Compare and contrast - Essay Example

Comparing and contrasting Bio-ecological Theory and the Looking Glass Self Theory A number of theorists have in the past been involved in investigations aimed at describing personality or character. Some of the most important theorist included Bronfenbrenner and Cooley. This paper contrasts and compares Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological theory and the looking glass self theory of Charles Herbert Cooley. A researcher by the name Cooley came up with the assumption of the looking-glass self theory whereby he posited that an individual’s origin or conception of personality or character takes place when an individual manifests associations towards others (Andersen and Taylor 95).

According to this theory, the indication or manifestation of individual character materializes beginning with an individual’s believes and assumptions of how s/he is viewed by others, opinions by others about him/her, and also the emotions and sentiments arising from these believes. It is important to posit that this theory engages discernment as well as outcome. Discernment concerns how individuals are viewed by others whereas outcome depicts the consequences associated with opinions towards an individual portrayed by others (Cooley 14).

The postulation of looking glass self is considered an important notion since individuals react and take action based on how other people imagine they should react. Therefore, the development of character or personality is a collective and shared course of action that is founded on associations between people (Brinkerhoff 57). In addition, the development of character is founded on individual aptitude of individual expression. The bio-ecological theory on the other hand posits that there are a number of stages associated with external surroundings that affect the creation of personality.

According to Papalia, Feldman, and Martorell “Bronfenbrenner illustrated the micro-system as the setting within which the individual was behaving at a given moment in his or her life and the meso-system as the set of Microsystems constituting the individual’s developmental niche within a given period of development” (35). Bronfenbrenner introduced the hypothesis known as the bio-ecological theory that presents perfect support geared towards deliberating on the associations among certain traits in children as well as ecological attributes.

According to this theory, a kid is portrayed as the most essential and fundamental stature. Micro-systems are the unswerving relationships among close relative, teaching instructors, and other individuals. The meso-systems connect the micro-systems and relevant institutions particularly learning institutions. This theory also comprises of an exosystem that links the macro-system with the tangential or marginal structure and institutions with circumlocutory results in individuals. This theory further asserts that individuals are ought to engage in certain functions and responsibilities.

Consequently, they are required to complete and accomplish these responsibilities. According to the bio-ecological theory, each and every stage of associations associated with human development is related interactively (Lerner 238). There are a number of applications for Rronfenbrenner’s theory. For instance, this postulation presents astute and perceptive avenue for comprehension and sustenance of individuals suffering from traumas and other pressures in life. Through this postulation, researchers and other stakeholders are able to boost their perceptions regarding relations (Wilmshurst n.p). In conclusion, the looking glass self theory posits that the source or commencement of individuality or temperament takes place when a person makes apparent relations towards other individuals.

It posits further that the suggestion or expression of individual disposition materializes commencing with individual believes and assumptions of how they are viewed in the eyes of others, opinions by others about them, and also the emotions and sentiments arising from these believes. According to the bio-ecological presumption, there are five stages allied to the external surroundings that influence the creation of personality. Works citedAndersen, Margaret and Taylor Howard. Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society.

Belmont: Thomson Higher Learning, 2006. Print. Brinkerhoff, David. Essentials of Sociology, 9th Ed. New York: Cengage Brain, 2013. Print. Cooley, Charles Horton. Social Organization. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 2005. Print. Lerner, Richard. Concepts and Theories of Human Development. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2002. Print. Papalia, Diane, Martorell Gabriela and Feldman Ruth. A Child’s World: Infancy Through Adolescence. New York: McGraw Hill Publishers, 2013. Print. Wilmshurst, Linda.

Clinical and Educational Child Psychology: An Ecological-Transactional. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print.