Theories of Human Development Flashcards
Social Learning Theory (Social Cognitive Theory)
Learning occurs by observing others and modeling their behavior.
Application: understand how role models affect the behaviors and moods in those social workers work with. Can then form intervention strategies that use positive modeling and reinforcement to create new positive behaviors in clients.
Systems Theory
People are products of complex systems, rather than individuals who act in isolation. Behavior is influenced by a variety of factors that work together as a syster. Factors can include family, friends, social settings, religious structure, economic class and home environment.
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory holds that all societies are inherently unequal, and that power disparities have a direct impact on people’s lives. Often attributed to Karl Marx, conflict theories point to an array of socioeconomic, racial, and class differentials that contribute to significant gaps in opportunity, quality of life, and even longevity. Marx argued that conflict is inherent and necessary as a way of resisting or overthrowing structural inequality.
Application: Conflict theory provides an explanation for the ways that power differentials impact the daily lives of individuals and communities. Social workers address these asymmetric power relationships by helping to confront both the sources and symptoms of inequality.
Psychosocial development theory
Developed by Erik Erikson who believed personality develops in a series of 8 stages:
Trust versus mistrust Autonomy versus shame and doubt Initiative versus guilt Industry versus inferiority Identity versus confusion Intimacy versus isolation Generativity versus stagnation Integrity versus despair
In psychosocial development theory, humans are believed to go through these stages as they age.
Application: look at what stage of development clients are going through and use the theory to better understand the challenges their clients are experiencing during certain stages of psychosocial development.
Psychodynamic theory
Sigmund Freud. This theory is founded on the idea that humans are biologically driven to seek gratification. The theory states that people do this based on processes that have developed outside of conscious awareness, with origins in childhood experiences. This drive influences everyday behavior, leading to actions like aggression, sex and self-preservation.
Application: can help to explain the internal processes individuals use to guide their behavior, some of which may be unconsciously motivated. Social workers may also examine how early childhood experiences have played a role in influencing their clients’ behavior today.
Social exchange theory
Theory created by George Homans. It says that relationships are based on cost-benefit analysis. Each person seeks to maximize their benefits and is expected to reciprocate for the benefits they’ve received. When risks outweigh potential rewards, relationships may be abandoned. When one person in a relationship has greater personal resources than another, that person is predicted to have greater power as well.
Application: helps understand the relationships clients have with others and why they continue to maintain certain relationships or abandon them.
Social exchange theory can influence how social workers position the social worker-client relationship as one that benefits their clients.
Rational choice theory
Helps explain why people make the choices they do, as people weigh risks, costs and benefits before making decisions. This theory says that all choices are rational because people calculate the costs and benefits before making a decision. Even when a choice seems irrational, there was reasoning behind it.
Application: Helps social workers understand the decision-making processes and motivations of their clients. Using rational choice theory, social workers can examine how their clients make decisions based on their rational preferences.
