The purpose of this final paper is to enhance your knowledge and understanding of normal development during adolescence or adulthood. You should select a developmental task (or tasks) appropriate for either adolescence or adulthood. For example, the development of an identity is a task that typically occurs during adolescence in Erickson's theory of psychosocial development. You should review the literature related to this developmental task and write a comprehensive literature review that addresses not only the traditional views and theoretical explanations for this task, but also explores non-traditional explanations as well. For example, if you choose the issue of spousal abuse, you must address the traditional views outlined in the literature which define the cause and role of battering in interpersonal relationships including the alternative view of some theorists that violence in relationships can be viewed as acceptable behavior. In so doing, you must identify the value systems underlying both traditional and alternative views on the issues. Your literature review may focus on normal development in adolescence or adulthood, or abnormal development. Illustrating your literature with case examples, either from your field experiences or the literature is required. For example, you may focus on abnormal development in adolescence, providing a case example of how teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, or depression may derail the normal development process.
Additionally, each student will be responsible for interviewing a MSW faculty member who has experience with your topic to learn how the individual applies and integrates knowledge and values relating to human behavior and the social environment in their practice with clients with your selected developmental task. The student must also discuss the implications of the research for social work practice and social policy.
If you should use a work experience or field experience, please protect the identity of all individuals involved by changing the names, dates, and locales to protect the innocent persons involved.