One of the important attributes of theory is the ability to help explain and predict outcomes. Within development, this couldn’t be truer. Developmental theories have helped researchers and professionals alike be able to understand how influential factors impact development and lead to positive and negative outcomes later on in life. A popular development theory, the ecological theory by Urie Bronfenbrenner, suggests that the interaction between the individual and various levels of environment context contribute to overall development. Here is a breakdown of that theory:
Microsystem: examples include but are not limited to family members, teachers, friends, and neighbors; how do these factors interact with the individual and how does the individual impact these factors?
Mesosystem: this level emphasizes relationships and interactions among members of the microsystem, such as the dynamic between parents and the child’s teacher or the spouse and the individual’s friends; are there dynamics that play a role in how the individual developed?
Exosystem: here the environment can directly influence the individual, but the individual does not have a reciprocal role; an example would be a parent’s place of employment or inadequate healthcare facilities; what factors within this system impacted the individual?
Macrosystem: this level reflects the cultural influences of the individual, such as their socioeconomic status (SES) or race; again, the individual may not impact this level, but this can influence them; how and why did aspects of the macrosystem impact the individual’s development?
Chronosystem: here the historical context and change over the individual’s lifespan can exact influence, including policy and social norms; for example, the legalization of same-sex marriage may influence an individual’s willingness to be open about their sexual orientation and seek out a family. Utilizing the individual’s age, what historical contexts may help explain the how and why of the individual’s development?
For this assignment, you are going to select two (2) of the above systems and use them to analyze the following case study; when I say analyze, I want you to use the theory as a basis for considering the “why” and “how” the individual got into the situation they are. The case study is not fully complete with all details and there are always additional factors that influence our choices and behaviors. You can speculate additional factors that are not listed, but be sure they are backed up with research and tie into ecological theory. While you can address the other family members that are listed within the vignette, the name in bold is the person of interest and whom you should center your analysis on.
Guidelines
Research will be crucial to help create your argument for why you think the case study person ended up the way that they did. You will need at least two (2) scholarly sources from peer-reviewed publications, such as academic journals, books, and textbooks. In-text citations and the reference page need to be presented in APA format. Please use the reference APA Style and APA Video Announcement for assistance.
Other requirements:
2-3 pages in length (cover page NOT required; reference page required);
APA formatting (abstract and running head are NOT required);
Font size 12. Double-spaced.
This paper will be submitted through the Canvas assignment link and run through Turnitin for plagiarism; please review the information on academic dishonesty within the syllabus.
Case Study #1
A teen girl
Christina (age 13, African-American) has lived with her grandmother, aunt, and younger siblings since she was 8. She currently has no contact with either her mother or father and last interaction was prior to placement with her grandmother. Christina and her siblings were removed from the parents due to reports of neglect, physical abuse, and parental drug use. Christina struggles at school and often receives referrals for aggressive and disobedient behavior toward teachers and students. She was arrested recently for physically assaulting another youth at the park near her house; this appears to be an escalating pattern. When questioned about her future, Christina reports her desire to move out of her hometown and become a fashion designer. Grandmother, Gladys (age 55, African-American) reports that Christina is very defiant at home and often sneaks out of the house. She is afraid that her granddaughter is using drugs and alcohol and is unaware of her sexual status. Gladys reports that while she attempts to provide supportive structure and rules, she also wants to be a grandma rather than a mother. Aside from raising Christina, Gladys is also raising Christina’s brothers, Stephen (age 9) and Jamaal (age 6); parenting again appears to be taking a toll on Gladys’ health.
Rubric