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Student Development In Higher Education. Student Development

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Student Development in Higher Education
Student Development theories provide foundation for higher education and student affairs professions and practices. The theories are applied to help address and understand student needs, design programs, develop policies, create healthy campus climates, and encourage the positive development of students (Patton, Renn, Guido, & Quaye, 2016, p. 7). The use of such theories in this case cannot only encourage student growth, but a successful resolution process.
Perry 's theory of intellectual and ethical development depicts student development through nine positions starting at a place of simplistic interpretation of the world and ultimately developing skills for more complex views due to developed …show more content…

Multiplicity
Patton et al. (2016) stated, "Perry characterized multiplicity as honoring diverse views when the right answers are not yet known" (p. 317). During the positions in this concept, students develop the skills to think analytically, using a combination of independent learning, and growing from a new respect for diverse views and peer knowledge. Professionals at William & Mary and the University of Missouri can use facilitated discussions to guide student development into this position of multiplicity and continue to encourage student development. By developing a diverse group to participate in the discussions they can encourage their students ' intellectual development using the fundamental guidance of Perry 's theory ultimately transitioning to the position of relativism.
Relativism
Student transition from multiplicity to relativism is founded in the student’s ability to recognize that there can be legitimacy to disagreements and that, "knowledge is contextually defined, based on evidence and supporting arguments" (Patton et al., 2016, p 317). On the surface students in the relativism positions can appear similar to those in the dualism positions, depicting strong stances and opinions (Patton et al., 2016, p 317). Yet the students who have reached relativistic thinking process have a higher degree of complex evidence and understanding behind their views (Patton et al., 2016, p 317). In the Jefferson case it is important for practitioners to

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