Question

Briefly explain each level of Urie Bronfenbrenner's theory and how the theory explains behavior development. Explain how this theory can be used for a research study on African American women and their refusal to attend mental health therapy.

Answer 1

Answer-

Urie Bronfenbrenner's theory tries to explain how a child's environment affects his/her growth and development. His theory involves 4 different aspects/levels of the environment that influence growth and development, they are as follows-

i) The microsystem- Microsystem refers to the immediate environment that a child dwells in. A child's microsystem will include their immediate relationships or organizations that they interact with daily. These relationships may include their immediate family, caregivers or school/daycare. How these immediate relationships interact with the child will greatly influence how the child grows. For example- If these relationships provide encouragement and positivity, the child will be able to grow better and vice versa.

ii) The mesosystem- The mesosystem describes how the different aspects of a child's microsystem work together for the well-being of the child. For example- If the child's parents/caregivers take an active part in his/her school, attend their parent-teacher meetings, help them with their homework, attend their annual school performances, etc, the child's overall growth will benefit. On the other hand, in a situation wherein the dad with step-mom and mom with step-dad disagree on how to raise the child, giving the child contradictory lessons, the child's overall development will be tethered in many ways.

iii) The exosystem- Exosystem refers to other places and people that the child may not interact with regularly. However, these places and people play a huge role in the child's development. These may include- The parents' workplace, relatives/extended family members, neighborhood, etc. For example- If the parents are working at a minimum-wage job, and are unable to pay the rent or buy groceries, this situation may have negative effects on the child. In contrast to that, if the parents get a raise or get promoted at their workplace, and can buy all of the child's necessities, the child's growth will benefit.

iv) The macrosystem- The macrosystem is the final level, which includes the largest and most remote set of things and people that exist in a child's environment, but has a great influence on the child. These things include- cultural values, freedoms permitted by the national government, the economy, wars, religion, etc. These things can either affect a child negatively or positively.

Urie Bronfenbrenner's theory can help researchers identify why African-American women have beliefs on mental health illnesses. The kind of parenting and cultural values that have been imbibed by these women growing up, plays a vital role in the formation of these beliefs. For example- Studies show that most African-American women believe that mental health illnesses are chronic. Instead of seeking therapy, they would much rather resort to prayers as their coping strategies. This belief must have certainly stemmed from the mental illness stigma that they were exposed to as kids.