Developmental Theoretical Perspectives
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Developmental Theoretical Perspectives
The purpose of this exercise is to describe the developmental theoretical perspective that is vital when assessing the development stage of a client. Change is in most cases inevitable in humans since they are growing throughout their lifespan, from their birth to death. Hence, psychologists try to explain and understand how human beings change throughout their lifetime. Moreover, the developmental theoretical perspectives enable the psychologists to recognize a problem, and use it to provide an early solution for a better result. Nonetheless, developmental psychologists can address issues with individuals of all ages by addressing their roadblocks and supporting their growth.
The different theoretical perspectives used when assessing the development stage of a client include Piaget’s theory of cognitive development that is used to assess the intellectual development in children because it outlines the major stages that children undergo as they are learning. The second theoretical perspective is Bowlby’s theory of attachment that is used to examine how the relationship between children and caregivers affects their behaviour. Next is Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development and Vygotsky’s theory of sociocultural development that examines how social relationships influence the development of both adults and children. The developmental theoretical perspectives tend to stress the various aspects of development such as social, mental and parental influences on the growth and progress in children.
In the case is still facing the adolescent psychological turmoil, this influence is affecting her identity formation. Sarah was raped by her uncle, and this new test limit and exploration makes her feel and experience a new identity. The new experience has caused her to explore many questions in her mind of who she is and who she wants to be. Sarah needs a developmental psychologist to immediately address the challenges she is passing through that include social pressure ad emotional turmoil that her uncle has caused.
The issues affecting Sarah include terrifying because she is in fear to mention what her uncle did to her. Moreover, her fear might be what her uncle might do if she mentions it because the uncle already has said that is Sarah who seduced him. Another issue affecting Sarah is guilty and shame of sleeping with her uncle, she cannot even go out as she used to go. Lastly, Sarah is also feeling anxious and withdrawn about what she will do to get relieved of what her uncle did.
In the theoretical perspective of the case of Sarah, she is at the puberty stage, and at this stage, the adolescent is sexually and physically mature. Her thinking at this stage has become abstract and complex. Sarah is now driven to learn more about herself, become independent from her parent, and create her own goals and values. She feels guilty because, at this stage, she knows about everything about sex and the influence will persist until when she is 21.
Social workers use Erikson’s theory of psychological development by resolving two conflicting ideas that make a person confident. The social workers master conflicting ideas because a failure will lead to the feeling of inadequacy. Also, the social workers utilize cultural implications that comprise of certain cultures required to solve the stages in several ways based upon survival and cultural needs.
The strength in the case of Sarah is her having the confidence of fighting for her issues, without involving anyone. Sarah pretends to be right by not telling her mother about the incident, she even goes to church without her mother’s realization. However, the weaknesses in the case of Sarah are her fears because she does not have the confidence to tell her mother what her uncle did, the weakness is what makes her feel guilty and shame.