ABSTRACT
This section describes two sets of hypotheses Bronfenbrenner presented in his 1979 book, The Ecology of Human Development, to illustrate application of his framework. One set of hypotheses is based on classic research on development in orphanages and hospitals, especially work done by Rene Spitz. The second set of hypotheses concerns the roles daycare and preschool programs play in children’s development. The section concludes with the author’s observation that Bronfenbrenner expected his framework and his hypotheses would be tested, critiqued, expanded, and elaborated on in the typical ways of scientific progress, and he welcomed that work.
