BRONFENBRENNER

URIE BRONFENBRENNER'S ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS THEORY
Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework, often referred to as the ecological systems theory,
is a theoretical framework that emphasizes the interconnectedness between individuals and
their environments. Bronfenbrenner proposed that human development is influenced by
multiple nested environmental systems, each impacting individuals in unique ways. These
systems include:
1. Microsystem: The microsystem refers to the immediate environments that directly

influence an individual's development. This includes family, peers, school, and community
organizations.
This is the immediate environment in which an individual lives. It encompasses the relationships
and interactions the individual has with their family, peers, school, and community
organizations. These environments have direct and immediate impacts on the individual's
development. For example:
 Family: The dynamics within a family, such as parenting style, sibling relationships,
and family traditions, directly influence a child's emotional and social development.
 Peers: The friendships and social interactions a child has with peers at school or in
their neighborhood shape their social skills, self-esteem, and identity.
 School: The classroom environment, teachers, and academic expectations impact a
child's cognitive development and educational outcomes.
 Community organizations: Involvement in extracurricular activities like sports teams,
youth groups, or community service organizations provides opportunities for skill-
building and socialization.
2. Mesosystem: The mesosystem encompasses the connections between different aspects of

the microsystem. For example, the relationship between a child's school experiences and their
family life.
This refers to the interconnections between the different components of the microsystem. It
involves how experiences in one setting influence experiences in another. For example:
 The relationship between family and school: A child's academic performance may
be influenced by the level of parental involvement in their education and
communication between parents and teachers.
 The connection between peer relationships and family dynamics: Family conflicts
or stressors at home can impact a child's social interactions and relationships with
peers at school.
3. Exosystem: The exosystem includes environments that indirectly influence an individual's

development, such as the parents' workplace or local government policies.
The exosystem includes environments that indirectly influence an individual's development.
These are settings in which the individual may not be directly involved but still have an impact
on their experiences. Examples include:
 Parental workplace: A parent's work schedule, job satisfaction, and workplace
policies can affect family dynamics and parental availability for their children.
 Local community services: Access to healthcare, social services, and community
resources can impact a family's well-being and support systems.
4. Macrosystem: The macrosystem represents the broader cultural context in which

individuals live. This includes societal norms, cultural values, and socioeconomic status.
This encompasses the broader cultural context in which individuals live. It includes societal
norms, cultural values, economic policies, and political ideologies. Examples include:
 Cultural norms: Attitudes toward education, gender roles, and family structure vary
across cultures and influence individual development.
 Socioeconomic status: Economic opportunities, access to resources, and social
inequality impact individuals' life chances and opportunities for advancement.
 Political climate: Government policies on education, healthcare, and social welfare
shape the opportunities and resources available to individuals and families.
5. Chronosystem: The chronosystem involves the dimension of time and how it influences
development. This includes historical events, life transitions, and individual experiences over
time.
The chronosystem involves the dimension of time and how it influences development. It
includes historical events, life transitions, and individual experiences over time. Examples
include:
 Historical events: Wars, economic recessions, or technological advancements can
have long-lasting impacts on individuals and communities.
 Life transitions: Moving to a new city, starting a new job, or experiencing a divorce
can lead to changes in social networks, roles, and responsibilities.
 Individual experiences over time: Personal experiences, such as trauma, loss, or
achievement, shape an individual's development trajectory and resilience.
In summary, Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework highlights the complexity of human

development, emphasizing the interplay between individuals and their environments across
multiple levels of influence. By understanding these various systems and their interactions,
researchers and practitioners can better support healthy development and well-being.
References:
Apfel, N. H., & Seitz, V. (2019). When school is out: The role of structured activities in the lives of
adolescents. Journal of Youth Studies, 22(10), 1336-1354.
Boyd, R. C., & Njoroge, W. F. M. (2018). Social ecological factors and protective youth outcomes
in context: A review of the literature. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 39(3), 279-301.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and

design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1994). Ecological models of human development. In T. Husen & T. N.

Postlethwaite (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Education (2nd ed., Vol. 3, pp. 1643–1647).
Oxford, England: Pergamon Press.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (2005). Making human beings human: Bioecological perspectives on human

development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

BRONFENBRENNER

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BRONFENBRENNER

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

BRONFENBRENNER

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

URIE BRONFENBRENNER'S ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS THEORY

1. Microsystem: The microsystem refers to the immediate environments that directly

2. Mesosystem: The mesosystem encompasses the connections between different aspects of

3. Exosystem: The exosystem includes environments that indirectly influence an individual's

4. Macrosystem: The macrosystem represents the broader cultural context in which

In summary, Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework highlights the complexity of human

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1994). Ecological models of human development. In T. Husen & T. N.

Bronfenbrenner, U. (2005). Making human beings human: Bioecological perspectives on human

You might also like