of community development?

Accepted Answer

Individual empowerment and community ownership

Answer

A top-down, expert-led approach

Answer

Economic growth as the sole focus of development efforts

Question 2

In community development practice, which principle is considered fundamental?

Accepted Answer

Empowering local communities to actively participate in their own development

Answer

Prioritizing individual needs over collective action

Answer

Relying mainly on external expertise and resources

Question 3

Key principle of community development emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Participatory involvement of community members

Answer

Top-down decision-making by external authorities

Answer

Prioritizing individual needs over collective well-being

Answer

Imposing solutions without local knowledge

Question 4

Primary goal of participatory approaches in community development is to:

Accepted Answer

Involve community members in decision-making

Answer

Delegate responsibilities to local leaders only

Answer

Provide services without community input

Answer

Create dependence on external resources

Question 5

Empowering community members offers the benefit of:

Accepted Answer

Increased self-reliance and problem-solving abilities

Answer

Eliminated need for external support

Answer

Acceptance of imposed decisions

Answer

Complete reliance on handouts

Question 6

Community social workers in community development primarily:

Accepted Answer

Facilitate communication and collaboration

Answer

Directly advocate for community needs

Answer

Provide direct services to individuals exclusively

Answer

Control and manage the development process

Question 7

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of community development that prioritizes involving community members in decision-making and action?

Accepted Answer

Participatory approaches

Answer

Top-down decision-making

Answer

Professional expertise as the sole basis for action

Answer

Imposing solutions from outside the community

Question 8

The concept of 'empowerment' in community development primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

Providing individuals or groups with increased control over their lives and decision-making

Answer

Delegating authority from professionals to community members

Answer

Providing financial assistance to community projects

Answer

Educating community members on social issues

Question 9

Which of the following is not considered a participatory approach in community development?

Accepted Answer

Advocacy by professionals on behalf of communities without their involvement

Answer

Community-led research

Answer

Asset-based community development

Answer

Community organising

Question 10

The 'human capabilities approach' in community development emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Expanding people's choices and opportunities for well-being

Answer

Focusing solely on material wealth and economic growth

Answer

Improving social welfare systems without community involvement

Answer

Addressing social inequalities without considering individual agency

Question 11

The 'ecological model' in community development recognizes the:

Accepted Answer

Interconnectedness of individuals, families, communities, and the broader environment

Answer

Importance of focusing solely on individual behavior change

Answer

Role of social institutions in shaping community development without considering the environment

Answer

Impact of globalisation on local communities without considering local factors

Question 12

According to Paulo Freire's theory of empowerment, what is essential for true liberation?

Accepted Answer

Critical consciousness

Answer

Access to education

Answer

Economic self-sufficiency

Answer

Political power

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a participatory approach in community development?

Accepted Answer

Facilitating community meetings and decision-making

Answer

Top-down planning by external experts

Answer

Imposing solutions based on external research

Answer

Lobbying government for resources

Question 14

What is the role of the community worker in community development?

Accepted Answer

To mobilize and empower the community

Answer

To lead and control the process

Answer

To provide resources and support

Answer

To solve the community's problems

Question 15

What is the 'asset-based approach' in community development?

Accepted Answer

Focusing on the strengths and resources within the community

Answer

Providing external resources to address deficits

Answer

Solving problems using a deficit-based perspective

Answer

Empowering the community regardless of its resources

Question 16

Which theory suggests that communities progress through stages of development?

Accepted Answer

Stage theory by Wilber

Answer

Empowerment theory

Answer

Participatory theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Question 17

Which of the following is the central principle of community development?

Accepted Answer

Empowering local residents to take ownership of their community's development

Answer

Imposing external solutions on a community to address its problems

Answer

Establishing external control over resources and decision-making

Answer

Limiting stakeholder involvement to ensure efficiency

Question 18

What is the key focus of the 'asset-based approach' in community development?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and leveraging existing strengths and resources within the community

Answer

Emphasizing community deficits and problems

Answer

Relying solely on external resources and expertise

Answer

Creating new organizations and structures without regard to existing assets

Question 19

What is the primary role of a community worker in community development?

Accepted Answer

To act as a facilitator and enabler, empowering the community to take ownership

Answer

To serve as an expert with superior knowledge, providing solutions to the community

Answer

To control decision-making, ensuring the community follows a prescribed path

Answer

To directly provide social services, addressing individual needs without involving the community

Question 20

Explain the distinction between 'community participation' and 'community ownership'.

Accepted Answer

Participation involves engagement in decision-making, while ownership implies control over resources and outcomes

Answer

Ownership involves engagement in decision-making, while participation implies control over resources and outcomes

Answer

There is no meaningful difference between the two terms

Answer

Community participation always leads to community ownership

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the ABCD model of community development?

Accepted Answer

Relies heavily on external expertise and government involvement

Answer

Emphasizes leveraging existing community assets

Answer

Encourages collaboration and partnerships within the community

Question 22

What are the fundamental principles of community development theory, and how were these principles applied in a specific community development project?

Accepted Answer

Participation, empowerment, and sustainability

Answer

Individualism, competition, and hierarchy

Answer

Charity, paternalism, and dependency