Community psychology, as a profession, was born in 1965 and showed much promise. Unfortunately, it has been content to rest on its humanistic and systems-oriented perspective instead of using it as a foundation upon which to empirically build the necessary research, service, and training bases. Issues central to community psychology's evolving self-definition include: (1) identity as a discipline and profession; (2) appropriate settings for research and practice; and (3) relationship to social and economic trends. Both a grounding in its roots and an ability to adapt to external developments are indicated for survival. Promising directions into which community psychology may expand its work include program evaluation, self-help and other community groups, network building, community mental health, and business and industry. (Author/JAC)