Psychosocial perspectives on the lifecourse

Learning Objectives

After considering this resource, you should be able to appreciate the different lines of thought that a psychosocial approach encompasses, and what this perspective can bring to thinking about the lifecourse.

In this video, Liz Frost introduces the concept of the psychosocial and emphasises the importance of appreciating the individual in their environment. She discusses the different academic strands that a psychosocial perspective involves, and uses the example of love to explain the value of the psychosocial for thinking about human growth and development.

Download: Video transcript

Reflective Questions

  1. In what ways is love an important issue for social work practice?
  2. Why is an interdisciplinary approach to the lifecourse important?
  3. What do you see as the potential strengths and weaknesses of a psychosocial theory of the lifecourse?
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