The Material-Discursive-Intra-Psychic (MDI) Model
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should be familiar with how different disciplines can interplay to help provide a more fully informed and critical approach to HGD.
Human Growth and Development is a core part of social work training internationally and, albeit sometimes under different headings, it always has been. Without understanding and knowledge of emotional and social life it would be impossible to assess and support service users, work alongside others and it would also be impossible to care for oneself.
While for academic purposes, psychology, sociology and biology are seen as distinct disciplines, when it comes to addressing people’s real-life problems, it makes better sense for us to think in cross-disciplinary ways. The MDI model brings the strands together, offering a critical stance to psychology, informed by biology, sociology and – in particular - social constructionist ideas.
Reflective Questions
- Can we assume there are normal pathways to HGD, and if so how might we know?
- What can social workers gain from a more critical approach to their practice?
- How might an MDI approach influence your practice?