American psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner formulated the Ecological Systems Theory to explain how social environments affect children’s development. This theory emphasizes the importance of studying children in multiple environments, known as ecological systems, in the attempt to understand their development.
According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, children typically find themselves enmeshed in various ecosystems, from the most intimate home ecological system to the larger school system, and then to the most expansive system which includes society and culture. Each of these ecological systems inevitably interact with and influence each other in all aspects of the children’s lives.
Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model organizes contexts of development into five nested levels of external influence: Microsystem, Mesosystem, Ecosystem, Macrosystem, and Chronosystem. These levels are categorized from the most intimate level to the broadest.
The Microsystem
The Bronfenbrenner theory suggests that the microsystem is the smallest and most immediate environment in which children live. As such, the microsystem comprises the home, school or daycare, peer group and community environment of the children.
Interactions within the microsystem typically involve personal relationships with family members, classmates, teachers and caregivers. How these groups or individuals interact with the children will affect how they develop. More nurturing and supportive interactions and relationships will likely to foster a better environment for development.
Bronfenbrenner proposed that many of these interactions are bi-directional: how children react to people in their microsystem will also affect how these people treat the children in return.
For example, a little boy playing alone in a room. This little boy suddenly bursts out crying for no apparent reason. His mother, who is making lunch in the kitchen, hears the boy crying. She comes into the room, picks the little boy up, and carries him to the living room.
In the above example, the little boy initiated the interaction (crying), and his mother responded. In a way, the little boy influenced his mother’s behavior.
One of the most significant findings that Urie Bronfenbrenner unearthed in his study of ecological systems is that it is possible for siblings who find themselves in the same ecological system to experience very different environments.
Therefore, given two siblings experiencing the same microsystem, it is not impossible for the development of them to progress in different manners. Each child’s particular personality traits, such as temperament, which is influenced by unique genetic and biological factors, ultimately have a hand in how he/she is treated by others.
The Mesosystem
The mesosystem encompasses the interaction of the different microsystems which children find themselves in. It is, in essence, a system of microsystems and as such, involves linkages between home and school, between peer group and family, and between family and community.
According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, if a child’s parents are actively involved in the friendships of their child, for example they invite their child’s friends over to their house from time to time and spend time with them, then the child’s development is affected positively through harmony and like-mindedness.
However, if the child’s parents dislike their child’s peers and openly criticize them, the child will experience disequilibrium and conflicting emotions, which will likely lead to negative development.
The Exosystem
The exosystem in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model pertains to the linkages that may exist between two or more settings, one of which may not contain the developing children but affect them indirectly nonetheless.
Based on Bronfenbrenner’s findings, people and places that children may not directly interact with may still have an impact on their lives. Such places and people may include the parents’ workplaces, extended family members, and the neighborhood the children live in.
For example, a father who is continually passed up for promotion by an indifferent boss at the workplace may take it out on his children and mistreat them at home. This will have a negative impact on the child’s development.
The Macrosystem
The macrosystem in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model is the largest and most distant collection of people and places to the children that still have significant influences on them. This ecological system is composed of the children’s cultural patterns and values, specifically their dominant beliefs and ideas, as well as political and economic systems.
For example, children in war-torn areas will experience a different kind of development than children in a peaceful environment.
The Chronosystem
The chronosystem adds the useful dimension of time to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. It demonstrates the influence of both change and constancy in the children’s environments. The chronosystem may include a change in family structure, address, parents’ employment status, as well as immense society changes such as economic cycles and wars.
Application of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory
Through the various ecological systems, Bronfenbrenner’s theory demonstrates the diversity of interrelated influences on child development. Awareness of the contexts that children are in can sensitize us to variations in the way children may act in different settings.
For example, a child who frequently bullies smaller children at school may portray the role of a terrified victim at home. Due to these variations, adults who are concerned with the care of a particular child should pay close attention to his/her behavior in different settings, as well as to the quality and type of connections that exist between these settings.
How to cite this post: What is Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory?. (2019, May 3). The Psychology Notes Headquarters. https://www.psychologynoteshq.com/bronfenbrenner-ecological-theory/
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Categories:Developmental Psychology
41 Responses
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Very useful overview of Bronfenbrenner, thank you
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Hi DeAnn,
See Also44.1A: Introduction to EcologyBronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory (Pros & Cons)7 Exosystem Examples & An Easy Definition (Bronfenbrenner)EcosystemYou’re very welcome.
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How would I cite this information APA format?
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Hi Ashley,
Please refer to this website: http://www.bibme.org/citation-guide/apa/website
Hope this helps,
AReply
What is the date of this pulblication
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The post was originally published in November 2013.
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Very educative indeed…
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when was this article published and by who, need it for reference purposes
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This does not help. Who is the author of these words?
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The articles and diagrams on this website are written/created by our team of writers. If you use the content on this website, you MUST provide appropriate credit. Please see here on how to cite the content on this website.
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Hi, just trying to find out who wrote this article (Author)?
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The articles and diagrams on this website are written/created by our team of writers. If you use the content on this website, you MUST provide appropriate credit. Please see here on how to cite the content on this website.
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Can you explain the important of studying bronfenbrenner ecology tk an ecd teacher
Use the site as the author e.g. for in-text citations (The Psychology Notes Headquarters, 2011). Seeing as this information isn’t peer-reviewed I probably wouldn’t cite it as anyone could have written it.
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The articles and diagrams on this website are written/created by our team of writers. If you use the content on this website, you MUST provide appropriate credit. Please see here on how to cite the content on this website.
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Good advice!
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I have a couple of questions:
– who is the author of this article?
– I note you list copyright on the diagram demonstrating the model. Is this your original work? What Bronfenbrenner source did you use to create it?Reply
The articles and diagrams on this website are written/created by our team of writers. If you use the content on this website, you MUST provide appropriate credit. Please see here on how to cite the content on this website.
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Good morning,
I have to submit a task on Bronfenbrenner and appreciate your notes – it really helps. May I know who the author is for proper reference? Or will it be Psychology Notes HQ?
Thank you
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Hi Janie,
Who are the authors of these articles?
The articles and diagrams on this website are written/created by our team of writers. If you use the content on this website, you MUST provide appropriate credit. Please see below on how to cite the content on this website.How to cite the content on this website?
If you use the content on this website in your work, you MUST cite this website as your source. Here’s how to do so in APA format.Hope this helps.
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good afternoon
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whoah this blog is excellent i like studying your posts.
Keep up the good work! You realize, a lot of persons are
hunting round for this info, you can help them greatly.Reply
Loved this clear and informative blog post! This theory seems so great that it makes me wonder what the cons or problems with using this theory? I’m not trying to be negative, just well informed. Thanks!
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how do I cite this?
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Does this apply to adults as well?
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who is the author of this aritcle so i can properply cite this in my essay!?
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Here’s how to cite the content on this website: https://www.psychologynoteshq.com/contactu/
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This is not peer-reviewed, so probably just “Retrieved from” would be better. I hate that its not as it explains things in much simpler terms.
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You can google for apa format citations for ur referal hehe
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Can i get the cite of this information.
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Informative. This helped me a lot. Thanks.
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Thank you so much!
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Thank you this is very helpful
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Very well defined article with examples
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Are there four or five systems in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory of development? Some resources include chronosystem, but some exclude.
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Hello,
Can I please use this diagram for my honour’s thesis literature review?
Thank you,
LuellaReply
your article is presented with the help of a systematic approach.
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Useful content 👌 👍
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In 1979 is when he first found about this information ?
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Excellent article and diagram. May I use the diagram for my dissertation? Is this the correct process for requesting permission?
Thank you.Reply
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