Bronfenbrenner's ecological model of human development

Bronfenbrenner Ecological Model

Comment by Sabina:

Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System Theory is about a child's development within the context of relationships in the child's life. Bronfenbrenner's theory is based on different complex layers of the child's environment, with each different layer impacting and affecting the development of the child. In this model of child development the microsystem and mesosystem are both important influential factors in the development of the child. The microsystem and mesosystem impacts the development of the layers in the developing child. Bronfenbrenner's theory also accounts for the individual's biological makeup. The Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System Model basically explains how nurture influences nature to create the individual. This theory is about the complex layers in the child that were created by both biological factors and environmental factors. The breakdown of any of these layers will cause a rippling effect in the development of the child.

The environment in which is child is raised is extremely important. The child's interaction with their environment begins simplistic and eventually grows to become complex. As the child grows physically and cognitively, their relationship with their environment becomes even more complex. The fundamental belief of the Bronfenbrenner's theory is that stability is extremely important in the child's environment. Children need to have a stable relationship with their parents or adults who are their caretakers. When stability is broken with the relationship between parent and child, or caretaker and child, the child will then begin to look for attention in inappropriate places. In Bronfenbrenner's theory the two most important variables are the individual and the environment (Darling, 2007). Bronfenbrenner found a great example of how social class as an environmental factor influences the development of children. Over the generations the upper and middle class has placed a lot of weight in expert advice, such as pediatricians and psychologists, while the working class lagged behind. The upper and middle class took the advice to be stricter and discipline, then they shifted with advice to be supportive, then again they shifted back to strict and discipline, however the working class was always behind (Darling, 2007). This is a great example of environmental influences.

Poehlmann et. al. (2010) research found that the stability of the microsystem is extremely important in the development of the child and their well being. Children whose parents are incarcerated are impacted in many ways, they lose a parent, often times they are relocated from their homes, it creates an unstable environment for the child. The destruction of a family and separation of the family creates a significant impact on the development and well being of the child. It also changes the mesosystem, which impacts the development of the child. Children depend of the stability of their microstyem and mesosystem to help support their healthy development. Children who are pulled out of their homes because of abuse or any other unfortunate situations are placed in foster homes, often in different foster homes. These instabilities often create significant negative impact on the development and well being of the child (Poehlmann et. al., 2010). It is important for the well being and development of the child, for the child to be surrounded by a loving, supportive and stable microsystem and mesosystem.

The exosystem is a distant layer of the social system that the child usually does interact directly with this layer. The changes within this structure however could impact the life of the child. The parents work environment falls within the exosystem, and if there are significant changes in this layer it could impact the child. The macrosystem is a distant layer, it consists of cultural values and laws. The chronosystem is a dimension in time, perhaps the time where a parent passed away, or time of parents' separation. These are all things that would impact the development and well being of the child.