Introduction
The purpose of this essay is to choose and summaries one developmental theory; and discuss its relevance in relation to findings from the “Growing up in New Zealand” study.
I have chosen Urie Bronfenbrenner the Ecological Systems Theory. I will look at the findings of the Now We Are Born Report that has collated study cohort data from birth to 9 months old (Morton, Atatoa-Carr, Grant, Lee, Bandara, Mohal, Kinloch…et al 2012). I will discuss how two finding relate to Brofenbreener’s model.
Urie Bronfenbrenner: Ecological System Theory
Urie Bronfenbrenner states “that in order to understand human development, one must consider the entire ecological system in which growth occurs “(Brofenbrenner, 1993). His Ecological System Theory describes five different concentric layers (see figure 1.0) of differing environment context that interact to affect child development (Clairborne, Drewey 2010, p20).
Figure 1.0. Retrieved and adapted from: http://faculty.weber.edu/tlday/human.development/ecological.htm
At the centre, the child, who’s genes, genetic predispositions and temperament influences their biological process, behavior and personality. The child interacts with the Microsystem or the system in which the child lives. The agents of socialisation the child interacts with directly such as family, peers, and daycare. This interaction is two ways and the child’s participations helps create the environment the interaction takes place in (Santrock, 2004, p 50).
The Ecological Systems Theory was founded by Urie Bronfenbrenner. This theory focuses on the impact of the environment on a child’s overall development. The identifying characteristics of Bronfenbrenner’s theory are the five systems used to organize external influences within a child’s development. These systems are the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. Each system is aligned with specific interaction levels. The microsystem is considered to be the most intimate of the levels, in which development is dependent on the immediate environment. The immediate environment would include adults, peers, and siblings with influence to learning new behaviors and the environment in which the
The ecological system theory developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner views the child development as being in a system of connections affected by many levels of the surrounding environment (Berk,2006). This approach discussed by Berk (2006) starts with the inner most layer of this system being the microsystem. This system is made up of all the settings that personally interact and influence the child. Explained from Laser and Nicotera 2011) the immediate influences from the microsystem for an infant starts with the home and the interactions the child has with their parents or caregiver. This level in the system helps the child form social relationships that later in their life will take part in activities outside of the home. This type of involvement builds on the child’s physical skills (playing at the park, or out on recess) and cognitive abilities (involvement with preschool, schools and daycare). For Walter, many of
In order to understand how Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory of human development applies to children of the European migrant crisis, it may be useful to start by explaining what the ecological systems theory is. This theory was published in 1979 and was developed by developmental psychologist, Urie Bronfenbrenner. It is an evolving theoretical system developed for the use of scientific study on the area of Human Development (Bronfenbrenner, 2005 as cited in Damon & Lerner, 2006, p. 793). Human Development describes the growth in humans throughout their lifespan (http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentecourse/f/dev_faq.htm). The bioecological model of human development is defined as the following; “The phenomenon of continuity and change in the biopsychological characteristics of human beings, both as individuals and as groups. The phenomenon extends over the life course, across successive generations, and through historical time, both past and future.” (Damon, M. & Lerner M. R, 2006, p.793)
One successful means of compromise was offered by Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979, when he introduced the "Ecological Model" of child development. His model, which looks like a bulls-eye, has the child and his or her individual characteristics at its center. The first "ring" around the child is the microsystem, consisting of the child's immediate surroundings. The next "ring" is the mesosystem, a series of connection between elements of the microsystem. The third "ring" is the exosystem, containing the people and institutions that affect the child indirectly. The final "ring" is the macrosystem, composed of the attitudes and ideologies of society as a whole. In the model all of the layers surrounding the child interact both with each other and with the child. Bronfenbrenner's ecological model of child development can serve as an effective framework for understanding the impact of health care, homelessness, and violence on children living in poverty, and it can guide for our attempts to improve conditions for children and youth in America.
Development psychology has many ideas of how humans are influence during their development. The ones that this paper will be covering are the Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems, nature and nurture influences and cultural influences. I have also given my own personal influence to further demonstrate my understanding of each idea.
Bronfenbrenner’s (1977, 1979, 1989, 1993, 1994) ecological theory suggested that child (human) development occurs for the child within the context of various environments. These environments, or systems, are influenced from within and between other environments. The individuals within each system influence each other through various transactions that occur between them.
"Ecological systems theory is an approach to study of human development that consists of the 'scientific study of the progressive, mutual accommodation, throughout the life course, between an active, growing human being, and the changing properties of the immediate settings in which the developing person lives, as this process is affected by the relations between these settings, and by the larger contexts in which the settings are embedded'" (Bronfenbrenner, 1989, page or #). When reading and researching to gain deeper understanding and
Bronfenbrenner Analysis Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Urie Bronfenbrenner is today credited and known in the psychology development field for the development of the ecological systems theory constructed to offer an explanation of the way everything in a child and their environment affects the whole child development. Bronfenbrenner ecological theory has levels or aspects of the environment containing roles, norms, and rules defining child development namely the microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosytem, the macrosystem and the chronosystem. The subsequent discussion offers an analysis of these levels and their influence to child development, and then offers a personal analysis of the influence of the ecological theory in decision making.
Developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner first introduced the Ecologicial Systems model in the 1970’s. Bronfenbrenner argued that to understand human development, the environment in which the person belongs must be understood (Bronfenbrenner, U.1979). The Ecological Systems model concentrically depicts how a person’s development is influenced by their wider environment. In the original model there were four ecological levels in the system, however in 1979 Bronfenbrenner added an additional fifth level (Bronfenbrenner, U. 1994). With the developing person in the centre, the five progressive levels of environment include the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, marcosystem and the chronosystem.
After reading chapter one I know that development is change and when it comes to development in the stages of life. I know that there are five characteristics to human development or growth. Those five are multidirectional, multicontextual, multicultural, multidisciplinary, and plastic. I will only discuss or explain three of the five stages of development. The first one I will be explaining is multicontextual. Multicontextual is the second stage in human development they are mostly physical, cognitive, biological, historical, and community just to name a few, basically, things that affects everyone. Ecological systems approach which is the view that study human development of ones in all contexts and interactions that constitute a life. The
Urie Bronfenbrenner bioecological theory of human development looks at a child’s development through five interlinking environmental systems. The conditions that govern these systems are made up of the individual’s cultural and societal influences. This essay will explain the five systems, the Microsystems, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem and Chronsystem and how I feel they have affected my own development throughout my childhood and adolescence. In Bronfenbrenner’s model of the five intertwined social systems, he places the microsystem as the layer closest to the child.
Bronfenbrenner (Sigelman & Rider, 2014) created an ecological system model which illustrates both direct and indirect influences (these influences are bi-directional) in an individual’s growth environment. This ecological system consists of five systems which all have an individual as their same centre and gradually extend from this individual to the last and largest system, including minute but immediate impacts like a bee in the garden that stung this individual and macroscopical but subtle impacts like global warming. Meanwhile, they are inclusive, as Te Whariki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, describes it as “a set of nested Russian dolls” (The Ministry of Education, 1996, page.19), which means these in systems, one contains another.
The method in which children come into their development is a very significant procedure that every person should be able to recognize. Children are not all the same so their development is not the same either. In fact, most children cannot even be treated the same when in regards to their development. To get a better understanding that involves the way children and teenagers grow a person would need to really recognize and comprehend the model of human development. This essay will emphasis on the Bio ecological Model of Human development; the diverse systems that are within human development and also how each of the systems are different.
The ecological theory of development that was proposed by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005), is relevant to state all of our lives. Bronfenbrenner’s research demonstrates how our development is affected by the environment in which we live. The model consist of five major systems; microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. "Ecological systems theory is an approach to study of human development that consists of the scientific study of the progressive, mutual accommodation, throughout the life course, between an active, growing human being, and the changing properties of the immediate settings in which the developing person lives, as this process is affected by the relations between these settings, and by the larger
This paper will discuss how a child’s development is influenced by environmental and cultural influences as well as parenting styles and education. This will be argued through four topics including