Theories in Planning for Clients - Essay Example

Reflective paper on how psychologists integrate the study of human development with theories in planning for The 19th and 20th century witnessed various developments in the study of human development and psychologists all over the world have benefited a lot from the integration of these studies on human development; these studies have been instrumental for the psychologists in planning theories for their clients. The psycho analytical theories propagated by Sigmund Freud and his followers have been of immense help to the psychologists in treating their clients, because it has been proved that many of the diseases of the clients are more of psychological than biological. Similarly, developments in the fields of Humanist theories, Learning theories, Cognitive theories, and behavioral theories have also opened new horizons of knowledge for the psychologists in dealing with their clients. This paper reflects on the major human development theories and analyses how far they have contributed in identifying and resolving the mental, Psychological, behavioral and physical problems of clients. To begin with, one can never undermine the contributions made by the Psycho Analytic theorists in understanding human development and problems associated with the developmental stages of clients. G. Stanley Hall, who tried to make a detailed study on Darwin’s evolutionary theory attempting to correlate childhood with previous ages of mankind, made his greatest achievement in his child centered research. His seminal book The contents of children’s minds, published in 1883, tried to resolve the history and the means of progress of mankind by the findings of what children know and when they learn it. Hall also accepted Sigmund Freud’s sexuality theory and believed that the sexualized energies of boys have to be promoted, channeled and managed. He is known as ‘the father of adolescence.’ Though his work has been considered outdated his ideas are still applicable in education, scouting and team sports. (G. Stanley Hall (1844-1924)). Similarly, psychologists draw conclusions from Hall’s theories have which facilitated in identifying adolescent problems and in treating them. Hall’s theories are widely applied in the field of special education and they have proved to be highly beneficial in offering “individualized services for adolescents in grades 6-12 who have experienced depression, withdrawal, low self-esteem, socialization problems, learning disabilities, post traumatic stress disorder, or self-injurious behaviors” (G. Stanley Hall School). The term psycho analytic theory is originated with study of the great psychologist Sigmund Freud. According to him the different stages of child hood and the oppressed feelings and desires certainly influence the behavior of a person to a great extent. These stages, in his opinion, are a series of psycho sexual periods in which all the conflicts that occur have a life long effect. Freud’s theory has ever been an issue for enormous controversy for its sex oriented features. He describes the pleasure seeking energies (psycho sexual energy) of childhood which is the driving force behind every individual’s behavior. Personality would be healthy or unhealthy, according to how successful the completion of the five stages was. If any conflict is happened a fixation is occurred. For example, a fixation at the oral stage might force a person to seek oral stimulation through drinking, smoking or eating. (Wagner, Freud’s Stages of Psychosexual Development). Freud believed that the personality of every individual is framed by the age of five and as a result most of the mental and psychological problems, according to him, have their roots in the early childhood of the person. This finding has been of immense help for the clinic psychologists all over the world. Similarly his division of the human mind into the conscious, subconscious and unconscious and his conclusion that the answers to most of the diseases of the person lie in his unconscious or subconscious mind have paved the way for psycho therapy by which the psychologists try to delve deep into the unknown of the patient. Freud’s theories commenced a new era on the study of psychology gaining him a number of followers. Among them Erikson was the outstanding figure who added to Freud’s fame by introducing an ‘eight stage theory’ of psychosocial development. In this study he mainly describes the influence of social interactions and conflicts in a person’s life during these eight stages of development. (Wagner, Psychoanalytic Theories). Erikson elaborated the theory of Freud in to an eight stages of life long growth and change influenced by the social interactions and conflicts, whereas Freud believed that personality is formed by the age of five. Erickson’s theories have been helpful for the psychologists in hypnotic and therapy treatments and he believed that there is a direct relation between cure and association of human experience. Carl Gustav Jung was another eminent personality, who Freud thought would continue his theory but eventually turned to be an opponent. Jung postulated his famous personality theory which is based on the power of unconscious mind, its dreams and fantasies. In his study he speaks about two types of unconscious; one is Personal unconscious and the other is collective unconscious. According to him dreams have their own purpose and intention. Many psychologists even today apply his treatment methodology and the t theory of categorizing people, according to their introversive or extroversive nature (Term Paper on Theories and Treatment). Carl Rogers, Jean Piaget, and Abraham Moslow, were the other famous humanistic theorists who have contributed much to the study of human development and brought about some remarkable theories for modern psychologists to treat their clients. Carl Rogers introduced his client centered theory and the client centered therapy (CCT). The concept of this CCT is that people tend to move toward growth and healing and gradually will have the capacity to find their answers. So according to this theory psychologists usually listen and understand the things from the client’s point of view and check that understanding with the client. It also suggests the therapist to be transparent and congruent. (Ryan). All these studies have been helping the psychologists for centuries to plan the human development programs. The modern concept of personal development is more than skill training. Palm Weight a UK based psycho therapist has contributed much to the modern integrated approach to personal development. It includes integrated techniques, theories and behavioral concepts which would help the over all development of a human being. The human development actually begins with the nature and nurture. There are certain factors like the genetic features and conception that determine the personality. Since the birth of child it is influenced by the nature and the nurturing process. Along with these the other developments happen as brain development, motor development, cognitive development, social development and emotional development. So the modern humanist theories focus on the human potential different from the early concept which referred human as being programmed for growth or possibly restricted by environment. According to this perspective the key to happiness and success is a positive self-esteem. A humanist with this modern view believes that people are good enough to acquire self improvement. According to Palm Weight’s ‘energy psychology theory’ if the meridian system balance is disturbed there will be a physical manifestation which would affect the thinking, as well as the physical health. When the disturbance is solved the healing or the harmony takes place. This approach is highly designed for the people living in the modern world. (Personal Development: Integrated Personal Development). Thus, one can conclude that an integration of all the above mentioned human development theories have contributed in one way or other in designing programs for client treatment and knowledge of these theories has become a need of the time for the psychologists. Works Cited G. Stanley Hall (1844-1924). Net Industries. 2008. 13 Dec. 2008. . G. Stanley Hall School. The Bridge of Central Massachusetts. 13 Dec. 2008. . Wagner, Kendra Van. Freud’s Stages of Psychosexual Development. About.com. 2008. 13 Dec. 2008. . Wagner, Kendra Van. Psychoanalytic Theories of Development. About.com. 2008. 13 Dec. 2008. . Term Paper on Theories and Treatment. 13 Dec. 2008. . Ryan, Matthew. Client-Centered Therapy. 13 Dec. 2008. . Personal Development: Integrated Personal Development – A Modern Alternative to Traditional Training for Individuals and Organizational Development. Businessballs.com. 2004. 13 Dec. 2008. . Read More