Developmental Ecology TheoryAs seen in “Boy Meets World”

By: Vanessa Ball, Marlynn Lopez, Andrew Nash

Learning Outcomes

•Students will be able to…▫understand Brofenbrenner’s

Developmental Ecology Theory▫incorporate process, person, context, and

time (PPCT) into case study analysis▫apply multiple theories to facilitate holistic

student development

Overview

•Overview of the Developmental Ecology Theory

•Observe “Boy Meets World” episode•Apply theory through group activity

Developmental Ecology Theory

•Interactions between individuals and their developmental context

•Focuses attention on the individuals rather than the cultures in which they are embedded

•"Development is a function of the interaction of the person and the environment"

Four components of Brofenbrenner’s Theory:

Process Person

Context Time

Process & Person

•Process – ▫interaction between organism and

environment that happens over time, producing human development

•Person - attributes of a person ▫developmentally instigative characteristics▫influence how an individual will experience

an environment and how the environment will respond to that individual

Context

•Microsystem•Mesosystem•Exosystem•Macrosystem

Time

•Microtime•Mesotime•Macrotime

CORYcollege student

ERICbig brother

MORGANlittle sister

ALANfather

AMYmother

SHAUNbest friend

An Episode of Boy Meets World:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5kn69XqpgI

After the episode…

•What makes this a good or bad example of Brofenbrenner’s theory?

•When did you observe this theory in play?•What systems seemed to be prevalent?•What other theories may have applied to

the characters in this episode?

Instructions

•Break into five equally sized groups•Review your case study•Complete handout•Choose another theory that can be

applied in addition to Developmental Ecology Theory

•Deliver a 2-3 minute presentation on how you will apply these theories to resolve your case study