Foundations of Human Development in the Social Environment

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Foundations of Human Development in the Social Environment Jessica Green BSHS/325 August 29th, 2015 Sandra Mathews Foundations of Human Development in the Social Environment Most of our lives are spent interacting with others. Be it with family, friends, coworkers, or strangers, social interaction is an unavoidable aspect of our lives. Social development is frequently influenced by and influences biological and psychological development. Diversity and cultural competence also affect social development, and general systems theory plays a role in the social order. To better understand how and why humans interact the way we do, these topics will be further expanded on. Bio-Psycho-Social Dimensions of Development There are many facets that work together to create an individual. Human beings are complex, and what influences one part of an individual’s being subsequently influences every part of that person’s life. The biological, psychological, and social dimensions all influence each other and are influenced by each other through dynamic interactions that affect an individual’s entire being (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Biological and social developments are often easily observable, while psychological development might be more difficult to specify as an outsider, but the effects can be manifested through observable behavior or biological changes. For example, picture a teenage girl that contracts an illness. She is bedridden and misses several weeks of school. Her illness causes noticeable weight loss, and when she returns to school she is self-conscious, both about her body and what others might think about her absence. Because of her self-consciousness, she is more withdrawn and quiet than she was prior to her sickness. In this instance, her biological condition influenced her psychological state, which in turn influenced her social interactions.
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