An Analysis; Brendtro, L.K.

2006, "The Vision of Urie Bronfenbrenner: Adults Who Are Crazy About Kids", Reclaiming Children and Youth, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 162- 166.

Amanda Lumsden

SOC105 - Understanding human behaviour across the lifespan: an introduction to psychology Werner Sattman-Frese 26th June, 2011. Introduction

Larry K. Brendtros article The Vision of Urie Bronfenbrenner: Adults Who Are Crazy About Kids is an auspicious summary of Bronfenbrenners Ecological Systems theory. In this essay I will outline the article, and critique Brendtros perspective. I will identify the related psychological theories, and critically assess the arguments presented in the context of developmental psychology.

I will review the article through both my own perspective and personal learning impacts. As well as viewing, Brendtros interpretation of Bronfenbrenners work, I will analyse his underlying primary motivation for the article.

An Outline of the Article Content

In the reviewed text, Brendtro describes Bronfenbrenner as a dedicated husband and father, a charity supporter, an international youth advocate, a pioneer, and a highly regarded secret scientist in a premium government facility. In the full article, he quotes only one person on their perception and personal experiences of Bronfenbrenner. A student that suggested Urie Bronfenbrenner was a prophet of the Lord. In the article, a story is relayed that Bronfenbrenner ignored a call from the vice president of the United States to continue his meeting with the student. Brendtro views him on the same pedestal as the student for the remainder of the article, a glowing review of Bronfenbrenners life work.

Brendtro states that Bronfenbrenner encapsulated the elements of many fields in the study of children to create a broader plane of understanding and

education, and thus was the founding father of human development. The reviewed text featured the circles of influence, and practical studies of children as his two greatest theological achievements.

Brendtro states that at the core of Bronfenbrenners developmental theories was one statement. That the trust that children place in their mentors are the strongest bonds, and the most influential to childhood development. It is from this belief that his entire concept of ecology in human development was created, and it was the first to truly encapsulate all the contributing elements of childhood development (Poch 2005).

An Identification of Psychological Theories

Brendtro states that Bronfenbrenner expands the concept of family, and identifies that mentor bonds with external parties are just as influential. This theory has been further researched by Bagwell, Newcomb, and Bukowski (1998) finding that a close relationship with an adult is linked with self-esteem in adulthood. Bronfenbrenners ecology of childhood believes that unconditional positive regard from an adult is imperative for a healthy emotional development. This relationship allows the young person to develop self esteem (Franco & Levitt 1998) and this needs to be an authentic relationship to be successful (Harter 1998). The self esteem that the child develops is integral to their confidence. A young person that lacks confidence can withdraw from social interaction, and society whilst confidence can propel them to fulfill their potential (Berk p.184, 2010).

Bronfenbrenners focus on role models during childhood development is a concept supported by Ericksons psychosocial theory of development. He theorizes that from the moment of birth till a child is a year old, trust is being developed. This trust results in adult confidence, and can only be developed by a loving and supportive carer. This pattern continues in Eriksons theory, with each psychosocial stage attributing parental influence for positive development. (Berk 2010, p.17)

Critical Assessment of the Arguments in the Context of Developmental Psychology

Although, Bronfenbrenners focus is solely on the bonds that the young person has developed, there is no scope for the limitations of that person. Just as important, yet missing from Bronfenbrenners Ecological Systems Theory is the personality and resilience of the child. A criticism of the work is that this focus is misdirected, and the potential of the individual child is ignored (Wertsch 2005). Bronfenbrenner (1979) states that the most important and influential aspect of a developing child is the employment of the parent. This base element of the Ecological Systems Theory is absent from Brendtros analysis, as is Bronfenbrenners insistence that the childs development is primarily influenced by events in which the child is not active in.

The article also eliminates the extent of Bronfenbrenners mentor and predecessor Kurt Lewins influence. This is obviously a deliberate exclusion, as Lewin is attributed in another of Brendtros articles. He states that

Bronfenbrenner expanded Lewins theories, and that Lewin inspired him to utilize real subject models, that observing the matter was the most successful way to interpret and understand it. (Brendtro, 2008)

The reviewed article is a preface to Bronfenbrenners work for those who are not familiar with it. Its primary purpose seems to be to highlight the basics of his work, and introduce Bronfenbrenner, rightfully so, as a founding father in childhood developmental theories. I find parallels from Bronfenbrenners work, to policies within the underprivileged youth sector where I am employed. In each company I have been aligned with, a mentor separate to the young persons carer is placed as a primary influencer and selected specifically for each child. I can only imagine that this is due, at least in part, to Bronfenbrenners Ecological Systems Theory.

Conclusion

Brendtros article was an easily comprehendible introduction to Bronfenbrenner and his ecological systems theory. His perspective was overwhelmingly positive, and served to develop my further my understanding of Bronfenbrenners work and human behaviour over the lifespan. Whilst there were elements of the theory that were eliminated from the reviewed text, I believe it was a tactical decision to simplify the concept for an unfamiliar reader. To conclude, the reviewed article was sufficiently informative. It resulted to both inform the reader on Bronfenbrenners work, and give an overwhelming positive description on the man behind the Ecological Systems Theory.

Berk, L.E. 2010, Development through the Lifespan, 5th ed, Ally & Bacon, Boston.

Brendtro, L.K. 2008, "Wings: The Legacy", Reclaiming Children and Youth, vol. 17, no. 2, 11-18.

Brendtro, L.K. 2006, "The Vision of Urie Bronfenbrenner: Adults Who Are Crazy About Kids", Reclaiming Children and Youth, vol. 15, no. 3, 162-166.

Bagwell, C. L., Newcomb, A. F., & Bukowski, W. M. (1998). Preadolescent friendship and peer rejection as predictors of adult adjustment. Child Development, vol. 69, no. 1, 140-153.

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, p.p. 3.

Franco, N. & Levitt, M.J. 1998, "The social ecology of middle childhood: Family support, friendship quality, and self-esteem", Family Relations, vol. 47, no. 4, 315-321.

Harter, S. (1998). The development of self-representations. In W. Damon & N. Eisenberg (Eds.), Handbook of child psychology, Vol. 3: Social, emotional, and personality development 553-618. New York: Wiley.

Poch, S. 2005, Higher education in a box, the International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 19, 2/3, 246-258

Wertsch, J.V. 2005, "Making human beings human: Bioecological perspectives on human development", The British Journal of Developmental Psychology, vol. 23, no. 0261510, 143-151.