Verified Test Bank Human Ecological Theory Ch6

Chapter 6

Human Ecological Theory

KEY TERMS

human ecosystem values

niche management

environment decision-making

ontogenetic development human development

adaptation quality of human life

needs quality of environment

TRUE-FALSE QUESTIONS

1. According to human ecological theory, resource management follows the same value system for all families.

2. Human ecological theory believes that humans are dependent upon their environment to meet their biological needs.

3. According to human ecological theory, human development is affected by more than one system at a time.

4. According to human ecological theory, individuals change their behaviors based on their spatial environments.

5. Human ecological theory is focused on the environment to the exclusion of human biology.

6. A human ecosystem is an organism that operates as a unit in interaction with its environment.

7. According to human ecological theory, humans can live alone without the help of others

8. In human ecological theory, time is seen as both a limitation and a resource.

9. According to human ecological theory, quality of life is determined by the adequacy of basic needs and the attainment of goals.

10. As a result of adaptation, human systems are changed, as are their environments.

11. Bronfenbrenner developed the Person-Process-Context-Time Model to allow greater focus on genetics.

12. According to human ecological theory, there is more than one way to assess quality of life.

13. Environments have the capacity to enhance possibilities for individuals and families as

well as impose limits and constraints on their behavior and development.

14. Human ecological theory has not changed since its original development by Urie

Bronfenbrenner.

15. Behaviors acceptable in one environment are almost always acceptable in another

environment.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The most central concept or the most basic notion of the human ecological theory is

a. negotiation.

b. conflict.

c. the life cycle.

d. adaptation.

e. the self.

2. Eco, the prefix of ecosystem, comes from the Greek word “oikos” meaning

a. place of residence or house.

b. physical biology.

c. genetic principles.

d. community.

e. none of the above.

3. According to ecological theory, language, laws, norms, and values are part of

a. human-built environment.

b. social-cultural environment.

c. natural physical-biological environment.

d. all of the above.

4. According to Smith and Hamon which of the following is NOT an assumption of the family ecological framework?

a. Humans are dependent on their environment for sustenance (air, water, food, etc.).

b. Human beings are social and thus are dependent on other human beings.

c. Humans will react to something according to the meaning that the thing has for them.

d. Humans organize their interactions within their spatial environments.

e. Human behavior can be understood on several levels, including the population and individual levels.

5. According to ecological theory, overarching institutions of the culture are found in the

a. microsystem.

b. macrosystem.

c. ecosystem.

d. mesosystem.

e. all of the above.

6. Measures of quality of human life which assess marital satisfaction or housing quality are evaluating at the

a. individual level

b. familial level

c. societal level

d. all of the above levels

7. Which system represents the link that exists between the microsystems?

a. Exosystem

b. Chronosystem

c. Mesosystem

d. Macrosystem

8. There are three types of environments in which humans interact according to this theory. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

a. human-built environment

b. socio-cultural environment

c. natural physical- biological environment

d. organismic-linguistic environment

9. Which system represents those settings or institutions NOT directly experienced by the person, but which affect his/her development in less direct ways?

a. Microsystem

b. Exosystem

c. Mesosystem

d. Macrosystem

1. What do values help us understand about a person or an environment?
2. What is profitable
3. What is beautiful
4. What is correct and decent behavior
5. All of the above
6. Only a and c
7. Fundamental decision making processes include all of the following EXCEPT:
8. Recognizing that a decision is needed
9. Identifying, comparing and evaluating alternatives
10. Choosing an acceptable alternative
11. Waiting to see if the problem will solve itself before acting
12. Which of the following was NOT one of the types of needs identified by Allardt which exists outside of the essential survival and adaptation needs?
13. The need for having
14. The need for relating
15. The need for desiring
16. The need for being
17. Which system includes the customs, attitudes, ideologies, values and laws of the culture in which the person lives?
18. Microsystem
19. Mesosystem
20. Exosystem
21. Macrosystem
22. Which system represents the immediate environment of the person?
23. Microsystem
24. Mesosystem
25. Exosystem
26. Macrosystem
27. Derek got in trouble at school today and his teacher emailed his mom and told her about it. Once Derek got home from school he got in trouble again, but this time with his mom. This illustrates which level of Bronfenbrenner's theory?
28. Microsystem
29. Mesosystem
30. Exosystem
31. Macrosystem
32. Chronosystem
33. Which of the following is a main belief of human ecological theory?
34. We don’t develop in a vacuum
35. We interact with multiple contexts daily
36. We develop as a result of the bi-directional interactions between us and the contexts that surround us
37. All of the above are main beliefs of this theory
38. What is a common criticism of human ecological theory?
39. It is too narrow in focus
40. The microsystem is seen as more important than the other systems
41. It is difficult to test using traditional research methods
42. It has not been altered since its inception
43. In Brofenbrenner’s final work, which was published the year he died, he changed from the use of the ecology to the use of which term?
44. Bioecology
45. Microecology
46. Socio-ecology
47. Macroecology
48. Which system is more crucial for individual development than it is for family development?
49. Microsystem
50. Mesosystem
51. Macrosystem

d. Chronosystem

MATCHING QUESTIONS

Use each answer only once.

1. _____ co-authored an important article entitled, a. Urie Bronfenbrenner

The Family as an Ecosystem, renewing ecological

theory in family science and in which the family

was b. Ellen Swallows Richards

viewed as a “life support system.”

c. Beatrice Paolucci

2. _____ contemporary ecological theorist who

developed a “nested” model for examining how d. Gregory Mendell

environment affects intrafamilial processes.

e. Charles Darwin

3. _____ considered father of human ecology;

studied genetics.

4. _____ first women faculty member of any science

school in the U.S.; proposed a science of environment

focused on home and family.

SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION/ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. Aside from developing this theory, Urie Bronfenbrenner was also the first prevention scientist, before we even had the term prevention science. Use the foundation of this theory to talk about what prevention science is and how it relates to family science. You can show a video from the Bronfenbrenner Translational Research Center such as:. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXqItT4DSrI&nohtml5=False.
2. Urie Bronfenbrenner is also considered the cofounder of Head Start. Use this organization as a means of talking about each of the systems in the theory and how they fit this organization.
3. Consider adolescent drug use by analyzing each of Brofenbrenner’s ecosystems. Determine which factors in each ecosystem might serve as risk or protective factors for adolescents. For instance, what conditions within the microsystem could contribute to or prevent drug use? How might the interface between microsystems (mesosystem) affect drug use? What factors at the exosystem and macrosystem levels could inhibit or enhance the likelihood of drug abuse?
4. Consider how Brofenbrenner’s early ecological theory might help practitioners evaluate the usefulness of their programs and interventions. How can the model help practitioners to ensure programs are developmentally, culturally, and contextually appropriate?

ACTIVITIES OR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

See: Obasi, S. N., & Hill, T. L. (2015). By design: Using comics to teach ecological systems theory. Family Science Review, 20, 87-96. http://www.familyscienceassociation.org/sites/default/files/8%20-%20Obasi.pdf

See: Zaloudek, J. A., & Barnett, A. E. (2015). Developing an intuitive, compassionate approach to teaching family theory and policy. Family Science Review, 20, 53-64. http://www.familyscienceassociation.org/sites/default/files/6-%20ZALOUDEK%20%26%20BARNETT%202.pdf

See: Langlais, M. R. (2016). Accommodating different learning styles using YouTube: An approach to helping students understand ecological systems theory. Family Science Review, 21, 1-8. http://www.familyscienceassociation.org/sites/default/files/15-70%20LANGLAIS%20final.2016.pdf

Using a Family Budget to Understand Human Ecological Theory

In this exercise students will create a budget for a family living at or below the poverty level and will discuss the barriers and possibilities that exist within each system of the ecological model. See handout 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3

Exploring Family Theories

Appendix 6

Human Ecological Theory

Handout 6.1

Using a Family Budget to Understand Human Ecological Theory

PURPOSE

This exercise will help students understand the different systems which exist in the human ecological model. The activity encourages students to think about families in poverty as well, and the barriers and assets they encounter within each system.

GOALS

Upon completion of this exercise:

1. Students will understand each system and what it entails.

2. Students will practice critical thinking skills.

3. Students will grasp the significance of human ecological theory in explaining social issues such as poverty.

OBJECTIVES

1. Students will construct a family budget for a family.

2. Students will discuss family barriers and assets within each system, as well as ways to minimize costs within the family budget.

MATERIALS

Budget handouts

Access to the internet is helpful in determining reasonable costs for each category

PREPARATION

1. Make copies of the handouts for each student prior to class.
2. It is helpful if you have completed the handout yourself to provide a framework for the conversation.
3. You can either have students work on the budget portion individually and then come together to work in groups once in class if class time is minimal, or the entire activity can be conducted in class.

INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS

1. Divide students in your class into the same number of groups as categories in the family budget.
2. Assign each group a different category of a family budget and instruct them to determine how much money would be needed for a family of 3 for their particular category.
3. In addition to finding the amount, students are asked to find a barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs for the budget category for each system of the ecological theory. For example, if a student was assigned the category of Clothing, they may have come up with a microsystem asset of a parent having sewing skills and thus being able to sew or repair their own clothing and saving money. Similarly, they may have said a barrier could have been in the exosystem (for the parent) if their child was required to purchase a particular uniform for school. A student with the category of Transportation may have listed an asset of a well-developed bus system (macro) but a barrier of lack of knowledge of car maintenance (micro).
4. Have students reassess their budgets based on the conversation of assets and barriers. See if they can decrease their budgets by taking some of those assets into consideration.
5. Have students come back together and provide the amount they came up with for their category to determine an overall family budget. Each group will provide their dollar amount and their rationale, and classmates will get to vote on if they accept the budget amount as reasonable or unreasonable. If it is determined to be unreasonable, work together as a group to come up with a new dollar amount.
6. Discuss the assets and barriers that exist within each system for the family budget as a whole to determine which level of the system provides the greatest asset, and which provides the greatest barrier.

Handout 6.2

Budget Activity Details

Scenario: Imagine you live in Vancouver, WA, in a family of 3 that consists of yourself and two children, ages 3 and 7. You are a single-parent who works full-time. You are new to Vancouver, and don't have any family or close friends here who can help you. . Also assume that there are no assistance programs available to you.

Housing

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Housing. This might include rent, a house payment, deposits, down payments: anything directly related to the roof over your head. It does not include any utilities.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e. What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?. You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• A description of what the amount of money you came up with pays for, and the implications
  • (i.e. Is it the average cost for an apartment in the area or the cost for an apartment in the worst area of town? etc.)
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the Ecological Theory.

Utilities

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Utilities. Utilities include electric, gas, water, sewer, and garbage. They do not include a phone, internet, or cable.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e. What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?). You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• You will need to describe for what the amount of money you determined pays
  • (e.g. Were these costs for a house? An apartment?)
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Food

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Food. This includes anything your family might eat: food and drinks made at home, snacks, food eaten when dining out, etc.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e., What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?). You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• You will need to describe for what the amount of money you determine pays , and the implications
  • (i.e., How is the quality of food in your budget? Does the family have to always cook at home? etc.)
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Phone

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover a Phone. This could include a home phone and/or cell phone.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e., What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?). You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• You will need to describe for what the amount of money you determined pays, and the implications
  • (For example, if you only have a home phone, what does that mean in today's society, and as a single parent?)
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Childcare

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Child Care. This might include tuition at a daycare center or family day care, nanny costs, afterschool programs, etc. Since you work full time, you will want to think about all day care for your 3–year-old, and before and/or after school care for your 7–year-old.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e. What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?). You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• You will need to describe for what the amount of money you determined pays
  • (i.e. Is it an accredited day care? A certified provider you found online? A random person off Craigslist?) and what the implications of that might be.
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Healthcare

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Healthcare for your family. This includes premiums to have insurance, copays, cost of medication and vitamins, etc. You could assume you get healthcare coverage through your job, or that you buy private healthcare.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e. What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?). You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• You will need to describe for what the amount of money you determined pays.
  • e.g. Is this for bare bones coverage? How are the deductibles?
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Clothing

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Clothing. This includes anything you might wear on your body - socks, shoes, underwear, pants, shirts, sweaters, dresses, coats, hats, etc. Assume that you are not given a uniform at your job. Keep in mind that children (especially 3-year-olds) grow pretty quickly.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e., What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?). You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• You will need to describe for what the amount of money you determined pays
  • (i.e., Are you buying new clothes? second hand clothes? do you have a variety of clothes, or are you limited to a few things? etc.)
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Transportation

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Transportation. This might include a car payment, insurance, gas, car maintenance and repairs, or bus passes.

To do this, you should do some research online or in the community to see what realistic costs are. You don't have a set limit - instead, you should try to determine what the minimum cost is to meet this need in Vancouver, WA, keeping in mind, however, exactly what you receive for that amount.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • i.e., What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost? You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• A description of for what the amount of money you determined pays, and the implications for that
  • (i.e., If you have bus passes, what does that look like to get 2 kids to day care/school and yourself to work, to grocery shop, etc.)
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Entertainment

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Entertainment. This includes anything your family might do for fun: outings (museums, indoor play areas, shows, movie theater, etc.); television, internet, and other media in-home (DVD rental, electronic games, etc.); toys and games for kids; classes (dance, soccer, gymnastics, etc.); equipment, etc.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e., What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?). You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• You will need to describe for what the amount of money you determined pays.
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Miscellaneous

Your task is to come up with a realistic monthly amount for how much money is needed to cover Miscellaneous items. This includes anything NOT in the following categories: Housing, Utilities, Phone, Food, Childcare, healthcare, clothing, transportation, or entertainment.

Common items in this category include: toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, makeup, toilet paper, etc.); cleaning supplies (laundry soap, dish soap, paper towels, etc.); furniture; birthday gifts for others; haircuts, etc. There could be several other items that are included here. As you think of things you might include, just cross check them with the categories above to make sure they don't fit there.

You must prepare the following information for discussion:

• The amount you propose
• A justification for your amount
  • (i.e., What evidence did you find that this amount is a good representation of what it would actually cost?). You will need to do some research to find some evidence to support your claim (in other words, don't just guess).
• You will need to describe for what the amount of money you determined pays.
• A barrier and an asset to the family for reducing their costs in this budget category for each system of the ecological theory.

Handout 6.3

Family Budget Activity

Imagine you live in Vancouver, WA, in a family of 3 that consists of you and two children, ages 3 and 7. How much money does it take to live? What do you get for your dollars?