Applying Developmental Theory: Recent Episodes
Rebecca Stiller
Weekly podcast-style lectures for CYCW 339. A summary of each week's main themes in 15 minutes or less!
This week we explore Robert Kegan's Constructive-Developmental Theory, specifically in relation to adult thinking stages. We examine a few examples of subject-object transition and consider how prominent ideas of adult development might shift as society evolves.
This week we discuss Jack Phelan's theory of developmental leadership and explore what practitioners in Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 might feel, think, and act like. We also explore what safe relationships look like at each stage of our development as CYC practitioners.
This week we explore some foundational ideas about CYC family work: what are its distinct characteristics, and what skills do we need to develop in order to mature as family practitioners? This will set the tone for the conversation in our live session, where will explore some examples of this work and link it to the application of developmental theory.
This week we discuss developmental approaches to CYC work in the context of intercultural practice. We address some of the cultural origins of prevalent developmental theories, think about the ways in which Western culture is positioned as the default "normative" culture, and consider how developmental case planning differs from traditional case planning in its attempts to control others' (potentially culturally-located) behaviour.
This week we consider developmental case planning as an opportunity to meet needs instead of policing behaviour. We think about three needs all people have: trust in others, autonomy/personal power, and capacity for empathy and prosocial behaviour, and consider how our ability to nurture, give choices, and develop strong relationships can meet each of these needs in different ways.
This week we explore what it practically looks like to apply developmental theory in the lifespace, to assess the needs of children, youth, and families and then to respond to those needs in ways that make sense to the people we are serving. We consider 3 aspects of effective lifespace work as an emerging practitioner: personal safety, language, and recreation.
This week we explore the moral development theory of Lawrence Kohlberg, reviewing Kohlberg's research and identifying indicators (that are relevant to our work) of each level of moral reasoning. We also consider some criticism of Kohlberg's theory and look forward to applying moral theory in our classes on lifespace intervention and case planning.
This week we critically consider what is different between developmental and behavioral approaches by taking a look at the following dichotomies: internal vs. external control; too little vs. too much external control; good behaviour vs. self-control; adult vs. immature logic; and staff vs. youth needs.
This week we discuss the core themes of the assigned reading: curiosity, humility, empathy, and care.
This week, we discuss cognitive dissonance and the significance of developmental CYC practice. We also identify how several theories we've already studied will be useful in this work.