Collaborative Family Work Model To Erikson's Theory Of Human Development

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Human development can be defined as a progressive series of changes that occur in a predictable pattern as a result of interactions between biological and environmental factors (Salkind, 2004). To date, a range of different theorist have proposed explanations as to how human development takes place (Salkind, 2004). This literature review will explore the developmental theories proposed by Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson, by drawing on research presented in a wide variety of material found in academic journals. A thorough analysis of this literature will include an application of the developmental theories to social work practice with children, youth and families. Thus, this review will effectively apply the Collaborative Family Work Model to …show more content…
Erikson considered that human development is influenced by contact with their environment, that includes; the individuals’ family, home, genetic endowment, community, culture, ethnicity, education, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, sexual orientation and physiology (Thyer et al., 2012). Erikson’s psychosocial stages allows the social worker to view a client’s functioning over time and in the light of stage-specific factors as the theory falls into a person-in-situation construct (Thyer et al., 2012). The perspective can be used to guide the social worker’s thinking about an individual’s successes in meeting developmental transitions (Thyer et al., 2012). Thus, the theory enables social workers to consider the relationship that the client holds in themselves and the environment in which they live in (Thyer et al., 2012). This will assist the social worker to identify the nature of the problem, evaluate the problem within a framework and then use that framework as a guide of intervention (Thyer et al., 2012). Whether the problem originates within the individual or family, the focus of assessment for the social worker is to bring together the various aspects of the crisis, order these facets in an orderly manner and to then select effective interventions based on this assessment (Greene, 2000). The interventions will also be directed at assisting the individual to have an understanding about the concerns and opportunities associated with the crisis (Greene,