Evaluating Various Human Development Theories (Essay Sample)

Human Development Theories
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Human Development Theories
Social development theories were established to explain how cognitive development can be achieved through social interactions. The interactions can be between friends, families, or colleagues that share common interests. Some of the popular ones include the maturationist, psychoanalytic, behaviorism, psychosocial, ecological systems, and sociocultural theories (Greene, 2017). This paper explores Lev Vygotsky’s theory of social development that highlights how sociocultural effects contribute to individual growth. The theory asserts that people usually learn through daily interactions with diverse groups. Vygotsky also stresses that the learning process is a collective responsibility of culture, parents, and caregivers that take care of infants during their childhood stages (Mcleod, 2020). Children usually develop culturally through social interactions and their internal psychology, which defines their cognitive levels as they grow. The zone of proximal development is where children or learners can accomplish tasks independently, though the theory recommends additional guidance form elders.
The sociocultural theory can be applied at a workplace through the formation of welfare groups that monitor their members’ welfare. This can be achieved conveniently at the departmental level, where the heads of each department regularly conducts team building activities to enhance individual interactions. Such programs can also be tailored to introduced new employees and urge them to always consult their colleagues for development purposes. This relates to a child’s scenario, where caregivers and parents are directly responsible for their cognitive development. Social interactions at work can increase an individual’s input, which benefits the organization through improved efficiency. Organizational policies are also established to accommodate new members through comprehensive orientations that familiarize them with the company. Once this is achieved, the management empowers employees at individual levels by entrusting them with vital tasks under minimal supervision. The staff gradually acquires cognitive skills from such cultural practices. The zone of proximal development as outlined in the theory requires senior employees to guide their juniors until the latter specializes in specific job descriptions.
Vygotsky’s theory addresses sociocultural issues by recommending the achievement of collective goals that enhance individual brilliance. Interpersonal interactions appreciates diversity by encouraging individuals to share their background stories that impacted their future from various perspectives. People share their cultural beliefs and practices through team building activities, enhancing cohesion. Employees entitled to specific powers and privileges also enlighten their colleagues on the significance of such positions. This encourages the juniors to enhance their cognitive skills to aim for competitive positions through discipline and hard work.