Human Behavior and the Social Environment
Social work has long recognized the relationship between the behavior of an individual and the environment in which the individual interacts (Hutchison, 2008). Human behavior theories offer a framework to organize, interpret and understand this relationship (Hutchison, 2008). For this case study, the following three theories will be examined for relevancy: Life cycle theory, role theory and resiliency theory.
Life Cycle Theory
Psychosocial development throughout the Life Cycle theory (sometimes known as individual development theory) proposes that each individual has the ability to master their environment at all stages of life (Coady & Lehman, 2008; Hutchison, 2008). The theory had its beginnings in Freud’s psychosexual stages of child development; however Erikson is responsible for laying the groundwork for the theory as it is known today, by proposing an epigenetic model of human development (Hutchison, 2008).
The main tenant of the psychosocial development theory throughout the life cycle is that an individual’s personality is held to unfold over the course of their life, with healthy development based on the ability of the individual to master tasks and skills at each level or stage of life (Coady & Lehman, 2008; Hutchison, 2008). Erikson’s original model sectioned the life span into eight levels with each containing its own unique psychosocial challenge or conflict which, depending on the outcome, would help the individual experience positive growth (Coady & Lehman, 2008; (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2005/2011; Hutchison, 2008). The eighth stage encompasses late adulthood, where the conflict experienced is that of integrity versus despair. If an individual has experienced successful o...
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...amilies in Society, 86(3), 367-373. doi:10.1606/1044-3894.3434
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Erikson’s theory, developed in 1963, supports the idea that early life experiences impact an individual across their lifespan. This theory considers that the growth of an individual is a result of interaction with the environment, biological maturation and societal influences, therefore, allowing for experiences from early life, to influence an individual throughout their lifespan (White, Hayes, and Livesey, 2009). Erikson’s theory focuses on eight different developmental stages within a lifespan and in order to progress from one stage to another, an individual must overcome a potential crisis of two opposing forces at each stage. There are two types of resolution of each stage, successful and unsuccessful. If an individual is
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Lifespan development is discontinuous. It is a process in which new ways of understanding and responding to the world emerge at specific times. Although there is evidence that indicates that both continuous and discontinuous contributes to lifespan development, I believe that most of life can be described as discontinuous. Psychoanalytic perspective states that people go through a series of stages in which they confront conflicts between biological drives and social expectations, how they resolve these conflicts determines the person’s ability to learn, get along with others and to cope with anxiety. This theory explains that during this period of the child’s life they will set the course for the rest of their life based on these conflicts
Being aware of what life course one’s on and the impact of transitions within a person’s life course is important for social work practice. It is important that social workers reflect on both their own and other’s experiences throughout the life course and support this understanding within the various theoretical frameworks. It helps us to understand the common themes which have affected people through the age and helps us understand why people behave the way they do in certain situations.“Understanding of life course aims to encourage us in the flexibility of imagination which is required in order to enter into the lives of people at different ages and to see the world from their point of view” (Sudbery, 2010, p.231).
Resilience and hardiness has long been a topic of research and discussion within different paradigms and fields of study, for example, in military psychology, psychiatry, health statistics and measurement, medical anthropology, education, medicine and organizational settings. Resilience means the skills, abilities, acquaintance, and insight that accumulate over time as people struggle to conquer adversity and meet challenges. It is an ongoing and developing fund of energy and skill that can be used in current struggles (Saleebey, 1996; Liebenberg, 2005).Most commonly, the term resilience has come to mean an individual's ability to overcome adversity and continue his or her normal development.
This class, Social Work Theory & Practice was made to be able to introduce me to social work theories, ideas, and skills needed to work in the social work profession. This class main tool used was a book called A Brief Introduction of Social Work Theory by David Howe which discusses social work theories in a compressive and explainable way. This class is important to my higher learning because it break down the theories that I will need to use during my practice and a...
This approach has become the stimulus for a number of similar theories which share the same assumptions on psychological development, yet differ in detail. (Gross, R, 2007) Erik Erikson, a neo-freudian himself accepted Freud’s theory but whereas the psychodynamic approach focuses on five main stages of development until adulthood, Erikson theorised that development is lifelong and continues throughout life until death. (Psychology for A Level 2000)
There are several theories surrounding the aging adult and what successful aging embodies. A common theme of successful aging is one’s wellness. Wellness in relation to health is represented and encompassed by balance among one’s emotional, social, spiritual, physicality, and culture. As demographics begin to change in our country, new and changing definitions of what successful aging means among our society are developed through research and practice of caring for those within the population of older adults.
Resilience is defined as an important quality that enables people to cope with unfavorable situations and find ways to overcome the negative results. According to Allender, Rector, and Warner (2014I), people with resilience would have the required qualities to bounce back against threats and stressful situations, and recoil with an attitude of dominance, capability, and aspiration (p. 556). Thus, because of all its susceptibilities, the homeless population should be regarded and treated in a way that could encourage survival through personal’s ability to react positively to conflicting situations. Many studies have mentioned the relationship between an individual’s prior experiences with its form of resiliency, however they also emphasized on the individual’s education level, work training and qualifications, and other life’s experiences to help cope with difficult moment.
Even if there are only a few studies which have focused on what might work for the students to promote resilience , Kinman and Grant(2011), state that a resilient social worker will be able to:
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