Although Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory is heavily cited, one of its major concepts—proximal processes—has received relatively little attention. We explore the definition and properties of proximal process as the “engines of development,” analyze how proximal processes are distinguished from Bronfenbrenner's discussions of “process,” and consider whether proximal processes are always positive. Bronfenbrenner viewed proximal processes as having positive effects on development (by increasing competency or buffering dysfunction); to expand this concept, we propose the notion of inverse proximal processes, which in higher levels produce dysfunction and reduce competency. In keeping with Bronfenbrenner's thinking, these inverse proximal processes would have stronger effects in disadvantaged environments. We thus offer a broader framework for understanding the impact of everyday activities and interactions occurring over time in human development. Discussions of the sort we propose here are essential to the advancement of theories of human development, and, we hope, their more appropriate use.

中文翻译：

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处理近端过程：Bronfenbrenner是什么意思，他不是什么意思，他应该有什么意思

尽管布隆芬布伦纳（Bronfenbrenner）的生物生态学理论被大量引用，但其主要概念之一（近端过程）却很少受到关注。我们探索近端过程作为“发展引擎”的定义和性质，分析近端过程与Bronfenbrenner关于“过程”的讨论之间的区别，并考虑近端过程是否始终是积极的。Bronfenbrenner认为近端过程对发育有积极影响（通过提高能力或缓冲功能障碍）；为了扩展这个概念，我们提出了近端逆过程的概念，该过程在较高水平会导致功能障碍并降低能力。与Bronfenbrenner的思想保持一致，这些逆向近端过程在不利的环境中会产生更强的影响。因此，我们提供了一个更广泛的框架，用于了解日常活动和交互作用对人类发展的影响。我们在这里提出的那种讨论对于人类发展理论的发展至关重要，我们希望对它们进行更适当的运用。