Lesson 1:Human Development
Grading Period: Prelim
No. of hours: 5 hours per week
Sub-Topic/s:
a. Developmental Framework
b. Ecological Framework
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the interplay of various factors in human growth and development.
Prepare a case study showing the interaction among biological, psychological, socio-structural, gender, cultural
and spiritual factors that shape a person’s identity.
Define Social Work core concepts relevant to understanding human behavior as it applies to social work
practice.
Enabling Activity
Instruction: Create a “timeline of your life”. Include a short explanation to elaborate on the events in
the timeline.
Example:
“Life Timeline” Guidelines:
Paper Size: Long (Landscape)
Font Style: Century Gothic
Font Size: 11
Lectures and Discussions:
Read
DEVELOPMENT
as a vision, description, or measure of the state being of a desirable society
as a historical process of social change in which societies are transformed over long periods
as a consisting of deliberate efforts aimed at improvement on the part of various agencies, including governments,
all kinds of organizations and social movements.
DEVELOPMENT AS HISTORY AND PROCESS
Four issues surrounding the definition of development (Sue Ellen Charlton)
1.The role of ethical and moral choice in development
2.The structure of the international system in the late twentieth century
3.The influence and in some instances, domination of western norms and institutions in development concepts and
policies
4.The political control of development
Amartya Sen: Development as freedom
Main purpose of development is to spread freedom and „thousand charms‟ to the unfree citizens
Freedom is at once the ultimate goal of social arrangements and the most efficient means of realizing general
welfare.
Social institutions like markets, political parties, legislatures, the judiciary, and the like contribute to development by
enhancing individual freedom and are in turn serve social values
Values, institutions, development, and freedom are closely linked
Development
It is the process that takes us from our current reality to a vision of the future that benefits all of mankind.
It characterizes a sustained capacity to achieve a better life for all
Means improving the quality of life in all aspects (social, cultural, political, economic, ecological, etc). It includes
among others the delivery of basic services, securing economic independence and autonomy, and participation in
decision making of the members of the society especially those that directly affects them.
“Causing something to unfold, to grow, to change for the better, to be realized (Webster, 2002)
too often, development is interpreted as being synonymous with economic development, the increase in per capita
GDP. (Stiglitz, 2002)
Perspectives of Development
According to Seers (1979), the purpose of development is to reduce poverty. On the other hand, for Sen
(1999) development involves reducing deprivation and broadening choice. (economic perspective)
Economic Development Perspective
Economic development usually refers to the adoption of new technologies, transition from agriculture-based
to industry-based economy, and general improvement in living standards.
(http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/economic-development.html)
Sociological Perspective
Puts people at the center of development, regards economic growth as a means and not an end, protects
the life opportunities of future generations as well as the present and respects the natural systems on which
all life depends (Payne, 2005)
Indicators of Development
Human Development
The approach regards people’s well-being as the goal of development.
Human development is the widening of people’s choices in life. It means having the privilege to choose one’s life
direction over another because of preference rather than lack of opportunity. Knowledge, health and longevity,
livelihood and political freedom provide its bearers with greater chances for a better life. People who are poor,
unhealthy and illiterate simply have fewer choices in life.
The United Nations Development Programme proposed the concept of sustainable human development as an
alternative development paradigm.
