Bronfenbrenner Influence On Child Development

Over the past two decades, Bronfenbrenner’s theory has moved to the forefront through his approach to child development. His theory offers the most differentiated and complete account of contextual influences on child development (Berk & Meyers, 2015). Bronfenbrenner’s theory known as the Ecological system theory views the child’s development inside a complex system of relationship that are affected by multiple levels of the surrounding environment (p. 26). Biological influences and environmental forces shape a child’s development known as a bioecological model.
Bronfenbrenner’s theory consists of various structures and layers that form a complex system that contribute to a child’s development. It begins with home but extends from home to school, neighborhood settings, clubs and etc. Places where children spend time throughout their everyday life. The different layers of the system are microsystem, mesosytem, exosystem, and lastly the macrosystem (Berk & Meyers, 2015).
In order to understand child development at this level, it is important to understand that relationships are bidirectional. Bidirectional relationships refers to adult’s impact on child’s behavior and vice versa children impacting adults’ behaviors. Reciprocated interactions between adult and child can impact development. The impact on a child’s development can either be positive or negative. Example: Tim rarely listens to his parents instructions. He also has trouble at school with following directions. His behaviors can be distracting to his peers in class. As a result of Tim’s behaviors he is restricted from going to places outside of school. Microsystems are not just subjected to parent and child relationships but also other third parties within the microsystem (Berk & Meyers, 2015 p.