CSHD - Brofenbrennor's Biological Model of D

Brofenbrennor’s Ecological Systems Theory

explains that an individuals development is shaped by their interconnected environmental systems

microsystem

• first level

• things that have direct contact with child in their immediate environment

• parents, siblings, classmates, teachers, neighbors

• bi-directional - other people can influence the child in their environment and change other ppl’s beliefs and actions

mesosystem

• second level

• a persons individual microsystems are interconnected and assert influence upon one another

• interactions between different microsystems

  • ex. a child who’s parents are very involved in their school life

exosystem

• third level

• incorporates other formal and informal social structures

• ex. local government, friends of the family, mass media

macrosystem

• focuses on how cultural elements affect a child’s development

• cultural ideologies, attitudes, social conditions, beliefs about gender roles, individualism, family structures, social issues

  • establish norms and values that permeate a child’s microsystem

chronosystem

• environmental changes over child’s lifetime

• ex: introduction of widespread internet access and social media

strengths

• became useful framework for psychologists, sociologists and teachers

• provides a wholistic approach to development

• useful to understand development of immigrant children

limitation

• limited research examining mesosystem

• difficult to empirically test the theory (cannot establish cause and effect)

• can cause assumptions (those who don’t have a strong + positive ecological system lack development)