Developmental Psychology

1.6 Using the Ecological Approach This model is a representation of how the ecological approach works. Urie Bronfenbrenner was the individual who proposed this approach. There are concrete circles that surround an individual person which is located in the middle (Dark purple circle). Each of the other circles are influences that an individual may be subjected to. The closer the circle, the higher the influence has on the individual. Now, let’s look at the layers that are in the model above. The first layer is called the microsystem . This layer contains influences such as families, schools and/or peers. Individualized systems are connected by the mesos stem . The connecting layers do not contain influences. The next to the last layer is the ecosystem . These contain distant influences that do not have as much of an effect as the closer layers. The last layer is called the macrosystem . This outer layer contains the overall ideas of a culture where people live and thrive. It is important to keep in mind that each of these layers will overlap between each of the different systems. 1.7 Theories of Developmental Psychology In the introduction to this chapter, it was mentioned that you would be learning about the schools of thought. Here is where we begin. There are 4 theories that talk about the school of thought. These are all attached to developmental psychology and regular psychology. The four schools of thought are: • Psychoanalytic Theory : Sigmund Freud, a medical doctor and founder of psychoanalysis, is one of the most predominate individuals of this theory. Freud created three levels that divided the mind. o The Conscious Mind : Freud said that this was the small part of the human mind that includes active experiences that can be easily recalled.

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