Discussion 2: Conceptualizing Through the Lens of Development
How might the decisions of parents impact a child’s future? Furthermore, how might a child’s environment help to shape his or her identity?
It is no secret that parents play a large role in a child’s development. In fact, the contributions, actions, and involvement of parents throughout the lifespan are factors that most developmental theories highlight. Another aspect, the experiences with and influences of a child’s environment, is present in many theories as well.
For this Discussion, review the case study at the end of Chapter 1 of The Life Span and this week’s media, “Perspectives: Using Lifespan Development.” Then, select one of the two Discussions below and consider how parents and environments can shape a child’s development.
Discussion A
Post By Day 4 an explanation of the outcomes that you predict for the client and family depicted in the case study. Include why you made these predictions. Describe relevant issues of continuity and change that apply to this case by citing specific references to two of the developmental theories presented in this week’s Learning Resources.
Discussion B
Post by Day 4 an explanation of at least two environmental modifications that might promote positive outcomes for the client and family depicted in the case study. Explain why these modifications might be effective. Be specific about each family member, and cite specific references to this week’s Learning Resources and the current literature.
Readings
- Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
- Chapter 1, “Organizing Themes in Development” (pp. 2-38)
- Kandler, C. Bleidorn, W., Riemann, R., Spinath, F. M., Thiel, W., & Angleitner, A. (2010). Sources of cumulative continuity in personality: A longitudinal multiple-rater twin study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(6), 995–1008.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. - Overton, W. F., & Ennis, M. D. (2006). Cognitive-developmental and behavior-analytic theories: Evolving into complementarity. Human Development, 49(3), 143–172.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. - Sameroff, A. (2010). A unified theory of development: A dialectic integration of nature and nurture. Child Development, 81(1), 6–22.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. - Thelen, E. (2005). Dynamic systems theory and the complexity of change. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 15(2), 255–283.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. - Document: Final Project Guidelines (PDF)
Note: This information is also located on the Final Project Guidelines page in the left navigation area.
Media
- Laureate Education (Producer). (2013k). Perspectives: Using lifespan development [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 10 minutes.
The presenter in this week’s media discusses how counselors are using lifespan development to support clients and inform their counseling approaches.Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript
