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STUDENT DETAILS ACAP Student ID: 167761 Name: Grant Overend Course: Diploma of Counselling ASSESSMENT DETAILS Unit/Module: Counselling Theories Educator:Mark Shrubsole Assessment Name: Assessment Number: 1 Term & Year: Term 1 2013 Word Count: 595 DECLARATION I declare that this assessment is my own work, based on my own personal research/study . I also declare that this assessment, nor parts of it, has not been previously submitted for any other unit/module or course, and that I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise plagiarised the work of another student and/or persons. I have read the ACAP Student Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Policy and understand its implications. I also declare, if this is a practical skills assessment, that a Client/Interviewee Consent Form has been read and signed by both parties, and where applicable parental consent has been obtained.

1. Identify four key personality / human development theories

Sigmund Freud - Developmental model Erik Erikson - Psychosocial Stages of Development Abraham Maslow - Hierarchy of Needs model Jean Piaget - Stages of Cognitive Development

2. Explain the concept of Nature vs Nurture

This concept concerns the degree of influence of innate, inherited genetic material originating at conception as opposed to the social, physical impacts upon personality development following birth.

3. Explain the concept of genetic inheritance and how it applies to counselling.

Genetic inheritance is seen to be a significant contributor to personality makeup and therefore an important concept relative to counselling as it provides a means of understanding life choices and experiences.

In helping identifying the connections between parental influences and life choices a client can be empowered to guide their decision making and life strategies.

4. Explain Freud's concept of the unconscious and why it is important in counselling.

Freud believed the unconscious to be a highly powerful force as regards psychological issues. He saw it as container for repressed material; that which because of if its personal or socially unacceptable nature, needs to remain hidden.

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He believed that establishing awareness of these shadow aspects facilitated growth, healing and integration.

5. List the three different aspects of personality identified by Freud. Briefly explain how they relate to each other.

Freuds structural model of the psyche consists of three parts: id, ego & superego. He believed the psychic energy available to us limited, and that a competitive, dynamic interplay exists where one aspect can gain control at the expense of the others.

The ID aspect, which is present from birth, is seen to represent our biological drives for physical satisfaction which is contained within the notion of the pleasure principle, its primary drive is that of tension relief. The ID is somewhat akin to a spoilt brat whose desire is to have all needs met immediately. The ego aspect is the executor of the psyche, controlling consciousness and interfacing the physical/social environment through what is known as the reality principle. The ego relates to the ID by way of its tendency to regulate the IDs chaotic, directionless tendencies.

Finally, the Superego represents idealistic moral and social values derived from our parents, friends and broader cultural influences and strives to achieve perfection by promoting these moral values. It does so by influencing the ego to adopt more realistic and socially acceptable behaviour. In addition, it too seeks to inhibit ID impulses that conflict with its moral code.

6. List Freud's Psychosexual stages. Briefly explain each one.

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Oral - The child's mouth, lips and tongue as the primary focus during which he or she learns to learns to feed and self-sooth.

Anal - The child begins to develop bladder and bowel control.

Phallic - The child becomes aware of his genitals or lack thereof as a girl.

Latency - Libidinal energy is said to be dormant in this phase as the child's focus is turned to developing relationships with other children.

Genital - Begins in adolescence with the onset of puberty and ends when the child's body matures sexually.

7. List the needs in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Briefly explain how they relate to each other.

Physiological Needs - These are basic material needs in the form of food, water and shelter and warmth.

Safety & Security Needs - These include financial security through a job, having a bank account and the need to feel physically safe.

Belongingness and love needs - These are met through engagement with family, friendships and intimate relations.

Self-esteem needs - These are derived from a sense of acceptance and recognition by a group as a being a valued member.

Self-actualization needs - Once the other needs have been met people become interested in knowledge, social justice and focussed more on others rather than self.

8. List Erikson's eight psychosocial stages of development and the tensions present within each stage.

Oral-Sensory - Trust vs Mistrust

Muscular-Anal - Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt

Locomotor-Genital - Initiative vs Guilt

Latency - Competence vs Inferiority

Adolescence - Identity vs Role Confusion

Early Adulthood - Intimacy vs Isolation

Middle Adulthood - Generativity vs Self-Absorption

Mature Adult - Integrity vs Despair