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Psychological Theories of Human Development

It is crucial and important for psychologists to have adequate knowledge on human development, psychological theories, and theoretical foundations of mental disorders in order to conceptualize an individual’s current state of being or behaviours. Theories provide a framework for understanding human behaviour, thought, and development, provide insights to our client’s difficulties and situations and, predict a wide variety of behaviours. Psychologists are expected to:

• Examine and develop in-depth knowledge of human development, psychological theories, theoretical foundations of mental disorders and its co-morbidity that are relevant to the clinical populations served

• Evaluate how psychological theories are linked to their own theoretical orientations

• Critically appraise the strengths and limitations of relevant theories in relation to the present case

• Maintain professionalism, objectivity, curiosity and interest in keeping abreast with the literature and new information in this area

Here are some ideas and resources to spark your learning and thinking: 

We have gathered some useful tips that are used by our psychologists in this area

Conceptualising on the selection & use of theories

Developed by our psychologists working in the community, here is our shared knowledge on case conceptualisation – psychological theories of human development. The two colour coded diagrams serve as a visual guide to help you think about selecting and applying particular theories in relation to your present case.

Figure 1 categorises theories according to the developmental continuum and developmental domains, i.e., cognitive/language, motor/physical and social/emotional.

Figure 2 encapsulates the different theoretical orientations when working with clients. Examples of theories under each orientation are:

• Psychodynamic: Freudian psychosexual theory of development

• Cognitive: Beck’s cognitive theory

• Behavioural: Classical and operant conditioning theories, Bandura’s social learning theories

• Humanistic: Rogerian self-actualisation theory, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

• Biological: Genetics, hormones, neuropsychological theories

Neuropsychological theories

The following chapters/books are recommended for you to understand more about neuropsychological theories.

1. Reynolds, C. R. & Fletcher-Janzen, E. (2009). Handbook of clinical child neuropsychology, (3rded.). New York: Springer.

• Chapter 2 – Development of the child’s brain and behaviour

• Chapter 3 – Development of cerebral lateralisation in children

• Chapter 4 – Development of higher brain functions: Birth through adolescence

 See more here.

2. Hale, J. B. & Fiorello, C. A. (2004). School neuropsychology: A practitioner’s handbook. New York: The Guildford Press. 

• Chapter 2 – A model of brain functioning

See more here.

3. Kolb, B. & Whishaw, I. Q. (2001). An introduction to brain and behaviour. New York: Worth Publishers.

• Chapter 7 – How does the brain develop?

See more here.

Child development theories

The following articles and books are recommended for you to learn about child development theories including Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby, Skinner etc.

1. Centre for Learning Innovation, State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Training, 2006 - A basic introduction to child development theories

This article introduces major theorists and theories on child development, specifically in the area of emotional and psychological, cognitive, language, social and play development.

2. Laura Berk – Child development, 9th Edition.

See more here.

3. Lynn R. Marotz and K. Eileen Allen - Developmental profiles - Pre-birth through adolescence.

See more here.

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

1. Judit Gervai (2009) - Environmental and genetic influences on early attachment

See more here.

2. Charles H. Zeanah, Lisa J. Berlin, and Neil W. Boris (2013) – Practitioner Review: Clinical applications of attachment theory and research for infants and young children

See more here.

Conditions and genetics

The website Genetics Home Reference – Your Guide to Understand Genetic Conditions offers a handy guide for you to explore the signs and symptoms, genetic cause, and inheritance pattern of various health conditions. It will be helpful to understand client’s health conditions in relation to their thinking, feelings and behaviours.

Mental disorders

Learn more about mental disorders and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) on this website. You can access education resources including webinars on the APA Learning Center, free online assessment measures and fact sheets.

child development

This website provides articles, visuals, learning activities and references for anyone who want to learn and support the development of children.