Discussion Thread: Empirically Based Theories - Post
The ecological theories mentioned in the text were quite impactful to my growing
understanding of counseling and human development. Ecological theories show the connection
between environmental factors and how they influence a child in their growth and development.
Urie Bronfenbrenner believed that a human’s growth and development started with the impact of
all the various relationships that one experiences in childhood. The microsystem, mesosystem,
exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem are the five systems that Bronfenbrenner believed
were the notable relationships that had the most impact on development. The five different
systems consist of immediate surrounding relationships, neighborhood and school relationships,
outer shell relationships, cultural relationships, and environmental relationships that all have
various important roles in a human’s growth and development (Wong et al, 2020, pg.33). I
particularly enjoyed this theory not only because I agree that relationships have a monumental
impact on a human’s development but also because I was fascinated by how Bronfenbrenner
explains that there are many more relationships that have a grave impact on children then just the
parent and school relationships.
The five propositions mentioned in the spiritual development article describe spiritual
development as a process of pursuing self-knowledge and centeredness, looking past one’s locus
of centricity, being open to embrace the relationships around you, recognizing a higher power,
and having that higher power felt in one’s life (Love & Talbot, 2009). I think that pursuing the
knowledge of spiritual development connects to the physical, emotional, and social parts of
humanity and should be treated as such. There is no one part of a human that is separate from the
other parts. Body, mind and spirit are all interwoven together in a beautiful masterpiece and
when any body of knowledge tries to separate them from each other a large piece of the puzzle is
always missing and counseling is no different. How can we hope to treat the mental health of a
client if we do not also take the spirit into consideration? A lot of the burdens on the mind are
connected to the spirit. In first Corinthians Paul talks about how the body and mind are a host for
the Holy Spirit. One not separate from the other but conjoined together to form one whole
functioning unit that is for the benefit of the host. As Christian counselors I believe it is our duty
to spur on the inclusion of spirituality in counseling not only for our clients but for the profession
as a whole.
References
Love, P., & Talbot, D. (2009). Defining Spiritual Development: A Missing Consideration for
Student Affairs. NASPA Journal, 46(4), 614–628. https://doi.org/10.2202/1949-6605.5035
Wong, D. W., Hall, K. R., & Hernandez, W. L. (2020). Counseling Individuals Through the
Lifespan (Counseling and Professional Identity) (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Discussion Thread: Empirically Based Theories - Replies
Hello Agata,
I am so glad you chose to discuss Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development. The study of
neural pathways and how the brain is constantly rewiring itself shows how counselors can help
clients to heal and form new pathways while at the same time also proving just how traumatizing
negative experiences can really be. I loved you went on to connect Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive
Development to the second stage, the preoperational stage. You thoroughly explain the
preoperational stage and supported with great references that I did not know about. However, I
wish you would have expanded and supported the first stage a bit more before moving onto the
second stage. Some information that has helped me significantly in understanding more about
neural pathways is neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and neuroplasticity which are terms used to
describe how the brain has the capability to create new connections as a result of new events,
trauma or healing (Simmons et al., 2019, p.568). What an awesome God we serve that he
specifically designed the brain to redeem itself. Just as Paul said to the Corinthian church,
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is
here!” Paul said this in reference to our souls but how perfect that it also applies to our brains.
Great post. I am looking forward to continuing to discuss further topics with you.
References
Simmons, R. T., Lilley, S. C., & Kuhnley, K. A. M. (2019). Introduction to Counseling:
Integration of Faith, Professional Identity, and Clinical Practice (1st ED.). Kendall Hunt
Publishing.
Discussion Thread: Empirically Based Theories - Replies
Hello Tina,
I too enjoyed reading about Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development and how it explains
the revelations that are learned by children as they pass through the different stages of age. I love
how you explained that this theory is a visual of how the biology of a person interacts with what
is going on around them. Simple yet so poignant. It helped me to see this theory in a new light.
I also think you had a great idea with tying Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development to
Defining the Spiritual Development Journal by Patrick Love and Donna Talbot. What a great
thought to tie the different stages of psychosocial development to the different stages of spiritual
development. I never thought to connect those two ideas from our readings this week but since
you have mentioned it I have been thinking of the potential comparisons. However, I wish you
would have delved into this theory a bit deeper. Spiritual development is a vital part of human
development and is pertinent to mental wellness (Love & Talbot, 2009). The potential contrasts
between spiritual and psychosocial development have me wondering. You were onto a great idea
saying that Spiritual development and psychosocial development are incomplete without the
other. Great post and great ideas.
References
Love, P., & Talbot, D. (2009). Defining Spiritual Development: A Missing Consideration for
Student Affairs. NASPA Journal, 46(4), 614–628. https://doi.org/10.2202/1949-6605.5035
Wong, D. W., Hall, K. R., & Hernandez, W. L. (2020). Counseling Individuals Through the
Lifespan (Counseling and Professional Identity) (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
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