...HS 5003, Survey of Research in Human Development and Behavior Course Instructor: Gerald Thauberger, MS, DM 05/30/2009 Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory Aaron D. Stewart "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 appreciation of personal development, it is clear that we, as humans, continually change and adapt to our environment. Bronfenbrenner's levels of development play an essential role in this process. The first stage in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory is the Microsystem. The Microsystem is described as the intimate system (the one we interact most commonly with); this system consists of family, school, peers, neighborhoods, churches, and health services. The Microsystem is the layer closest to the child and contains the structures with which the child has direct contact. The Microsystem encompasses the relationships and interactions a child has with their immediate surroundings (Berk, 2000). At this level, relationships have impact in two directions...
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...!1 Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory identifies 5 environmental systems that act with bi-directional influences amongst context and individuals to describe human development. From most intimate to least intimate, the components of this theory include: microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems, macrosystems, and chronosystems (Berk, 2010). This paper will describe how each of these systems shapes an individual’s life progression by analyzing their effects at the ages of twenty-five and forty-five on an interviewee, Kitty. These ages were chosen specifically because of the significant gap in their maturity levels. The majority of people experience different settings and relationships as young adults than they do later in their life and therefore the contexts the individual faces will be appropriately different at each of the two time periods. The most immediate connections and activities that are made on a day-to-day basis fall under the category of a microsystem (Berk, 2010). The birth of Kitty’s first daughter falls under this level of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory. At the age of twenty-five, Kitty’s daughter became the center of her attention and therefore one of the most important microsystems in her life at this time. She gave her child support, comfort, and everything necessary for survival, while the child motivated her mother to mature and take on more responsibility. This is an example of how there is always a...
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...According to Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, there are five different levels of environmental systems that affect human development. When these systems change in any way, it can have a big impact on a child’s growth. Unfortunately, a military child’s environment is constantly changing. For example, if a parent is deployed, this can cause changes in the hierarchy of the home in order to fill in the gap of the missing parent. Military families also often get orders to move, so the military child has to transition to new schools more often than nonmilitary children. A study conducted by USC and Israel’s Bar-Ilan University found that military youth reported having a variety of more problems than their nonmilitary counterparts. Even with so much research done...
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...Considering the Present Tony Camp PSY 202 Professor Henry 7/29/2014 In this paper I will discuss how becoming a father and how being the first in my family to attend college had a profound influence on my life. I will asses the influence of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory of each experience. According to (Mossler, 2013) “Urie Bronfenbrenner proposed a theory of ecological systems, which focused on broad, interconnected influences on human development.” (Section 2.6 “Urie Bronfenbrenner and Ecological System Theory,” para. 1). I will also examine how I learned from each of my experiences that are apparent in whom I am today and how these experiences apply to my online learning. There was a time when my wife and I thought we were incapable of having our own children together. Her doctor told her that she would never have children due to a procedure that was done during her early teen years on her cervix. This discouraging news made it seem impossible for us to have own our children. Despite the news, we never stopped trying. One day we finally got our blessing and it was confirmed that my wife was pregnant. I remember feeling like I had just hit the lotto when I got the news. The excitement only grew once the months rolled on. It was an incredible feeling when I got the chance to hear the heart beat for the first time and to find out that we were having a boy during a 3D ultrasound. I was ecstatic about becoming a father. I always wanted my own family and I...
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...Ajee Miles March 14, 2014 Child Development Dr. McMillian American Promise Bronfenbrenner’s theory stated that there were five environmental factors that impacted an individual's growth and development: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chronosystem. Throughout the documentary we come across issues of race, class and opportunity which all are related to Bronfenbrenner’s theory. According to Bronfenbrenner, “The theory focuses on the impact of biology on human behavior, while the ecological theory focuses on the impact that environment plays on the growth and development of an individual.” The documentary American Promise, directed by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, filmed their son, Idris, and his best friend, Seun. The journey showed the progress the children went through, as they went to one of the best private schools. This documentary shares the complex truths about America African struggles in today’s’ world. The images created of Black men in our society often confine them to environments shaped by drugs, crime, athletics, and academic failure. In this Documentary Idris and Seun are influenced by each level of Bronfenbrenner’s theory. Throughout the documentary they must learn how to live in a world where they are considered different. The microsystem refers to the environment in which an individual lives. This system includes family members, peers, religious communities, neighborhoods and others whom the individual has regular interaction...
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...Ecological Systems Theory I chose Ecological systems theory as my Term paper topic. Ecological systems theory, also called development in context or human ecology theory, identifies five environmental systems with which an individual interacts. The Microsystem which is the innermost level of the environment, The Mesosystem. The second level of Bronfenbrenner’s model, the mesosystem, encompasses connections between microsystems. The exosystem which consists of social settings that do not contain the developing person but nevertheless affect experiences in immediate settings, the outermost level of Bronfenbrenner’s model, the macrosystem, consists of cultural values, laws, customs, and resources and the cronosystem, ever changing environment. [Development through the Lifespan, Sixth Edition pg 24] This theory provides the framework from which community psychologists study the relationships with individuals' contexts within communities and the wider society. Ecological systems theory was developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner. This theory also looks at a child’s development within the context of the system of relationships that form his or her environment. Bronfenbrenner’s theory defines complex “layers” of environment, each having an effect on a child’s development. [Dede Paquette – John Ryan] http://www.dropoutprevention.org/sites/default/files/paquetteryanwebquest_20091110.pdf I chose this topic because I feel that focusing on one aspect of development throughout the...
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...Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Applications for Management4otherwise occur. However, the analysis done by Bronfenbrenner (1994) demonstratesthat factors, such as birth weight, mother’s education, and family situation impactchildhood development. The concept of external factors influencing an individual makessense. Lastly, understanding that the time one develops in, as well as the passage of time, both influence psychological development is an important concept. Application of Ecological Systems Theory to Management Numerous approaches have utilized Ecological Systems Theory to understand phenomena observed today. One study looked at dual-earner spouses and the impacts of employment and home life (Kulik & Rayyan, 2006). Another paper assesses impacts of changes to higher education by state governments (Poch, 2005). However, a search of databases such as Emerald Insight, Business Source Complete, ABI/INFORM complete,and PsychINFO show a lack of articles correlating Ecological Systems Theory or Bronfenbrenner with either management or leadership.Instead, I believe that Bronfenbrenner’s theory is best applied in developing amanager’s understanding of individuals, actions, and interactions. In particular,understanding the mesosystem and exosystem can benefit managers throughunderstanding sources of employee satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Kulik and Rayyan(2006) show in their research, that there is a correlation between job satisfaction, homesatisfaction, and spousal...
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...Penney and Annabel Tremlett | Description of work | Formative assignment | Word Count | 550 | Student Number (s) | 488901, 486768 | Date Submitted | 9th November | An Innovative Approach to Social Work Introduction The ‘ecological systems theory’ has been adapted to Children Services in New South Wales, Australia, as an approach to understanding the child in their context , which could be used to define a person’s behaviour in later life. This theory looks at how the child’s environment has an effect on their growth and development, providing a basis for how professionals can intervene in early years to support the child and family (Garbarino 1990, NICHD, 2000) (“Practice Grounded in Theory”, 2008). The model contrasts internal, individual or biological factors with external, social, environmental and relational factors (Wong and Cumming, 2008), implementing a holistic approach to the intervention. It combines the individual, the family and the community in underpinning issues that have contributed to the child’s development. For example, examining the child’s social factors could involve liaising with the school, the home, and other agencies, gaining an understanding of the whole situation. History of the ecological system This approach was evolved by Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979 which looks at the different systems which could influence a child’s life. The micro system is the relationship the child has with their immediate surroundings (Berk, 2000)...
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...Divorce in the American society is becoming an increasingly common trend as the years go by. Fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce and with each passing year, about 2 million children are brought into a whirlwind filled with changes and chaos after their parent’s separation (Divorce Rate). During this period of turmoil and intense emotion, the child is expected to rebuild numerous aspects of their lives and understand a series of complex events. They are most likely to see the sudden difference in financial stability, new duties around the house and may receive less nurturing from their parents as well. These series of events will lead to a difference in each of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems, which include, the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and the chronosystem. This ecological systems theory primarily puts the center of attention on the quality of a child’s environment and also focuses on how these complex layers will each effect a child’s development through the divorce period. Many may think that while a child of divorce is in their infant stage, that a divorce will not affect their lives. This is mainly because it is believed that the child will automatically grow into a life where they are used to their parents being separated and not encounter severe changes like other children who deal with divorce at an older age. Although infants may not completely understand the conflict of divorce, they are able to sense and react to changes in parental...
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...Considering the Present Tamara Spriggs PSY 202 October 5, 2014 Considering the Present In life I have encounter some life changing events, some was negative and somewhere positive. Either way it has made an impact on my life. I have overcome the obstacles that have come along the way and it had definitely shape me into the person I am today. In the paper I will discuss some past experiences of, which have influenced my abilities in online learning. Family and graduating from a low budget high school and the influences of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, which includes the theory of the microsystem and mesosystem (Mossler, 2013) assisted me with the ability to study online productively. I will discuss how my past experiences of family and living a healthy lifestyle have influenced my online learning in the present. Family Stepping out and getting married to start my own family, I knew changes and me adapting to a whole different environment was part of this new life. The fact that I was accepting the life as an Air force Wife I knew that I was going to have to make some scarifies. I was fine with making scarifies when the time came, but I didn’t want that to have to go towards my education. My husband understood and knew how going to school was important to me. So I went to a community college until I found out I was expecting my first child and my husband was getting deployed. So I had to put my school off due to the fact, it was impossible to accomplish...
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...is shaped by their social contexts resulted in increased efforts. Bronfenbrenner believed that a person’s development was affected by everything in their surrounding environment(Developmental Psychology, 2013). He therefore divided the person’s environment into five incomparable levels(microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and the chronosystem) and has had a particularly wide and significant influence in shaping our understanding of how different levels of the system in the social context interact in the process of child development.Thus this essay will discuss these different environmental levels by referring to my educational background and examining the influences in my life. Microsystem Beginning with the first level of Bronfenbrenner's theory: the microsystem which is the system closest to the person and the one in which they have direct contact. Some examples would be home, school, daycare, or...
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...The Ecological Model and My Own Development David O Cook Liberty University Counseling 620 April 12, 2015 Abstract According to McWhirter (2013), “Bronfenbrenner’s (1994) ecological model rests on the thesis that humans develop and grow within the context of a number of reciprocal systems” (p. 21). The theory presents that adolescence’s development is effected by everything in their surroundings. This paper will address the different systems that divide the ecological systems theory and how they have affected my own development through my life. Microsystem The first level discussed in the ecological theory will be the microsystem. This is the part that is closest around the person and is especially important to development because there is direct contact to the person (McWhirter et al, 2013). Example of the system would be a home environment, work place and school. This microsystem would include family members, other peers and direct caregivers. These relationships that are in this system can be viewed as reciprocal in direction. The interactions in the relationships are made up of reactions on both sides. These actions of the person are influenced by how they are treated in the relationship. This could be looked at as the most influential system in the theory. The microsystem in my own development would consist mostly of my family in the home environment. In my early life I was around four older brothers and two older...
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...thinking of the times in which they arose. Some more recently developed theoretical perspectives focus on children’s internal processes and others on external influences related to development. This essay will discuss two different theoretical approaches - sociocultural theory, which stresses that social interaction is fundamental in the role of physical, cognitive and social development, and ecological systems theory, which integrates a holistic approach to encompassing the key individual and environmental influences on child development. The focus of the discussion is a comparative analysis of a theory from each of these approaches. A Discussion of the Theories of Bronfenbrenner and Vygotsky According to Berk (2013), there are three basic questions to consider in the area of child development. “Firstly, is the course of development continuous or discontinuous? Secondly, does the rate of development differ among children? And thirdly, what roles do genetic and environmental factors have in development?” This paper considers Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems...
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...Biology Biome: the largest division of the biosphere. Biosphere: the thin layer of air, land, and water on or near Earth’s surface in which all living things on Earth exists. Climatograph: A graph of climate data for a specific region. Ecosystem: a part of a biome in which abiotic components interact with biotic components. Biodiversity: the variety of all living species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms on Earth. Niche: The special role an organism plays in an ecosystem, including the way in which it contributes to and fits into environment. Structural adaptations: a physical feature of an organism’s body having a specific function that contributes to survival of the organism. Physiological: a physical and chemical event that occurs within the body of an organism that enables survival. Behavioral: what an organism does to survive in the unique conditions of its environment. Species: a group of closely related organisms. Population: all members of a particular species. Community: all the population of the different species. Bioremediation: the use of organisms (micro or plants), to break down chemical pollutants in water or soil to reverse/lessen environmental damage. Decomposition: breaking down of organic wastes and dead organisms. Biodegradation: action of living things such as bacteria to break down dead organic matter. Decomposer: change wastes and dead organisms into usable nutrients. Detrivores: consumers that obtain their energy by eating bodies...
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...Saving Energy Agriculture is at risk from climate change as temperatures, pest levels and growing seasons change. However, agriculture also contributes to these effects through emissions from fertilizers, water wastage and biological processes. A third of vegetables and fruit consumed in the EU are produced by protected horticulture. As 90% of the greenhouse growers are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), they have to compete with cheaper labor, production costs and regular supply from producers outside the EU. The EU-funded EUPHOROS project increased the efficient use of inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides in protected horticulture. The four-year study, completed in August 2012, developed a sustainable greenhouse system that does not fully rely on fossil fuels for energy and minimizes the carbon footprint of agriculture. The project achieved a 50% reduction in the amount of energy used as well as a sizeable saving of chemical inputs: a third less fertilizers and a tenth less pesticides. The result was a number of structured components that can be used by farmers across the EU, three of which contain innovative tools and systems to reduce energy, water, fertilizer, pesticide consumption and waste. Another intervention optimizes the growing environment, developing innovative and robust monitoring tools. A theoretical analysis was also conducted throughout the project to quantify the reduction of resource inputs and carbon footprint delivered by each component, together...
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