The Four Systems of the Bioecological Model of Human Development Essay Example
The Four Systems of the Bioecological Model of Human Development
SOC 312
Instructor: Stacey Rose
The Four Systems of the Bioecological Model of Human Development
| |
For many, the idea that biology and genetics influence human development is not a foreign concept; however it has become increasingly accepted that ecological systems also play and intricate role in this development. Ecological systems primarily focus on the interpersonal relationships one has with their environment. A child’s environment tremendously impacts how they learn, how they develop intellectually, cognitively, emotionally, and what their morals and values become. The bioecological model of human development that Urie Bronfenbrenner developed gives light to the fundamental impact that social interactions and environment have in human development. He describes four distinct systems that are the most influential: microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems, and macrosystems. Bronfenbrenner’s theory proposes that the four types of environments all simultaneously influence an individual. He suggests that people cannot fully understand human development without considering how a person is influenced through each of these systems (Zaden, 2007). These environments create the continuity of change that extends throughout the course of a lifetime and the residual effects carry through the generations to come (Bronfenbrenner and Morris, 2007). The developing person’s interactions between their microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem unveil the person they will become. The first system that influences development is the microsystem. The microsystem refers to the interaction and relationship that the individual has with significant figures in their life such as, family, peers, school, and the community (Berns, 2010). This system’s interactions are in a close setting of their immediate environment and would be considered the most influential system of the
SOC 312
Instructor: Stacey Rose
The Four Systems of the Bioecological Model of Human Development
| |
For many, the idea that biology and genetics influence human development is not a foreign concept; however it has become increasingly accepted that ecological systems also play and intricate role in this development. Ecological systems primarily focus on the interpersonal relationships one has with their environment. A child’s environment tremendously impacts how they learn, how they develop intellectually, cognitively, emotionally, and what their morals and values become. The bioecological model of human development that Urie Bronfenbrenner developed gives light to the fundamental impact that social interactions and environment have in human development. He describes four distinct systems that are the most influential: microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems, and macrosystems. Bronfenbrenner’s theory proposes that the four types of environments all simultaneously influence an individual. He suggests that people cannot fully understand human development without considering how a person is influenced through each of these systems (Zaden, 2007). These environments create the continuity of change that extends throughout the course of a lifetime and the residual effects carry through the generations to come (Bronfenbrenner and Morris, 2007). The developing person’s interactions between their microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem unveil the person they will become. The first system that influences development is the microsystem. The microsystem refers to the interaction and relationship that the individual has with significant figures in their life such as, family, peers, school, and the community (Berns, 2010). This system’s interactions are in a close setting of their immediate environment and would be considered the most influential system of the