ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the details of community social psychology as a potential ally of positive psychology. It argues that positive psychology could be better integrated within the Latin American context if it drew on the richness of models and practices found in liberation social psychology and community social psychology. The kind of social order is becoming internalized to uphold a particular kind of individual and social worldview, which we call the "romantic imposture." Social psychology in North America and Europe underwent a crisis of relevance, being accused of caring more about attaining scientific legitimacy than being involved in more practical issues. Latin American social psychology gradually shifted from a descriptive and neutral stance aimed at achieving purported scientific status to one that was actively aimed at transforming social reality. Since every community has its own peculiarities and unique history, the enhancement of people's awareness must take place within the possibilities offered by the social context.
