Analysis of theories impacting creation of ethical standards of practice in medicine and human services

Abstract

Developmental psychology is segmented into three areas or domains: biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial. Biosocialdevelopment relates to the growth and developments within the human body and is viewed as pertaining to physicalgrowth beginning at the conception of human life through to its death. Included within the biosocial developmentdomain are biological functions, cultural influences, and environmental factors. All these aspects affect all stages of growthfrom the ‘cradle to the grave.’ Cognitive development theory is directed at the mental aspect of growth and includesmemorizing and processing challenges or problems at every stage of human growth. This development domain includesthe capacity to analyze, evaluate and process decisions as and when they occur. This capacity to perceive and understandis divided into stages or phases of development, occurring throughout the ‘cycle’ of life. This review turns to three of manydevelopmental theories, namely ‘Behavioral’, ‘Cognitive’ and ‘Sociocultural’. While analyzing these theories, the focus isdirected at how they impact and influence moral values and practices. Furthermore, more specific attention is targetedtowards how moral development theories have brought about human behavior changes. When ascertaining the relativityof morality within human behavior, we aim to seek to determine how issues and theories relating to morality enablesethical standards to be planned and implemented within the area of medicine and human services