Urie Bronfenbrenner's Theory of Human Development: Its Evolution From Ecology to Bioecology

We describe the evolution, over three phases, of Bronfenbrenner's theory from an ecological to a bioecological theory. Phase 1 (1973–1979) culminated in the publication of The Ecology of Human Development (1979). Phase 2 (1980–1993) saw almost immediate modifications to the theory, with more attention paid to the role of the individual and greater concern with developmental processes. In Phase 3 (1993–2006), proximal processes were defined and placed at the heart of bioecological theory, and from 1998, the Process‐Person‐Context‐Time ( PPCT ) model was described as the theory's appropriate research design. Given the extent of these changes, and to avoid theoretical incoherence, scholars should be cautious…

• CD
  Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
• UF
  Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
• UO
  University of North Carolina at Greensboro