1/30/2013
Brofenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory
The Brofenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory has been renamed recently as the ‘Bioecological System’s Theory’. This theory throws light on the development of a child, with the virtue of the system of relationship context, which forms their environment (Thudge et al) . This theory further suggests that different complex environmental layers mold them up. This theory has made great efforts to explain the different layers, which directly influence a child’s development. There are certain factors that are responsible for steering the development of the child. These include the child’s maturing biological factors, their abrupt change in the family / community background, and the societal environment. Any change or conflict in one layer could seriously affect the other (Ecological Theory of Bronfenbrenner, 2012). It is said that the existence oof one is responsible for the existence of the other. The major factor which is responsible for the analysis of a child’s development includes the interactions at a larger environment as well (Paquettec & Ryan, 2001) .
The Brofenbrenner’s Structure (Bronfenbrenner) includes: * Microsystem
It is the layer which is closest to a child during its development. This layer includes all those structures the child is in direct contact which. It also includes all the relationships and interactions they have with their surroundings. Family, school, neighborhood etc. is the included contacts in this layer. Studies have shown that considering these factors the relationships they develop or receive may have two types of impact on them. It is said that a child’s belief may be altered by the parents and vice versa. This feature is known as the bi-directional influences. The basis of this theory is the understanding of the structural interactions between and within the layers. In this layer, the interactions of structures with
References: Addison, J. T. Urie Bronfenbrenner. Human Ecology. (1992). Crandell, T. L., Crandell, C. H., & Vander Zanden, J. W. (2009). Human development (9th ed.). Boston,MA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Dede Paquette & John Ryaan. (2001). Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory. Retrieved from http://people.usd.edu/~mremund/bronfa.pdf Ecological Theory of Bronfenbrenner. (2012). Ecological Theory of Bronfenbrenner. Retrieved from <http://nacce.org/ecological-theory-of-bronfenbrenner/> Henderson, Z. P. Renewing our social fabric. Human Ecology. (1995). Jonathan R.H. Thudge, Irina Mokrova, Bridget E. Hatfield and Rachana B. Karnik. (n.d.). Uses and Misuses of Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory of Human development. Retrieved from <http://www.uncg.edu/hdf/facultystaff/Tudge/Tudge,%20Mokrova,%20Hatfield, %20%26%20Karnik,%202009.pdf> Kevin James Swick & Reginald D. Williams. (2006). An Analysis of Bronfenbrenner’s Bio Ecological Perspective for Early Childhood Educators:: Implications for Working with Families Experiencing Stress. Retrieved from <http://people.usd.edu/~mremund/bronffamily.pdf> Urie Bronfenbrenner. (n.d). Appendix : Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model of Child Development. Retrieved from <http://oconto.uwex.edu/files/2011/02/AppendixB BronfenbrennersEcologicalModelofChildDevelopment.pdf>