The DOI matches its Crossref record; 2 of the 2 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Toward an experimental ecology of human development.
Abstract
A broader approach to research in hu- j man development is proposed that focuses on the pro- gressive accommodation, throughout the life span, between the growing human organism and the changing environments in which it actually lives and grows. The latter include not only the immediate settings containing the developing person but also the larger social contexts, both formal and informal, in which these settings are embedded. In terms of method, the approach emphasizes the use of rigorousj^d^igned exp_erjments, both naturalistic and contrived, beginning in the early stages of the research process. The chang- ing relation between person and environment is con- ceived in systems terms. These systems properties are set forth in a series of propositions, each illus- trated by concrete research examples.
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“One of the first socio-ecological systems theories was developed by Bronfenbrenner (1977Bronfenbrenner ( , 1979)).”
From Sexual and gender-based violence against South Sudanese refugees in Uganda: a mixed-methods study (2025) · cites this paper as Bronfenbrenner, 1977
In the citing paper
“Bronfenbrenner assumed that risk factors in more proximal social systems exert more influence on the child’s development and behavior than risk factors in more distal social systems.”
From Risk Factors for School Absenteeism and Dropout: A Meta-Analytic Review (2019) · cites this paper as Bronfenbrenner 1986
In the citing paper
“Any resource can provide a bridge to better outcomes if timed to key transitions and choice points”
From The Psychology of Change: Self-Affirmation and Social Psychological Intervention (2014) · cites this paper as Bronfenbrenner 1977
In the citing paper
“This system approach theory highlights the myriad of influences from the most immediate Meso-System (i.e., those in close physical proximity with lasting ties) to the more remote socio-cultural forces as well as change over time.”
From Transfer of Minors to Adult Court in California: Investigating the Legal/Demographic Factors that Make the Difference (2025) · cites this paper as Bronfenbrenner, 1977
In the citing paper
“According to Ecological Systems Theory (EST) (Bronfenbrenner, 1977) human development is a product of progressive accommodation, an interplay between the growing human organism and the fluctuating environments in which it actually lives and grows.”
From Transfer of Minors to Adult Court in California: Investigating the Legal/Demographic Factors that Make the Difference (2025) · cites this paper as Bronfenbrenner, 1977
In the citing paper
“Bronfenbrenner (43) developed EST in the late 1970s to offer a comprehensive developmental framework of multiple factors that provide layers of impact on individuals throughout their lives.”
From A proposed framework based on literature review of online contextual mental health services to enhance wellbeing and address psychopathology during covid-19 (2020) · cites this paper as [43]
In the citing paper
“This was informed by the ecological model (person X context) [9, 17].”
From Psychiatric symptoms, risk, and protective factors among university students in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic in China (2021) · cites this paper as [9]
In the citing paper
“With this in mind, a social-ecological model of sleep and health was recently proposed by our group (Grandner et al., 2010c), based on the social-ecological theory of Bronfenbrenner (1977).”
From Addressing sleep disturbances: an opportunity to prevent cardiometabolic disease? (2014) · cites this paper as Bronfenbrenner (1977)
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Metadata
- Authors
- Bronfenbrenner, U.
- Affiliations
- Cornell University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bronfenbrenner, Urie
- Venue
- American Psychologist
- Published
- 1977-07
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 513-531
- ISSN
- 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
- 1935-990X
- OpenAlex
- W2103066851
- Cited by
- 10,853
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 762 · 2025: 972 · 2024: 867 · 2023: 789 · 2022: 756 · 2021: 677 · 2020: 719 · 2019: 510 · 2018: 447 · 2017: 416 · 2016: 384 · 2015: 417 · 2014: 381 · 2013: 305 · 2012: 276
- FWCI
- 46.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Psychology of Development and Education
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Ego Development and Educational Practices
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
- Keywords
- human development, experimental ecology, person-environment interaction, lifespan development, systems approach, naturalistic experiment, social environment, developmental research methodology
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