Development theories have been researched and defined over the years by numerous researchers including Piaget, Erickson and Skinner. These theories assist to explain human behaviors by outlining how humans interacts and/or react to certain stimuli. Using a development theory can assist a social worker to help their clients meet their own goals based on how that client interacts and sees the world. By picking a developmental theory to guide their principles, social workers can assist in problem solving, therapy and crisis intervention depending on their level of expertise.
Piaget’s Theory of Development Jean Piaget proposed human go through various stages in learning how to think as they develop from infancy into adulthood (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman, 2018, p. 129).
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If a child grew up in an environment where their parents did not allow them to make their own decisions, they might have never learned how to solve problems as they came up. They could see how things were and formed an opinion however learned to rely on their parents and/or caregivers to do their thinking for them. Ultimately understanding why an individual act the way they do is the first step needed to assist them in eliminate old behaviors and exhibiting behaviors that can help them succeed in life. A theory could be benefit in understanding a client’s past behaviors however does not have much assistance on how to move forward. Often interventions needed to be put in place for a client to learn new ways of thinking that will be more beneficial for their future. Regardless of criticism, Piaget established a foundation for cognitive development that set the stage for establishing what types of things kids can realistically accomplish according to their