Psychology, Grades 9-12

Life Span Development Unit

Lesson: The Contextual Perspective
Objectives:
1. Student can define the major characteristics of the Contextual Perspective.
2. Student understands the contributions of both Bronfenbrenner and Vygotsky to this perspective.
3. Student can apply each of these theories to real world examples.
Overarching Essential Question (student should be able to address this after completing the
entire unit):
Why is it important to understand the major theoretical frameworks of life span development; how can this
understanding shape each students views on development?
Essential Question:
What two main theories define the Contextual Perspective?
Focus Question:
What defines Bronfenbrenners Theory? What defines Vygotskys Theory?
Learning Methodology:
1. Students will view the EDPuzzle presentation on Bronfenbrenners Bioecological Theory and the
presentation on Vygotskys Sociocultural Theory.
2. As a class, we will go over this theory, with teacher reinforcement to ensure complete
understanding.
Assessments:
1. After each unit, students will be asked to respond to a simple poll indicating whether or not they
feel they have a good grasp of the material. The poll is not graded, rather used as a gauge to see
how effective each unit is.
2. Individually, students will examine Bronfenbrenners theory. They will build a diagram of the
influences in their own lives within his 5 systems: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem,
macrosystem, and chronosystem. This should be done diagrammatically, but can be produced by
hand or digitally.