Module 2: Contextual Perspectives Flashcards
bioecological model
the perspective suggesting that multiple levels of the environment interact with biological potential to influence development
chronosystem
the environmental events and transitions that occur throughout a child’s life, including any socio-historical events
contextual perspective
a theory that considers the relationship between individuals and their physical, cognitive, and social worlds
ecological systems theory
Urie Bronfenbrenner’s theory stressing the importance of studying a child in the context of multiple environments, organized into five levels of external influence: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem
exosystem
the larger contexts of the community, including the values, history, and economy
macrosystem
cultural elements such as global economic conditions, war, technological trends, values, philosophies, and a society’s responses to the global community which impact a community
mesosystem
larger organizational structures such as school, the family, or religion
microsystem
immediate surrounds including those who have direct, significant contact with the person, such as parents or siblings
scaffolding
a process in which adults or capable peers model or demonstrate how to solve a problem, and then step back, offering support as needed
sociocultural theory
Vygotsky’s theory that emphasizes how cognitive development proceeds as a result of social interactions between members of a culture
zone of proximal development (ZPD)
the difference between what a learner can do without help, and what they can do with help