Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory By: Evan and Julia EDUC 250

Ecological Systems Theory This theory was founded by Urie Brofenbrenner. The theory was published in 1979. Brofenbrenner believed every person is influenced by the different environmental systems. The theory helps us understand why we act the way we do in different circumstances or environments.

The theory has 5 environmental systems. Microsystem Mesosystem Exosystem Macrosystem Chronosystem

Microsystem In the Microsystem the child is influenced by people that he/she has direct contact with like family, peers, teachers, etc.

Mesosytem In Mesosytem the child is influenced by the experiences he/she has with the people in the Microsystem. Example: A child may be withdrawn from his/her peers at school because they are not loved at home.

Exosystem In the Exosystem the child is influenced by actions or people that don’t have an active role in his/her life.

Macrosystem In the Macrosystem the child is influenced by his/her own cultural values and traditions, socioeconomic status, and the laws.

Chronosystem In the Chronosystem the child is influenced by growing older or shifts in one’s lifespan like divorce of parents or death of a close family member.

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Children apply knowledge from Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory by recognizing their environment is a critical part of their development. Children may realize the importance of taking advantage of civic and community activities to learn and gain experience.

Strengths and weaknesses This theory shows how multiple influences affect the child’s development even when the child isn’t directly involved in the situation. Weakness: This theory does great at pinpointing the development stages of life and the different environments in which we are associated, but it does not provide reasons for behavior.

Class Activity The students in the classroom can each write a memory down from their childhood. The memory should be classified into one of the layers from Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory.

Problem in the class A child is picked on at home by older sibling and goes to school and is withdrawn from others or goes to school and picks on smaller children. (Mesosystem) Due to the child’s religious beliefs the child cannot participate in holiday activities like classroom Christmas parties, Halloween parties, etc. (Macrosystem)