This unit explores some of the key concepts in understanding social and human behaviour across the lifespan. It encourages students to make the links between their own personal values and a range of social and cultural phenomena. It investigates and critiques the role of the family and community as the foundation of human and social development, and the implications of this for social work practice. It also introduces the lifespan from infancy to old age accounting for the individual, social, cultural and structural dimensions. Throughout the unit there is an emphasis on critically reflecting on the research foundations of human development theories and the implications of these for practice.