...Unit Title | Social Work Futures in a Global Contexts | Unit Number | U22080-12YR | Unit Coordinator | Chris Penney and Annabel Tremlett | Description of work | Formative assignment | Word Count | 550 | Student Number (s) | 488901, 486768 | Date Submitted | 9th November | An Innovative Approach to Social Work Introduction The ‘ecological systems theory’ has been adapted to Children Services in New South Wales, Australia, as an approach to understanding the child in their context , which could be used to define a person’s behaviour in later life. This theory looks at how the child’s environment has an effect on their growth and development, providing a basis for how professionals can intervene in early years to support the child and family (Garbarino 1990, NICHD, 2000) (“Practice Grounded in Theory”, 2008). The model contrasts internal, individual or biological factors with external, social, environmental and relational factors (Wong and Cumming, 2008), implementing a holistic approach to the intervention. It combines the individual, the family and the community in underpinning issues that have contributed to the child’s development. For example, examining the child’s social factors could involve liaising with the school, the home, and other agencies, gaining an understanding of the whole situation. History of the ecological system This approach was evolved by Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979 which looks at the different systems which could influence...
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...Ecosystems Theory Chris Smith Western Kentucky University SWRK 331 –610: Human Behavior in the Social Environment II Western Kentucky University – Owensboro March 19, 2013 Ecosystems Theory Defined The ecosystems theory as utilized in social work is an adaptation in and of itself. The ecosystems theory is a combination of ecology and general systems theory. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, ecology is “The science of the relationship between organisms and their environments [ (Bantam Dell, 2007, p. 272) ]. An ecological systems approach only tells us organisms will adapt to environmental changes and does not tell us specifically what steps the organism takes in order to adapt to change, this is where general systems theory, the second contributor to ecosystems theory, comes to play a part [ (Greif, 1986) ]. General systems theory shows how an organism’s interaction with another cannot only instigate change within itself but can also instigate change in others as well. According to Wakefield (1996), Systems are sets of interacting elements; systems can be open or closed to interaction with the outside world; systems are linked hierarchically; systems can possess states of homeostasis and equilibrium or can be in disequilibrium; systems are regulated through positive and negative feedback; and, again, causal influences are circular, in that changes in one system have consequences for other linked systems that, in turn, through feedback, have consequences...
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...influences on the development of children’s temperament, which later impacts their school performance. This article is going to explore how parenting varies among different ethnic groups including Asian Americans, African American, Latinos, and European Americans. More specifically, what factors should be included when considering the parenting characteristics of a unique ethnic group and what implications might they have for schooling today. Theories Two of the modern theories that are concerned with cultural influences on human development are Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory and Ecological Systems Theory proposed by Urie Bronfenbrenner. First, Vygotsky’s theory defined culture as the values, beliefs, customs, and skills of a social group. His Sociocultural Theory focuses on how culture is transmitted to the next generation. According to Vygotsky, social interaction – in particular, cooperative dialogues with more knowledgeable members of society – is necessary for children to acquire the ways of thinking and behaving that make up a community’s culture (Rowe & Wertsch, 2002). Vygotsky believed that adults and more expert peers can help children master culturally meaningful activities. Communications between them could become part of children’s thinking. By internalizing the essential features of these dialogues, children will use the language within them to guide their own thought, actions and...
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...Introduction Each family is unique and unrepeatable and hence the impossibility of creating family types to accommodate certain patterns. Thus, this case study research will research on the issue that how the diversity in different aspects of family affects the day – to-day life of the family and family dynamics. The basic task is to gather information about the family members and then discuss how the how the family dynamics is affected due to diversity. The changes in modes of family life arouse intense debate in as to the permanence and balance guaranteed by traditional models. Reconstituted families, single parents, arising from divorce, unwed motherhood or other factors, or complex families, among others, represents an innovation compared to traditional modes of nuclear family, consisting of a man and a woman with dependent children or families with one parent as a result of widowhood. In this family the person learns how to be and what to do once adult, who must assume the role of head of household, husband or wife, father or mother. This learning will be influenced by the models of relatives of his clan and its environment and cultural models of their studies of literature, film, television, etc. But it is essential the individual's experience in his own family. Although family diversity is not new, the extent of this phenomenon was only noticeable during recent years, in both past generations and we believe that this time is not sufficient for "Roles" have been codified...
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...Analysis of Timothy's Case Study PSYC 2700 Child Development Case Study Analysis Capella University March, 2014 Analysis of Timothy's Case Study Timothy’s story is about a sequence, or timeline of events showing how being in a certain environment can help shape a child’s development. Timothy’s behavior from the beginning was a perfect example of how children model after their parents or caregiver. He was exposed to violence at a very young age from his parents, and therefore that was how he learned how to express himself. With his parents out of work and in low paying jobs, the whole family was under a lot of stress. Timothy was spanked as a result of them not dealing with their stress in a constructive way. Even away from home, at an unauthorized daycare, he was subject to spanking. With the family having a limited income, Timothy continued to go to a daycare that was unclean, unhealthy and detrimental to his development. When Timothy started school at a public school he was not prepared. Having had no structure, healthy social interaction or exposure to learning, he was very behind his peers. He had limited experience controlling his emotions and therefore was subject to angry outbursts and an inability to follow the rules. By the time he was eleven years old; he failed a grade and was not able to continue to 6th grade with his peers and was even suspended for instigating a fight. Secure attachment is the term used to support...
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...HS 5003, Survey of Research in Human Development and Behavior Course Instructor: Gerald Thauberger, MS, DM 05/30/2009 Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory Aaron D. Stewart "Ecological systems theory is an approach to study of human development that consists of the 'scientific study of the progressive, mutual accommodation, throughout the life course, between an active, growing human being, and the changing properties of the immediate settings in which the developing person lives, as this process is affected by the relations between these settings, and by the larger contexts in which the settings are embedded'" (Bronfenbrenner, 1989, page or #). When reading and researching to gain deeper understanding and appreciation of personal development, it is clear that we, as humans, continually change and adapt to our environment. Bronfenbrenner's levels of development play an essential role in this process. The first stage in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory is the Microsystem. The Microsystem is described as the intimate system (the one we interact most commonly with); this system consists of family, school, peers, neighborhoods, churches, and health services. The Microsystem is the layer closest to the child and contains the structures with which the child has direct contact. The Microsystem encompasses the relationships and interactions a child has with their immediate surroundings (Berk, 2000). At this level, relationships have impact in two directions...
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...whulucy@gmail.com Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cehsdiss Part of the Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education Commons Li, Xiaoyu, "Family Environment and School Environment as Predictors for Physical Aggression in Low-Income Children" (2012). Open Access Theses and Dissertations from the College of Education and Human Sciences. Paper 164. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cehsdiss/164 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Education and Human Sciences, College of (CEHS) at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Open Access Theses and Dissertations from the College of Education and Human Sciences by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AS PREDICTORS FOR PHYSICAL AGGRESSION IN LOW-INCOME CHILDREN by Xiaoyu Li A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science Major: Child, Youth, & Family Studies Under the Supervision of Professor Soo-Young Hong Lincoln, Nebraska November, 2012 FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AS PREDICTORS FOR PHYSICAL AGGRESSION IN LOW-INCOME CHILDREN Xiaoyu Li, M.S. University of Nebraska, 2012 Adviser: Soo-Young Hong The purpose of the current study was to examine the unique and collective contributions...
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...INTRODUCTION Theories of development put forward a framework for human growth, development and learning. Why do we study the developmental process? What can we learn from theories of development? If you have ever wondered about what motivates development, thoughts and behaviour, understanding these theories be a useful insight to individuals and society. LEV VYGOTSKY Lev Vygotsky is well known for his sociocultural theory of development. Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, emphasized the roles of language, social interaction and culture on the child’s developing mind (Vygotsky, 1978, 1986). Vygotsky said that through social interactions, it enables the development of skills which are needed for logical reasoning. Lev Vygotsky’s theory is one in which he speaks about cognitive development. The first step in learning about cognitive development , you have to know what the concept ‘development’ means. Development is the changes that takes place in all humans from birth to adulthood. There are physical changes such as changes in the shape and size and how the body functions for example swimming when you were in Standard 2 as to swimming faster in secondary school. There are also emotional, social and personal development which are changes to our personalities and the ways in which we manage our feelings...
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...Dadds (2013) Introduction: Aggressiveness is a complicated study due to the fact that it does not act as an integral trait, and increased interest towards the matter of anti-social behaviour is partly explained by the apparent escalation of aggression in contemporary society (Popova, 2006). The human expression of anger is due to a combination of endocrine, neural and behavioural mechanisms and as such, a central question of human history. Children with aggressive behaviour form a heterogeneous population in relation to certain subtypes of aggressive antisocial behaviour. Callous-unemotional traits (e.g. absence of emotions and blame) are well-studied and temperamentally tied in with acute and persistent antisocial expression in children, which holds the risk for progressing psychopathy later in life (Frick & Viding, 2009) Serotonin levels are thought to contribute to childhood aggressive and antisocial behaviour, which can lead to expression later in adulthood (Raine, 2002). Thus, genetic factors are an inseparable part of the nature of antisocial behaviour, as demonstrated by twin research that has shown that heritability is likely to determine various forms of aggression and personality factors, such as impulsivity and callous-unemotional traits (Moffitt, 2005). Despite the fact that the specific genetic basis of the innate nature of antisocial behaviour has not been firmly demonstrated, a number of studies have proposed that serotonergic dysfunction acts as a trigger...
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...Running Head: Cognitive And Moral Child Development Cognitive And Moral Child Development Case Study Tanya Coleman Psy 200A Teaching and Learning Does a child’s biological factors influence their behavior? My case study is about an 8.6 year old boy who faces biological, social, and emotional issues at the early stages of his cognitive and moral development. The observation takes place at Tyrell’s school. I am going to apply Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological approach, and Kohlberg’s theory of moral development as it applies to my case study. Besides, I will give an insight of the stages that Tyrell has undergone thus far. In Tyrell’s case environmental issues played a major part in his early development. Tyrell is an African American boy that is 8.6 years old in the 2nd grade. The school he attends is P.S. 36 in Manhattan. He is asthmatic. Tyrell is currently being raised by his mother. His father is incarcerated for assault and robbery. Tyrell recently lived with his grandmother. He is currently living in a shelter with his mother. Tyrell attended the same school since pre-k. He has seen a lot of his friends go on to the 3rd grade while he remains in 2nd grade. Tyrell has a displacement issue at home because he lives in a shelter. Tyrell likes basketball. Tyrell aspires to be a basketball...
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...as theory 10-years later in the early 1980s. Such models were developed in an attempt to enhance the understanding of the complex interconnection between people and their surrounding environments. Significantly, the theory was advanced by the World War I, after which researchers realized that the surveys conducted by psychologists seemed narrow in scope. The ecological model was brought about to fill the gap that existed between the behavioral theories. Indeed, they covered small settings based on the fact that anthropological theories were mainly used for analysis in broad contexts. The contribution of ecological models in personal development is profound despite being criticized. Specifically, Bronfenbrenner Ecological model is widely employed in the development of human beings in a bid to achieve a ‘risk tree’ concept that strengthens the ecological model. In the biological sense, human beings are considered as animals, just like any other living creature. Growth and development of humans come forth based on the interconnected and embedded ecological systems surrounding them. These two vital processes are governed by the various factors found the ecological model in which the organism in question is found. Therefore, it correct to assert that an organism’s development comes about through the interconnected and embedded ecological systems. The reason to this is simple, an organism in one environmental...
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...the Academic Performance of Grade Seven learners: A Case of Zimbabwe Kudzai Chinyoka Great Zimbabwe University Department of Educational Foundations Email: chinyokak@gmail.com Doi:10.5296/ijld.v4i3.6169 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v4i3.6169 Abstract This paper examined the impact of poor nutrition on the academic performance of grade seven learners at two primary schools in Chivi, Zimbabwe. Its main objective is to identify mitigation policies and measures designed to reduce negative effects of poor nutrition on children’s academic performance. Malnutrition remains one of the major obstacles to human well-being affecting all areas of a child's growth and development, including performance in the classroom. The study is grounded in Maslow’s motivational and needs theory. In this study, a qualitative phenomenological case study design was used with focus group discussions, interviews and observations as data collection instruments to twelve (12) grade seven learners, three (3) headmasters and four (4) teachers, purposively sampled in Masvingo province. Findings revealed that malnutrition affected physical growth, cognitive development and it consequently impacts on academic performance, health and survival of learners. Malnutrition also deepens poverty due to increased health care costs. The study also established that hungry and undernourished grade seven learners were not able to take on physical work and sporting activities seriously, are less able...
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...Richard Russo’s memoir, Elsewhere, provides a son’s narration of a lifetime of adventures and tribulations with his mother, Jean. The piece also provides an ideal case study of development, experiences, challenges, and transitions across the adult phases of the human lifespan, thereby allowing for an application and analysis of adult psychology theories and concepts that are commonly presented in more objective and less narrative works. First, attention will be paid to the roles and relationships that Richard and Jean Russo establish throughout their lives. Then, cognitive aging and decline will be discussed in relation to Jean’s physical and mental health and her dementia. Richard’s role as Jean’s primary caregiver will be studied through...
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...Papers should be submitted to the assignments section of the course and follow the required guidelines. In this second part of the project, provide an analysis of a hypothetical ethical dilemma that you have developed. Keep in mind that the hypothetical ethical dilemma you are analyzing should also be within the same work environment that you analyzed and submitted in Unit 5 for Part 1: Analysis of Work Environment. There are several substantial areas that you must consider in your analysis. The following questions will help you to begin your analysis of the ethical dilemma you have chosen. • What is the ethical dilemma and who are the individuals involved? Be sure to fully describe the dilemma and its context. • What are the main ethical concerns presented in the dilemma? What sources and references can you use to support your analysis? • How could you apply the theories and techniques of human service professions to a wide variety of ethical dilemmas? • What documentation would you provide for the Ethics committee if it were a real-life situation? What decision making process would you present to them upon review of this case? How would you define and relate the role and functions of ethical standards in scientific research in the human service professions? These questions are only meant to help you start your analysis. You should also include (Herlihy, B. Corey G., 2006) … “Suggest that counselors who are culturally responsive increase their...
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...Valerie Coakley PS220-03: Child and Adolescent Psychology June 22, 2010 Unit 9 Final Project: Urie Bronfenbrenner developed the ecological systems theory to explain how everything in a child and the child's environment affects how a child grows and develops. He labeled different aspects or levels of the environment that influence children's development, including the microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosystem, and the macrosystem (Bukatko, 2008). Bronfenbrenner’s theory stresses the need to understand how children develop in everyday life. The development issue I chose to discuss is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and how the surroundings and everyday life affects the development. There are different characteristics that accompany FAS in the different stages of a child's life. "At birth, infants with intrauterine exposure to alcohol frequently have low birth rate; pre-term delivery; a small head circumference; and the characteristic facial features of the eyes, nose, and mouth" (Phelps, 1995, p. 204). Some of the facial abnormalities that are common of children with FAS are: microcephaly, small eye openings, broad nasal bridge, flattened mid-faces, thin upper lip, skin folds at the corners of the eyes, indistinct groove on the upper lip, and an abnormal smallness of the lower jaw (Wekselman, Spiering, Hetteberg, Kenner, & Flandermeyer, 1995; Phelps, 1995). These infants also display developmental delays, psychomotor retardation...
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