3 The Ecological Model

Question 1

What are the characteristics of the ecological model?

Answer 1

Structural perspective: considers different levels
Complex multifactorial approach:

Question 2

Who proposed the ecological model? & when

Answer 2

Bronfenbrenner (1977)

Question 3

Name the systems from the most specific to broad

Answer 3

Individual
Microsystem
Mesosystem
Exosystem
Macrosystem

Question 4

General explanation of the ecological model

Answer 4

Simplified, systems theory states that one thing affects another. Our behavior is conditioned by everything from our genes to the social, cultural, and political environment, so it is not possible to fully understand our development and behavior without taking all these elements into account.

Question 5

What is the individual level?

Answer 5

Psychological and biological conditions of the individual.

SUCH AS: Personal experiences, relationships, thoughts, attitudes, feelings, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, health…

Question 6

What is the microsystem level?

Answer 6

AKA relational level.
It encompasses the proximal and small immediate environment with which the individual interacts.

SUCH AS: family, classes, work, sports team, music groups

Question 7

What is the microsystem level?

Answer 7

It refers to the interaction between the most proximal environments and the exosystem. (e.g. if parents and teachers communicate this could impact the child)

Question 8

What is the exosystem level?

Answer 8

AKA community level.
Encompasses those indirect influences, such as the social institutions and systems, in which the individual is not included

SUCH AS: workplace, neighbourhoods, social networks and group identity.

Question 9

What is the macrosystem?

Answer 9

AKA sociocultural level
Refers to the general views and attitudes that permeate the culture. It focuses on how cultural elements affect a person’s development

SUCH AS: socio-economic status, wealth, poverty and ethnicity.

Question 10

What does presence =/ occurrence mean?

Answer 10

The presence of a risk factor does not mean that the issue will definitely occur

Question 11

What is the cumulative effect of risk factors?

Answer 11

An individual who has more risk factors are more likely to experience the issue

Question 12

What is a universal prevention intervention programme?

Answer 12

Designed to reach entire groups or populations.

Question 13

What is a selective Preventive Intervention?

Answer 13

Target biological, psychological, or social risk factors that are more prominent among high- risk groups than among the wider population.

Question 14

Wat is a indicated preventive Intervention?

Answer 14

Target individuals who show signs of being at risk. Includes referral to support services or screenings

Question 15

Dynamic vs Static factors?

Answer 15

DYNAMIC: psychological or behavioral features that raise the risk and that are potentially changeable, such as (distorted) attitudes.

STATIC: Relatively fixed aspects of a person (i.e., age, sex, criminal record) that raise the risk but cannot be changed through intervention

Question 16

Acute vs Stable dynamic factors

Answer 16

ACUTE Rapidly changing features that signal the timing of reoffending, such as intoxication or emotional collapse.

STABLE Relatively enduring problems, such as alcoholism and personality disorders.