Empowerment and Community Action: Empowering Individuals and Communities

Question 1

In participatory action research, what is the central role of community members?

Accepted Answer

Collaboratively investigating and addressing issues alongside researchers.

Answer

Solely conducting research and taking action without external support.

Answer

Serving as passive subjects of research conducted by outsiders.

Answer

Taking action without conducting thorough research.

Question 2

Which strategy is considered most effective in empowering marginalized communities?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging community-led initiatives

Answer

Providing access to education and resources

Answer

Imposing solutions from external experts

Answer

Focusing on individual empowerment without addressing systemic issues

Question 3

What is a key element of 'community capacity building'?

Accepted Answer

Developing skills and resources within the community

Answer

Outsourcing all community development projects

Answer

Reliance on external expertise

Answer

Ignoring the local context

Question 4

What is an essential skill for a community worker engaged in empowerment work?

Accepted Answer

Active listening and communication

Answer

Technical expertise in specific fields

Answer

Political affiliation

Answer

Personal charisma

Question 5

Which of the following is a feature of a 'bottom-up' approach to community development?

Accepted Answer

Decisions are made by community leaders at the local level

Answer

Experts from outside the community lead the process

Answer

The community has little say in the process

Answer

Funding is provided without community consultation

Question 6

Which approach to empowering individuals involves developing their capacity to analyze and solve problems?

Accepted Answer

Skill development

Answer

Community organizing

Answer

Mentoring

Answer

Microfinance

Question 7

Which is a guiding principle of participatory community development?

Accepted Answer

Engaging residents in the decision-making process

Answer

Focusing solely on infrastructure improvements

Answer

Relying heavily on external expertise

Answer

Implementing plans from the top-down

Question 8

How do community development workers primarily foster empowerment?

Accepted Answer

Facilitating empowerment by building capacity and encouraging participation

Answer

Imposing solutions and leading the empowerment process

Answer

Prioritizing their own empowerment above the community's

Answer

Providing resources without involving the community in decision-making

Question 9

Which of the following is **not** a key principle of empowerment?

Accepted Answer

External control

Answer

Self-determination

Answer

Social justice

Answer

Community ownership

Question 10

Which of the following is **not** a key element of sustainable community development?

Accepted Answer

Government dependency

Answer

Environmental preservation

Answer

Social equity

Answer

Economic prosperity

Question 11

What is a participatory approach to community development primarily characterized by?

Accepted Answer

Active involvement of community members in planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects

Answer

Top-down decision-making by external experts with limited community input

Answer

Exclusive focus on providing material resources to communities without addressing underlying issues

Answer

Exclusion of community members from decision-making processes

Question 12

How does power manifest in community development?

Accepted Answer

Power can be utilized to empower or disempower individuals and communities

Answer

Power is an obstacle that must be overcome in community development

Answer

Power is irrelevant to the processes and outcomes of community development

Answer

Power should be concentrated in the hands of a select few community leaders

Question 13

Which characteristic is central to empowerment approaches in community development?

Accepted Answer

Distributing power and shared accountability

Answer

Enforcing external authority and directives

Answer

Concentrating decision-making authority

Answer

Promoting reliance on external resources

Question 14

In empowerment initiatives, identifying those with the most influence and authority is crucial. This principle is known as:

Accepted Answer

Power Analysis

Answer

Beneficiary Focus

Answer

Community Ownership

Answer

Stakeholder Involvement

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a key element of empowerment?

Accepted Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Critical consciousness

Answer

Self-determination

Answer

Collaboration

Question 16

A community-based organization (CBO) empowers individuals and communities primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Providing resources and support while respecting community autonomy

Answer

Overlooking the lived experiences and perspectives of community members

Answer

Dictating solutions to problems without community input

Answer

Hiring external experts to address community issues, rather than fostering local capacity

Question 17

Which strategy for empowering individuals involves raising awareness, challenging oppressive structures, and promoting critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Critical pedagogy

Answer

Service learning (combining academic study with community service)

Answer

Community organizing (mobilizing community members to advocate for change)

Answer

Asset mapping (identifying and leveraging community strengths)

Question 18

A comprehensive community action plan should be:

Accepted Answer

Developed in collaboration with community members, incorporating their perspectives and priorities

Answer

Based solely on statistical data, disregarding qualitative community insights

Answer

Imposed by external authorities without community consultation

Question 19

Which of the following is a common barrier to community empowerment?

Accepted Answer

Lack of access to resources and opportunities

Answer

Clearly defined community goals and objectives

Answer

Strong and effective leadership within the community

Answer

Abundant community support and involvement

Question 20

The concept of 'collective efficacy' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The shared belief in a community's ability to achieve its goals through collective action

Answer

The influence of powerful individuals on community decision-making

Answer

The effectiveness of external organizations and interventions in empowering communities

Question 21

A successful community empowerment initiative should aim to:

Accepted Answer

Empower individuals and communities to sustainably address their own challenges and build resilience

Answer

Focus primarily on individual change, neglecting collective community action

Answer

Create dependency on external support, undermining community self-reliance

Question 22

Which of the following is a characteristic of a community with high social capital?

Accepted Answer

Strong social networks, reciprocity, and shared values

Answer

Lack of shared goals and community cohesion

Answer

High levels of inequality, distrust, and social isolation

Answer

Limited civic engagement and participation

Question 23

Community empowerment involves:

Accepted Answer

Shifting power and control to community members, enabling them to make decisions and take action

Answer

Dictating solutions to community problems, disempowering community members

Answer

Empowering only select individuals within the community, creating divisions and inequality

Answer

Maintaining the status quo and existing power structures, preventing community change