Psychology for Social Work Practice

Psychology for fond Work implement sister organic evolution is the mathematical surgical procedure of human growth and changes from birth through adolescence (Smith et al 2005). It is the engage of how squirtren develop perception, thought processes, emotional reactions and patterns of kindly behavior (Mussein, 1990). annotation is a vital tool in analysing and author adequateness child development and holds report implication of effectiveness of social twist work in late year (McKinnon 2008).The aim of this report is to analyse my reflectivity of a devil years three month old girl. My interpretation of the behaviour discover go a way of life be analysed critically using psychological theories with detail of the locomote carried out in other to gain try for for the observation. Furthermore, the skills involve for my observation will be described, in relation to my future practice, and some germane(predicate) psychological theories stages of human developmen t will be discussed including their relevance. Finally I will reflect on my learnedness and how it applies to social work as a profession. nestling and Family ConfidentialityPrior to the observation be conducted, I familiarize myself with the public Social Cargon Council (GSCC) (2002) Code of execute to enable me to brook out the observation in a professional way. The child chosen for observation is my colleagues friends daughter, at the preliminary stage, I requested if I could save her child for my coursework. My observers mother informed me she would discuss the issue with her husband and last back to me. A few days later, I was invited to meet both parents and was able to explain the aim of my assignment.Having explained my aim, I assured them that confidentiality will be maintained their daughters identity will non be disclosed. I still the couple that their privacy will be respected and the daughters wellbeing will be paramount throughout. Consequently, I was given a verbal consent by both parents with approved signatures on the letter of agreement. fry expoundAs stated above, for anonymity, the childs name will not be mentioned, entirely will be referred to as Child A for the purpose of confidentiality as stated in GSCC 2002 section (2). Child A is a two years, three month old female. The observation took regularise at Child As family residence she is the second child of the family, the only female, lives with her parents and her older blood brother of which the family composition is middle class, the aim of the observation is to observe Child As behaviour and overly to learn how different behaviours relate to different theories.Skills required for structured observationPlanning, respect, communication, working as partnership, reflection, listening and being centre are necessary skills required in carrying out structured observation.In Childs A selection process, I established a relationship of cooperative/partnership work between myse lf and Child As parents, listening to Child A communication with her family during observation has given me the insight of the importance of attentive listening through structured observation (CDWC 2007a 7-8). The desire to be cogitate by smell closely at Child A and not deviating from my aim has made me to understand how child learns and develop (HNCRC 2007). I as well as use reflective skills for child observation, as it enables me to reflect on what I read seen and provide accurate record of child behaviour (Wood et al 2005).Psychological theories and their relevance to social work practicePsychologists wipe out outlined behaviour in terms of bodily processes and social psychology defines it in terms of peoples interactions. For example Skinner (1953) believes that behaviour modification is based on operant conditioning and it is a way of assisting someone to change their insufferable behaviour by offering a reward or punishment. From my observation in (Appendix week1), Ch ild A, cries whenever she charters any item from Child B, she is awake of the attention gained whenever she cries and this will import in her getting what she takes. However, this behaviour could shed negative consequences as well. Skinner will relate Child As behaviour as an operant conditioning, as Child A continues to outshout for her older brothers toys, having known that her behaviour leads to a particular consequences. She be eats this way as she receives attention from her brother by always getting back the toys she wanted, which is living with reward, a behaviourist scene.On the other hand, the watch of behaviour by Bandura (1977) a Social perspective would disagree with Skinner, as Skinner would verbalize that Child As behaviour is observational based on learning imitation. Child A may ask seen someone at her teach or a social gathering displaying such behaviour and so copies the same behaviour. Bandura (1971) suggested that learning moral rules by the individua l is not in response to their exposure to punishment or reward, but by observing the behaviour of other people (Nicolson et al 2006 23).This relates to Child As behaviour in (Appendix week1) and shows how the end result may not be as signifi female genitaliat as the behaviourist perspective would squander believed.As a professional social worker, working with people from different backgrounds it is important to have familiarity of psychological theories as its a vital tool that can be used to understand and interpret behaviour in social work practice. Also social workers need to have a encompassing knowledge of different cultures and be sure when they are applying psychological perspectives they have an objective mind taking into account individual differences such as ethical, cultural and religious. grades of human development and its relevance to social work practice.The study of human development is the progressive behavioural changes in an individual from birth. Psychologist s have identified the changes that occur at a similar age for virtually children, from research and evidence, these changes are dependent to some extent on maturation, although definite surroundingsal factors must be present for development to take place and so its difficult to decide whether the appearance of a new cleverness is simply due to learning or maturation (Woods 20005). For instance, Jean Piaget (1932) cited in Wood (2000) proposes that children think differently from adults, their knowledge is structured differently and shows their understanding developed in the following stagesFirst stage is the Sensory travel Stage (Birth to 18 months)At this first stage the child watches pitiful object, reach out towards it and is able to grab the object, the child will depute the object in the mouth and try to explore it by grip and smelling.Second stage is Pre-Operational Stage (18 months- 7 years old)During this stage the phrase are developed using words and expression, whi ch enable the child to chide about things and express ideas.Third stage is Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)The child is able to centre more logical thinking and able to understand that it is possible for on that point to be two different cerebration of the same thing at the same time and able to decentre. spell the final stage is Formal Operational Stage (11 years and older)The child can manipulate ideas in its head, for example being able to visualise by thinking through imagining the impossible sequence.From cognitive perspective, Piaget also believed that the environment can affect childs development but, argued that it will not prevent a child from skipping the cognitive development stage. However, he would have interpreted Child As behaviour, as due to the fact that she is in the pre-operational stage and she demonstrates this behaviour by using ability and memory. Her thinking is in a non-logical style as she suddenly cries for her mothers attention in other to get what she wants (Woods 2000227-231). relevance to social work practiceThe relevance of this observation to social work practise is that the use of theories would help to understand individuals behaviour. As a result social workers need to acquire skills and knowledge to enable them to understand the reason why a particular event occurs. To achieve this, social workers need to be aware of sensitive issues around them (Thompson 2005). However this observation process increased my understanding of Child A as a real happy chid, to appreciate her skills and unique qualities and to come into her world and see things from her perspective (Faulkner, 1995). This has become so relevant, as the failing of professionals in the Laming Report (2003) highlights which emphasises the need for professionals to move the focus away from the parents and back to the child (Copper, 2005).Reflect on my experienceIn reflecting on my role on child observation, I have learnt how to focus my attention and ref lect on it afterwards, trying to collide with my presence less obvious. It is good practice to avoid assumption and being non-judgemental is vital. Each individual is different and their needs must be bespoken to individual requirements. I now understand that self-reflection is a continuous process during observation, which is to reflect on what I am doing and reflect on my reaction and interpretation of what took place by thinking, writing and recording report. Payne (1997) defines reflection as to imagine alternative ways to understand situations using observation.In addition, looking into different theories and perspectives has given me the insight into how they can be applied to practice. Children also need to be encouraged to join in to activities that they may not be interested in, taking into account their reasons for not interacting. I have also learnt that children use gesture to express what they want to say if they are not in the mood to speak. This is of an interest to me as I want to work with children with special needs who are not able to lapse through speaking and use their behaviour as a way of communicating instead. As such this assignment has made me feel a little more confident in approaching people.ConclusionIn conclusion, I have learnt greatly through observation and reading. I have realised that working from ones own personal perspective can be oppressive and it is better to use different perspectives in dealing with individuals. I have also gained knowledge on behaviourism and how it can be used to relate to childrens behaviour which is relevant to social work practice and not to have general assumption about children as there are individual differences. I have also acquired good knowledge and understanding of child development.REFERENCESBandura A (1971) Social Learning Theory global Learning PressChildrens Workforce Development Council (CDWC 2007) (online) accessed on 25/11/2010 at http//www.cwdcouncil.org.uk accessed on 09/12/10Co pper A (2005) wax and Depth in the Victoria Climbe Inquiry Report Child and Family Social Work 10 1-9Faulkner D (1995) Play Self and the Social valet de chambre In Barnes P (ed) Personal Social and Emotional Development of ChildrenGeneral Social Care Council (2002) (online) accessed on 26/11/2010 at http//www.socialworkconnections.org.uk/content.php?id=47HNCRC (2007) The early years Foundation Stage Effective Practice Observation Assessment and PlanningLaming Report (2003) (online) accessed on 10/11/2010 at http//www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_110711.pdfMcKinnon F (2008) Child Observation and Professional Practice In Ruch G (ed) Post-Qualifying Child Care Social Work Developing Reflective Practice SageMussein P (1990) (7th ed) Child Development Harper and Row publishersNicolson P Bayner R and Owen J (2006) (3rd ed) Applied Psychology for Social WorkersPayne M (1997) (2nd ed) innovative Social Work Theory MacmillanSkinner B F (1953) recognition and Human Behaviour MacmillanSmith P C H and Blades M (2005) Understanding Children Development (4th ed) Blackwell PublishersThompson N (2005) Understanding Social Work Preparing for Practice Palgrave MacmillanWoods B (2000) Basics in Psychology Hodder StoughtonWood M Taylor J (2005) Early Childhood Studies An Holistic Introduction Hodder Arnold