Basic Systems of the Biological Model of Human Development - Essay Example

?Introduction In this paper, the proponent summarizes the four basic systems of the biological model of human development and the influences that they have on a child’s development. Furthermore, the differences of each system are discussed. The proponent also analyzes the outside influences that impact a child’s development. Examples of the relationships and interactions of the four systems on child’s development are also provided. The four basic systems of the biological model of human development Ecological system There are existing interrelationships between humans and the environment. In this case, it is important to understand that the human development depends on its level of interaction with its environment. The learning might differ among humans because of their different niches, but their capacity to learn and remember does not (Collier & Cuevas, 2009). This capacity is the ability itself of the humans to interact with the environment. Man by nature needs to interact with its environment in the first place. Everything that human does start from a trial and error process in order to understand even more what is happening in the environment. In doing so, there is a need of great effort to have close interaction with the environment in order to learn and achieve certain level of human development. For instance, humans have the potential to grow and such growth can be enhanced by constant interaction with the society. Man by nature does not want to be confined in solitude. Furthermore, no man is an island as one of the most familiar adages puts it. Therefore, interaction with the environment is necessary for humans in order to grow. This will bring positive impact on the human development. It is in this reason that the behavior of a certain person is highly influenced by his culture, religious beliefs, and values. All of these are obtained from the environment that brings changes to the way of life of each individual. In order to ensure human development at a certain level, there is a need for exposure to the environment. The exposure could be in a form of living one’s own culture, accepting religious beliefs and believing what the family is inculcated to someone may have significant impact on future development. For instance, family, religious affiliations, political system, education system, beliefs and values and dimension of time are said to influence the development of a person. Such influences are brought by the capacity of the society to provide essential impact on the human development in general. Therefore, it is clear that the ecological system is about interrelationship between humans and the environment. Physical structure Part of the human development is evident on the physical growth. In biology, the physical growth is associated with an individual’s maturity. In fact, there is a strong connection between human fetal activity and postnatal behavior (Humphrey, 1970). There are complex biological processes inside of a person’s body that eventually result to growth and other relevant physical development associated to other level of development. This helps enhances the ability of an individual to achieve growth. For instance, male and female are designed to be different both in physical strength, structure and feature. However, the bottom line of this is that their bodies carry different hormones that are responsible to carry necessary changes for growth and development. There are certain hormones that influence behavior and even the entire development of a person. From the biological point of view, this physical system gives great influence to the entire human development. It is important to understand that the human development could not be overlooked because there is always a best reason to believe that the growth and development of an individual are due to constant and complex processes that takes place within the physical system of an individual. Various scientific evidences and facts could support this claim. For instance, it is found out that the growth hormones are said to be secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. Cognitive structure Humans are highest form of animals because of their ability to create language then communicate and understand and employ the value of reason. There are various psychological theories about the cognitive development of an individual. All of these are enhanced by scientific evidences and various researches. After all the basic finding still remain to prove the potential of humans for survival with their cognitive development. Many theorists are trying to emphasize this perspective in order to understand the behavior of humans. The cognitive perspective of understanding human development is associated with the study of human intellect and reason (Siegler, 1983). The intellect on the other hand is highly associated with experience. Therefore, as the normal child grows with sufficient amount of experience, his or her intellect should broaden just like of a normal adult. The cognitive structure can be measured because its actual output can be observed. It can be observed by studying a person’s behavior. Just like the physical structure, the cognitive structure can be understood through close observation. The human behavior must have specific level of maturity and in the same way; the child’s maturity should start from its conception until it grows as an adult. Environment In the first system, there is a corresponding emphasis on the interrelationship between humans and their environment. However, the environment by itself is a specific place for humans to develop and learn many things in a larger social context (Bronfenbrenner, 1977). For instance, a family is the place that a child could understand different concepts from ABC down to understanding different colors. In other words, the family is the child’s first environment where he or she could explore things, feel what comfort is all about and know many things about the world. The environment may be a place, group of persons, affiliations and other highly influential entities that could help support the human development. In the environment, humans could learn many things, even though there are some adverse or unnecessary impacts due to influence. For instance, smoking may be a highly contagious vice due to the strong influence of peer groups. A person may acquire it in order to be socially accepted. Fashion trends for instance are highly set by the environment. Humans have this tendency to be part of the group. In the same way, a man needs to be socially accepted by following the usual pattern of this world. In other words, the environment is a specific system of influence for the entire human developmental process. Child’s development It cannot be denied that the child’s development is associated with the four basic systems of the biological model of human development. They certainly have great influence on the child development in general. In the first place, humans need to grow and reach certain level of maturity, and acquire physical strength and considerable experience. However, the physical maturity should be enhanced with the ecological system, environment and cognitive structure. A mother should teach her child all the essential things in life starting from values, down to practical learning experience. This specific task alone requires the four systems in order for the child to develop the way others are formed as normal individuals in a society. Physical structure should start the entire developmental process because it is highly associated with pure biological context of human development. The moment egg cell and sperm cell unites, fertilization occurs and the physical development of a human being begins. There is a biological process that takes place as cells divides, develops and grows. Thus, human is under conception. In the conception stage however, the emotional attachment between a mother and the child takes place. A mother’s emotion may be absorbed by the child due to the physical or biological contact that takes place between them. In other words, the human development and the interaction of the basic system of biological human development have already started. This development continues further especially when the child is already born. There are needed developments in the physical structure of a child in order to adapt to his environment. Thus, there is a constant manifestation of growth. A child starts to eat foods down to solid substances and etc. However, the entire development does not stop here. A child needs to understand further its environment. A child needs to be taught with the right values, moral principles and religious orientation. In other words, there is a need to enhance the human development with the combined interaction of ecological system and the environment. For instance, a child needs to go to school, to learn, encounter new friends and be eventually part of the society. Along the process, the child’s world continues to grow and there can be new learning in life that helps ensure his entire human development. The differences of each system Even though the four systems of human development work together for one goal, it cannot be denied that they have certain differences and this can be figured out from their covered scope. It is without question that each system is different from the other because the other may simply start the process of development and the rest will enhance further the entire human development. It is in line with this that there is a need to understand them from their basic features especially in their association with human development. The physical structure is purely biological in nature because it can be explained in detail especially its covered scope by scientific investigation of the human’s biological nature and characteristics. In other words, the physical structure can measure specific biological maturity and growth of a person. On the other hand, the cognitive structure will follow the moment the human body starts to develop. A growing child progresses in the cognitive development while its physical structure develops. Thus, the cognitive structure could not be fully developed without the development of the physical structure. In other words, the cognitive structure together with its development is dependent on the level of physical growth and maturity of a person. The physical and cognitive structures of a person simply form the foundation of human development. As social being, human has to continue to grow by interacting with its environment. Thus, the environment system is the next to enhance the human development once the foundation has already been laid. However, even at the conception stage, the environment has great influence to a person. Thus, the environment system serves as the ultimate way that helps controls the human development process. In the same way, the ecological system not just enhances and controls the development process while other system continues to perform; it also tries to ensure the safety of the entire human development process. For instance, political system or other social issues in the preservation of life needs to be implemented. In such a way, there is a continuous effort for enhancing the quality of life and all other basic necessities of humans prior to their survival. Outside influences and their impact on child development Family is the basic unit of the society. Most of the influences that a child should acquire are coming from home. In this regard, it is important to understand that a child development is associated with the basic orientation in the family. Peer groups are other influential factors of a child development. The child playmates have significant influence through a complex communication process. However, there are outside influences that could create impact on child development. The four systems in the human biological development help ensure success of creating a better person who is to be accepted rightly and justly within the society. Whatever success they bring to the human development is considered an integral part of the effective influences on child development. However, there are some instances when a to an unusual path of human development. For instance, the physical system may at some point fail to perform the right process such as failure to provide the right hormone or genes that will eventually lead to mental and physical abnormalities of a child. In the same way, taboos considered in the society may create an impact on the child’s psychological or even cognitive development. For instance, children who are exposed to excessive abuse such as molestation have the tendency to struggle to live a normal life (Horley, 2000; Tsai, Summers & Edgar, 1979). Some may face excessive trauma that will destroy their potential for cognitive development or healthy interrelationship with the environment. These are just some noted outside influence that is beyond the good intention of the four basic systems of the biological human development model. References Bronfenbrenner, U. (1977). Toward an experimental ecology of human development.. American Psychologist. 32, 513-531. Collier, C. R., & Cuevas, K. (2009). Multiple Memory Systems Are Unnecessary to Account for Infant Memory Development: An Ecological Model. Developmental Psychology. 45, 160-174. Horley, J. (2000). Cognitions supportive of child molestation. Aggression and Violent Behavior. 5, 551-564. Humphrey, T. (1970). The Development of Human Fetal Activity and its Relation to Postnatal Behavior. Advances in Child Development and Behavior. 5, 1-57. Siegler, R. S. (1983). Five generalizations about cognitive development. American Psychologist. 38, 263-277. Tsai, M., Summers, S. F., & Edgar, M. (1979). Childhood molestation: Variables related to differential impacts on psychosexual functioning in adult women. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 88, 407-417. Read More