Reflective Practice is a term frequently used in psychological contexts. It increasingly crosses the divide into occupational and professional theory, as professionals seek to improve their performance by self analysis. It is now a widely accepted umbrella term for developmental practices popular with a whole range of organisations and educational institutions. The concepts behind the practice are available to every individual in the journey towards total wellbeing.
Reflection is as old as human life itself. It is simply the process of reflecting upon one’s activity, evaluating its effectiveness, and deciding what improvements are desirable. In the modern age it has come to the forefront of the self-development industry, thanks to such pioneers as Jean Piaget and Carl Jung. John Dewey is also a significant proponent of the practice and has inspired many of today’s practitioners. The movement is one towards the integration of theory and practice; using the best of human analysis and applying it to behaviour with a view to improving it. Reflection on one’s own behaviour and the conscious application of strategies to improve it forms the core of complementary self-help strategy today.
Gibb’s model provides a reflection process that is now widely used. It is a circular process of reflection, where the person must describe a given experience and provide an analysis and evaluation of their internal process during that experience. A focused examination of the emotions that arose allows them to make sense of the situation and develop an awareness of what alternative actions and outcomes were possible. This practice is supported by a main ‘Action Plan’ – an ongoing strategy that quite literally designs desirable reactions to future situations.
Reflective Practice provides an essential sense of direction in the self-development of professionals from every walk of life. Recently it has found vital application in the field of medical practice, where reactions to patients are carefully considered and improved. Meanwhile, those in business find their relationships and management skills improving steadily through the use of such practices. Anybody who deals with people can find an excellent support for their interactions by using this method, and benefit from the enhanced wellness of all those around them.
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