In particular, this model emphasizes the importance of environmental factors and social influences in shaping development and behavior.
What Does Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model Describe?
This model describes the interactions between individuals and their environments and how these complex relationships affect development over time.
d3sign/Moment/Getty images
The factors that influence development include a person’s immediate setting and the broader culture in which they live.
The theory stresses the interdependency and interaction between people and their environments.
Bronfenbrenner suggested that more nurturing and encouraging environments led to better developmental outcomes.
Bronfenbrenner was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States when he was six.
Bronfenbrenner earned his PhD in developmental psychology from the University of Michigan in 1942.
The book elaborated the key aspects of his theory.
Over time, Bronfenbrenner continued refining his ideas.
Ecological systems theory has gained widespread acceptance, significantly influencing developmental psychology and related disciplines.
The five main elements of Bronfenbrenners theory are the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem.
Microsystem
The microsystem is the innermost level, composed of an individual’s immediate environment.
The microsystem has the most direct, immediate impact on the individual.
A proposed update to Bronfenbrenner’s theory suggests two types of microsystems: physical and virtual.
Like the microsystem, the mesosystem has a direct effect on the individual.
The different microsystems are connected at this level.
This means that changes in one microsystem can then impact other microsystems.
In other words, how these elements interact can influence how a child develops.
For example, a child’s family and school interaction can impact learning and academic performance.
The individual does not have direct contact with these influences, but they still shape how a child develops.
These cultural beliefs are often shared by groups of people with a similar history or identity.
Such beliefs can also shift over time.
Such beliefs can also vary based on geographic location and socioeconomic status.
The changes in one level can have a resounding impact on the other levels.
These systems don’t just interact with the levels that proceed or follow them.
First introduced in 1965, Urie Bronfennbrenner served as a government advisor for the development of the program.
The program takes aholistic approachand supports infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to promote school readiness.
Mental Health Care
The ecological model also plays a role in informing mental health care.
Understanding ecological factors, for example, can produce greatercultural competencyamong therapists who work with diverse populations.
Summary
Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the many factors that affect development.
Understanding these influences and their complex connections is important.
Tudge J, Maria Rosa E.Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory.
In: Hupp S, Jewell J, eds.The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development.
2021;120:105754. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105754
Ceci SJ.Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005).Am Psychol.
2022;14(1):e21640.
2017;5(3):44.
2018;16(4):414-433. doi:10.1057/s41285-018-0065-6
Counseling Today.Using an ecological perspective.
2013;23(8):954-966. doi:10.1080/10911359.2013.800007
