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Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of human development
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Date
2025-03-31
Authors
Lynch, Helen
O'Toole, Leah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Routledge
Published Version
Abstract
Within developmental science, contemporary theories of child development in the 1980s and 1990s recognised the importance of context (how nurture influences ‘nature’), resulting in an integrated view of development. Within this perspective, knowledge of children’s occupations and human development requires the understanding and application of ecological theories and concepts relating to the contexts and environments in which occupations are enacted. This chapter explores arguably the most influential ecological transactional model for psychology, sociology, and possibly occupational therapy, Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model of human development. The chapter begins with a historical overview of the model, including some critiques of the theory since its inception. We then examine how it contributes to understanding human occupation as a transactional process. This is followed by exploring sample studies that have adopted a bioecological lens in occupational therapy research. A case study shows how the model can intensify contextual understandings and strengthen occupational therapy practice. We argue that applying Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model of human development can enable practitioners to implement more authentic and impactful solutions, responding to issues of occupational development in childhood for the 21st century.
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Keywords
Bioecological model of human development , Bronfenbrenner , Occupational development in childhood
Citation
Lynch, H. and O'Toole, L. (2025) 'Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of human development', in Ikiugu, M. N., Taff, S. D., Kantartzis, S. and Pollard, N. (eds.) Routledge Companion to Occupational Therapy - Theories, Concepts and Models. Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003526766-35
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Copyright
© 2025, the Authors. All rights reserved. This is an Accepted Manuscript of a book chapter published by Routledge in Ikiugu, M. N., Taff, S. D., Kantartzis, S. and Pollard, N. (eds.) Routledge Companion to Occupational Therapy - Theories, Concepts and Models on 31 March 2025, available online: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003526766-35