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Ecological Systems Theory

Ecological Systems Theory, created by Urie Bronfenbrenner, outlines how various environmental systems impact individual development. It identifies four primary systems: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem, each influencing development through their interactions. The theory also includes the Chronosystem, which accounts for the effects of time and change on development.

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52 views2 pages

Ecological Systems Theory

Ecological Systems Theory, created by Urie Bronfenbrenner, outlines how various environmental systems impact individual development. It identifies four primary systems: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem, each influencing development through their interactions. The theory also includes the Chronosystem, which accounts for the effects of time and change on development.

Uploaded by

Jeralyn Ocbina
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ecological Systems Theory, developed by psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner in the 1970s, is

a framework that describes how various environmental systems interact and influence an
individual’s development. This theory emphasizes the importance of understanding the
context in which development occurs, recognizing that a person’s environment is made up
of complex and interrelated systems.

Bronfenbrenner proposed four primary environmental systems, each nested within the
others, which include:

1. Microsystem: This is the innermost level and encompasses the immediate environment
in which a person interacts regularly. It includes relationships with family, friends,
classmates, teachers, and caregivers. The quality and nature of these interactions have a
direct impact on the individual's development.

2. Mesosystem: This level refers to the interactions and relationships between different
microsystems. For example, the connection between a child's home and school
environment or the involvement of a parent in a child's extracurricular activities. The
mesosystem highlights how the interplay between various microsystems influences
development.

3. Exosystem: This system includes larger social settings that do not directly involve the
individual but still affect their development. For instance, a parent's workplace may affect
a child's well-being, even though the child is not directly involved in that environment.
Changes in policies, economic conditions, or community resources can have indirect
effects on individual development.

4. Macrosystem: The outermost layer encompasses societal and cultural influences,


including broader systems like national policies, cultural values, economic conditions, and
social norms. These elements shape the micro, meso, and exosystems and ultimately
influence individual development.
Additionally, Bronfenbrenner later introduced the concept of the Chronosystem. This
aspect emphasizes the dimension of time, recognizing that environmental systems are not
static and that changes over time (such as life transitions, historical events, or societal
growth) can significantly impact an individual’s development.

Overall, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory draws attention to the numerous


factors that influence a person's growth and development, serving as a valuable framework
for understanding the multifaceted nature of human development and encouraging
consideration of the broader context in which individuals live and grow.

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