Foundation: Sociology and General Systems Theory

Foundations of Human Development in the Social Environment

* Biological, psychological, and social development are the process in which humans must go through until they reach adulthood. These three development systems operate together in the affect of behavior. In this paper I will describe the interactions between the bio-psycho-social dimensions of development. Explain the concept of human diversity and cultural competence and explain the connection between general systems theory and social order. Comprehending the general systems theory and how it works, having cultural competency, and being able to understand the bio-psycho dimensions of human development are all important factors in providing effective services in human service careers. *
The Interactions between the Bio-psycho-social Dimensions of Development There are three dimensions of human development. These dimensions are biological, psychological, and social development. The process in which a organisms grow and developed is the biological development. Psychological variables interact with biological and social factors to affect an individual’s situation and behavior. The involvement of cognition, emotion, personality, and self-concepts are all part of human psychological development. Their interaction influences the potential courses of action available to a person at any point in time.(Zastrow 2010) Adult social personality is provided by foundation of childhood social interaction. Growth, change, and well-being all are impacted when biological, psychological, and social development interact. How adolescent behave are affected by the biological development and maturation. Also, the transaction between individuals and their social environment can be affected by the biological development.

* The Concept of Human Diversity and Cultural Competence *
To accept and respect is the concept of human diversity. Being able to understand and recognized individual differences regardless of their age, race, sexual orientation, physical abilities or religious belief. Understanding the concept of human diversity is about understanding one another and being able to move beyond tolerance within an individual. Being presents in other individuals and groups and knowing how to relate to those qualities and conditions that are different from our own in which we belong is included in diversity. We respect individual rights to self-identification, recognize that no one culture is intrinsically superior to another and also, acknowledge that categories of difference are not always fixed but also can be fluid. Professionals that enable effective work in cross-cultural situation, agency, attitudes, set of congruent behaviors and policies that come together in a system is cultural competence. Social groups, religious, ethnic, institutions of racial, values, beliefs, customs, actions, communications , thoughts, and integrated patterns of human behavior are referred to culture.
Competence' implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities. (Adapted from Cross, 1989).

* The Connection between General Systems Theory and Social Order *

Ludwig von Bertalanffy a theoretical biologist founded the general systems theory. This is a theory of order and it has been likened to a science of wholeness. Social movement for many people has been taken because of the revolutionary nature of thought in general system theory. In broad prospective of the world the general systems theory has become a way of thinking more than a theory. Adapting to this perspective has set up a foundation for developing social systems perspective. To formulate the principles of the organization is aim for the general systems theory.