Lifespan development theories and their application to counseling services

¶ … Counseling Services Benefit People Based on Theories of Human Development

The objective of this study is to examine how counseling services benefit people based on theories of human development.

The view of counselors is that people grow and develop throughout their entire lifespan. The theory of human development psychology is something that counselors understand and that assists them in effectively establishes relationships with individuals from a diversity of backgrounds. Professional counselors are skilled in assessing individuals and situations and in treatment and diagnosis of mental illness and disorders. As well counselors are skilled in applying cognitive, as well as effective, behavioral and systemic strategies to assist individuals in bringing about change in their lives.

Lifespan Development and Health Emphasized

It is reported that "from the beginning, counseling scholars and advocates have emphasized lifespan development and health rather than curing, treating and remediating so often emphasized by more traditional mental health professionals." (Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Educational Counseling. 2014, p.1) Counseling professionals seek to make offering of services that are both developmental and preventive "without a focus on diagnoses of dysfunctions of deficits. Rather symptoms of human distress have been viewed as transitions and changes that reflect potentially constructive and adaptive developmental tasks and opportunities." (Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Educational Counseling., 2014, p. 1)

Cognitive Development Theory

Cognitive Development Theory was first posited by Jean Piaget and is a theory comprised by three basic components including: (1) Schemas, or building blocks of knowledge; (2) adaptation processes that help the individual in their transitioning between stages; and (3) stages of development that include: (a) sensorimotor; (b) preoperational; (3) concrete operational; and (4) formal operational. (McLeod, 2009, p. 1) Piaget defined a schema as "a cohesive, repeatable action sequence possessing component actions that are tightly interconnected and governed by a core meaning." (McLeod, 2009, p. 1) the schema was called Piaget to be "the basic building blocks of intelligence, behavior -- a way of organizing knowledge." (McLeod, 2009, p. 1)

Learning Theory

A learning theory is described as "an attempt to describe how people and animals learn, thereby helping us understand the inherently complex process of learning." (Princeton University, 2014, p. 1) There are two primary values to learning theories: (1) the first is in the provision of '"vocabulary and a conceptual framework for interpreting the examples of learning that we observe. The other is in suggesting where to look for solutions to practical problems." (Princeton University, 2014, p. 1)

Social Role Theory

It is reported that social role theory "recognizes the historical division in labor between women, who often assumed responsibilities at home, and men, who often assumed responsibilities outside the home." (Psychopedia, 2014, p. 1) Resulting from the "concomitant sex differences in social behavior, the expectancies of men and women began to diverge." (Psychopedia, 2014, p. 1) It is reported that these expectations are passed on to future generations and in turn affect the social behavior of each gender. (Psychopedia, 2014, p. 1)

Psychosocial Theory

Psychosocial theory is reported to combine internal psychological factors and social factors that are external with each stage building on the others and focusing on a challenge that needs to be resolved during that specific stage so that the individual can move on to the next stage of development. (http://www3.niu.edu/acad/fcns280/THEORY/sld008.htm)

VI. Benefits of Counseling and Development Theories

The benefits of counseling related to theories of human development include assisting individuals in understanding how they got to where they are today and assist them in understanding how they can personally make changes or adjustments in their own life to achieve their personal life goals. It is reported that "According to develop mentalists, relationships among cognitions, emotions, and behaviors are interdependent and rooted in transactions with the environment (Blocher, 1980); therefore, while all humans possess inherent natures and abilities to mature, certain conditions must be present to facilitate the meeting of developmental needs and the mastering of developmental tasks. Tasks and concerns encountered at specific stages are understood to be hindered, blocked, or resolved depending upon the presence or absence of environmental conditions and responses." (Muro, 2007, p. 7)

Develop mentalist hold that "relationships among cognitions, emotions, and behaviors are interdependent and rooted in transactions with the environment; therefore, while all humans possess inherent natures and abilities to mature, certain conditions must be present to facilitate the meeting of developmental needs and the mastering of developmental tasks. Tasks and concerns encountered at specific stages are understood to be hindered, blocked, or resolved depending upon the presence or absence of environmental conditions and responses." (Muro, 2007, p. 8)

It is additionally reported that when Blocher (1988) "credited constructivist, cognitive-structural scholarship as the most influential to elaborating understandings of human development and change. Cognitive-structural studies affirmed the individual's information-processing tendency, reflecting intrinsic motivations to establish order, predictability and control in one's environment as well as to construct personal meaning. Cognitive dissonance was explained as part of this progression." (Muro, 2007, p. 8) Cognitive dissonance is reported to result in a "state of tension, discomfort, and imbalance. This motivates the individual to seek resolution, consistency, or cognitive consonance in an effort to construct meaning and order reality." (Muro, 2007, pl. 8)

Achieving goals of meaning and goals or order requires that the individual find resolution to the conflict that arises when there expectations are not confirmed by their experiences. This struggle is reported to support the transition or what is referred to as assimilation. The process of assimilation is reported to involve change that is quantitative as information is added to the already existing structures of cognition. Muro (2007) reports that the process of accommodation is reflective of "a qualitative change as one modifies existing schemata and develops new cognitive structures in order to assimilate new information. The transition is an important one that can take time, especially when the development of new cognitive structures is involved." (p. 9) As the person transitions into "more complex, advanced differentiated and integrated cognitive organization" it is reported that resulting is a "paradi9gm shift and development." (Muro, 2007, p. 10)

Summary and Conclusion

It is clear that the application of the theories of human development are such that when utilized by professional counselors works to benefit the individual in overcoming their own personal problems and to set and achieve goals through making the necessary adjustments and changes that are needed in their life.