The Bronfenbrenner Primer

Introduction to Develecology

Lawrence G. Shelton (University of Vermont, USA)

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Hardback

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English

Routledge
12 September 2025

Child & developmental psychology; Family psychology; Educational psychology; Pre-school & kindergarten

This revised and updated second edition of The Bronfenbrenner Primer builds on one of the first-ever introductions to acclaimed child psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model of Development Framework, written specifically for undergraduate students. The author provides a carefully structured, guided introduction to Bronfenbrenner’s concepts, their interpretation, and their potential applications.

Bronfenbrenner’s scientific analysis of the role the environment plays in human development is essential for understanding how and why development happens, how our environments can promote healthy development, and how to address developmental issues when they arise. Shelton emphasizes building a systematic foundation for using the theory to understand real situations and apply it practically. The book describes the background and context that led Bronfenbrenner to develop his framework, illustrates a wide array of potential applications, and provides activities for students to practice applying the framework to their own experiences. This new edition includes expanded coverage on adolescents and adults, incorporating up-to-date examples relevant to life post-pandemic. It also addresses diverse perspectives and living environments and provides several applications and exercises to help explain Bronfenbrenner’s concepts.

The Bronfenbrenner Primer is a highly regarded and valuable resource for students beginning their studies in Developmental Psychology, Family Science, Sociology, Health Sciences, Social Work, Education, and for anyone interested in understanding the social world.

By: Lawrence G. Shelton (University of Vermont USA)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd edition
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
Weight: 500g
ISBN: 9781032716527
ISBN 10: 1032716525
Pages: 168
Publication Date: 12 September 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Prefaces Acknowledgements 1 Introduction to Urie Bronfenbrenner 2 From Ecology of Human Development to Develecology 3 The Framework 4 The Person and Development 5 Activities 6 Dyads and Relations 7 Important Characteristics of Relations 8 Roles 9 Settings 10 Ecological Transitions 11 Essentials of Systems Theory 12 Microsystem 13 Proximal Processes and Development 14 Links and Relations Between Settings 15 Mesosystem 16 Developmental Trajectory 17 Exosystem 18 Macrosystem 19 Chronosystem 20 Research Design 21 Bronfenbrenner’s Examples 22 Learning and Using Bronfenbrenner’s Framework 23 Eco-Analysis 24 More about Bronfenbrenner’s Work 25 More Applications of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model 26 Why Develecology? 27 Appendix 1: Exercises and Assignments 28 Appendix 2: Develecology 001: Bronfenbrenner Made Plain 29 Appendix 3: Selected Works of Urie Bronfenbrenner Pertinent to Develecology 30 Appendix 4: Directory of Definitions, Propositions and Hypotheses Index

Lawrence G. Shelton is a Developmental Psychologist who has taught Human Development and Family Science at the University of Vermont since 1971. Dr. Shelton has authored and edited several books on child and adolescent development, as well as several handbooks and manuals for parents and teachers. In his teaching and writing he has applied Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model in a variety of ways to many aspects of development.

Reviews for The Bronfenbrenner Primer: Introduction to Develecology

Reviews from the 1st Edition: ""Few scientists have had as profound an impact on the study of human development as Urie Bronfenbrenner. This textbook does a terrific job of explaining Bronfenbrenner’s most important ideas in a way that will help students really understand them and apply them to their own research. I recommend it highly."" – Laurence Steinberg, Temple University, USA. ""Lawrence Shelton has done a great service for generations of students to come by offering a comprehensive presentation of Urie Bronfenbrenner's approach to the ecology of human development. Shelton's book is clear, detailed, rich in its real world connections, and ‘keeps faith’ with Urie's vision of how to study and understand the complex processes by which the biological organism becomes the human person. As someone who knew Urie well I am pleased to see this important effort to keep his intellectual legacy alive and vibrant."" – James Garbarino, Loyola University Chicago, USA.