Individual and Family Development

Development denotes theoretical perspectives on how adaptive change is achieved in society. Theories of development offer models to conceptualize thinking about growth, development, and learning in human beings. Contemporary definitions characterize development as systematic changes and continuities in the individual that occur between conception and death. Development is implied to be predictable and continuous with some kind of pattern and order. Counseling is a developmental process and strength-based and the counselor aids an individual, couple, or family through normative developmental adjustments and transitions. This will focus on human development in the individual and family. Specific attention will be given to the nature of development and theories of development, including ontogenic and sociogenic theories, as well as multidimensional, holistic, and transpersonal models. The entry concludes with ...