Assignment: Application of Theory
Students are required to select a published autobiography that contains the author's reflections on their personal history/identity, family relationships and/or other significant relationships and their hopes or aspirations. Do not select a biography that is written about someone by an author, and selection of a work that presents a psychological or behavioural analysis of a person, e.g. "A Psychoanalytic Profile of Adolf Hitler" will be automatically failed.
Students are required to select a theory of human development and/or behaviour and analyse the content of the autobiography in terms of the concepts, principles or model proposed by the selected theory. For example, Freudian theory, Neo-Freudian or Object Relations Theory, Person-centred theory, Behavioural theory, Social Learning theory, Cognitive theory, Interpersonal theory, Attachment theory, family systems theory. (S. Freud, A. Freud, J. Bowlby, D.W. Winnicott, Karen Horney, Erik Erikson, Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis, A. Beck, S. Minuchin, M. Bowen).
Do not select a therapeutic model that describes how to undertake a treatment for example: Fairburn, C. (2008). "Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eating Disorders."
A theory of human behaviour or development describes why someone may feel, act, think, behave or relate in particular ways.
Students will develop and demonstrate an understanding of how theory informs practice - assessment and intervention. Students are also required to review and discuss the ethical and professional issues involved in the process of applying the selected theory. (Note not every principle in the Code of Ethics or Practice Principles will be applicable).
Response should be 2500 words.
Major issues that will be assessed:
Knowledge and depth of understanding of the theoretical concepts, principles or model of the processes of human development - behavioral, emotional, relational or social described by a theory of human behavior
Ability to analyse the presented material (lived experience of the author) in a critically reflective way from the perspective of the chosen theory
Ability to demonstrate your knowledge of the Code of Ethics and Practice Principles in analysis and critical reflection of the use of theory and its application and its impact on your developing professional framework
Appropriate report layout and referencing.