Ecological Model and its Influence on Own Development

Abstract

The basic tenet of the ecological model proposed by Bronfenbrenner comes to tell us that human development involves the gradual mutual accommodations amongst the humans that is being developed, and on the other hand involves the modifying properties of the direct surroundings where the human lives. There are four separate systems presented in the ecological model of human development. All the systems discussed above contain rules, norms and roles guiding the human development. This ecological model is an effective means through which the human development can be determined. This paper discusses the ecological model and its four different systems. This paper also discusses the influence of the ecological model on my own development.

Ecological Model and its Influence on Own Development

Introduction

The term ecology was introduced in 1866 by Ernst Haeckel, a German biologist, while working to define the relationships between living things and the environment in which they operate (Tessier and Bouchard, 1987). This term appeared at the same time when Darwin proposed his theory of natural selection, a theory stating that environmental conditions play a role in the evolution of species. Initially, the object of study of ecology is habitat, defined as a medium, that is to say, as a set of variables influencing each other. The ecological model has taken root in the field of biology and natural sciences. The use of the ecological model in the psychosocial field is, in turn, much more recent. A developed individual is the person who is capable of rational logical thinking as shown by scientists. The capabilities we have are like a computer that has to be able to solve problems that are presented in a world of physical objects (Bronfenbrenner, 1994). The first written reference to ecological model in psychology is dated mainly from the early 1970s. It is, however, following the publication of the book in 1979 by Urie Bronfenbrenner, The ecology of human development that further promoted this model amongst the psychosocial workers. This book is considered as a reference in the field as it provides comprehensive assumptions of the ecological approach and its usefulness in the study of human development. Since then, publications and areas of application of this model in the psychosocial field have increased extensively.

Ecological Model

According to this model, human development is a dynamic process that goes in two directions. On one hand, the man himself restructures his living environment, and on the other hand, he is influenced by elements of the environment. Specifically, the ecological model proposes to analyze situations through a setting where five levels of systems interact. This is to better understand how to build, for example, the experiences of a child in a given context (Vleet, 2011). These systems communicate by the two-way links, significantly influencing the organization of situations in which individuals work. The human development ecology, therefore, pays particular consideration towards the communications amongst the humans and their environment, more specifically the environment perceived by them.

The five main systems are briefly presented below:

The ...