3. Pre-Conception - Biological Foundations, Genetics and Pre-Natal Influences Flashcards
(13 cards)
Genes, Environment & Development
Genes provide the blueprint for development but do not act alone—environmental factors shape how genetic potential is expressed.
Genetic predispositions interact with environmental factors: A child with a genetic inclination for music may never develop talent without exposure.
Genetic vulnerabilities (e.g., ADHD, anxiety) may not manifest without environmental triggers like stress or trauma.
Cumulative and lifelong impact of genes-environment interaction: Early childhood experiences (e.g., parental responsiveness, education) influence long-term development.
The brain is adaptable—positive interventions (therapy, education, support) can help overcome early adversity.
Epigenetics:
Environmental influences (e.g., stress, nutrition, toxins) can switch genes on or off, affecting development without changing DNA
An Ecological Systems Perspective
Behaviours are developed through mechanisms more complex than some traditional psychology principles suggest.
Understanding the complex interplay of contributing factors helps us to:
- Approach the situation with empathy.
- Consider the many layers of the problem.
- Recognise how complex this issue really is.
- Expand our interventions beyond just the behaviour.
An ecological perspective: individual
The person at the centre of
the assessment / intervention.
Education
Executive Functioning
Personality Traits
Individual Preferences
Developmental Stage
History of AOD Misuse/Abuse
Disability
Prejudicial Childhood
Perfectionism
Genetics/Family History
Beliefs/Values
Skills
Knowledge
History of mental health concerns
history of trauma
self-worth
identity
An ecological perspective: Microsystem
Immediate factors the person has contact with in their
environment. Relationships in the microsystem are bi-directional, meaning the person can be influenced
by other people in the microsystem and they can influence people in the microsystem. Further, the reactions of
the person to individuals in their microsystem can influence how they treat them in return.
Friends / Peers
Support Workers
Spiritual Care
Co-workers
Neighbourhood
Children
Siblings
Parents
Grandparents
Clubs/organisations
An ecological perspective: Mesosystem:
The interconnections between a person’s microsystems;
essentially a mesosystem is a system of microsystems. Interactions between microsystems can influence a
person’s development—e.g. if a person get along with the child’s teachers, the child’s development is likely to be
positively impacted
Friends / Peers
Support Workers
Spiritual Care
Co-workers
Neighbourhood
Children
Siblings
Parents
Grandparents
Clubs/organisations
An ecological perspective: Exosystem:
Formal and informal systems which do not themselves
contain the person and are external to the person’s experience, but nonetheless indirectly influence them.
Any governing agency is considered part of the exosystem because the person has no interaction with said
governing bodies, however decisions made directly influence the person’s
life
Partner’s Employment
Health Policy / Funding
Employment / Education Systems
Housing Legislation / Policy
DSM-5 Criteria for Mental Illnesses
Availability of Community Resources
Partner’s Friendship Group
social services
Mental Health Legislation / Policy
Mass Media
Employment Legislation / Policy
An ecological perspective: Macrosystem.
The impact of cultural elements on the person’s
development including socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and overarching cultural values and norms. This system
encompasses the customs, laws, and resources of the culture that influence a person’s environment. The culture a person is immersed in can influence beliefs and perceptions about events that transpire in life. The macrosystem does not focus on the specific
environments of one specific person,
but the already established culture
which the person is living in.
Socioeconomic Status
Social Attitudes Toward Different Issues
Culture of Schools/Workplaces
Pathologisation of Behaviour
Global/Domestic Economy
Ethnicity
Individualist/Collectivist Culture
Cultural Values/Norms
Elected Political Party
Two-Parent Working Families Political Policies
Civil Rights
Legal System
Public Health Policy
Mass Media
Education Systems
An ecological perspective: Chronosystem
Encompasses the dimension of time as it relates to a
person’s environments. It includes transitions and shifts in one’s lifespan, which can also influence development, such as the effects of divorce or the birth of a child. It also
considers the sociohistorical context— how time and history (e.g., growing up in a war zone vs. peacetime) affect the other systems.
Starting/Changing Jobs
Changes in Social Attitudes
Divorce
Economic RecessionWar
Birth of a Child
Bereavement
Changes in Generational Attitudes
Changes in Laws
Marriage
Urbanisation
Advances in tech
Positive Factors on prenatal development
- Good Maternal Nutrition – A balanced diet rich in folic acid, iron, calcium, and essential vitamins supports fetal brain development, organ formation, and a healthy birth weight.
- Prenatal Healthcare – Regular medical check-ups, ultrasounds, and screenings help monitor fetal growth and detect potential complications early.
- Healthy Lifestyle – Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management contribute to optimal fetal development and reduce pregnancy-related risks.
- Supportive Social Environment – Emotional and social support from family, partners, and healthcare providers can lower maternal stress and improve outcomes for both mother and baby
Negative Factors on prenatal development
- Poor Maternal Nutrition – Deficiencies in essential nutrients can lead to low birth weight, cognitive delays, and increased risk of chronic diseases later in life.
- Substance Exposure – Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs (e.g., cocaine, opioids) can cause birth defects, preterm birth, or neurodevelopmental disorders like fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
- High Maternal Stress – Chronic stress and anxiety increase cortisol levels, which may negatively impact fetal brain development and lead to emotional and behavioural difficulties in childhood.
- Infections and Illness – Maternal infections (e.g., rubella, toxoplasmosis, Zika virus) can cause congenital abnormalities, vision/hearing impairments, or neurological damage.
- Environmental Toxins – Exposure to pollutants (e.g., lead, pesticides, radiation) can interfere with fetal growth and increase the risk of developmental disorders.
- Maternal Age and Health Conditions – Teenage pregnancies and advanced maternal age (35+) increase risks of complications like preterm birth, chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome), and high blood pressure disorders (e.g., preeclampsia)
How have Bronfenbrenner’s insights influenced child development, education, social work, public health, organisational psychology, and sustainability, shaping policies and interventions that address both individual and systemic factors?
In social work, for example, the theory highlights the need to consider broader social policies, cultural norms, and community resources when developing interventions. In public health, it informs approaches to health promotion and disease prevention by recognising how socioeconomic and policy-level factors impact well-being. His framework remains a cornerstone for understanding how individuals both shape and are shaped by their environments across multiple disciplines.
