Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory PDF

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A summary of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological theory, with examples at each level...

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Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory ●

Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory ○ Framework to recognise contextual influences on child development ■ Concentric circles expanding from the system within the child’s body all the way out to include social systems and time ■ This framework enables researchers to examine several contexts in which to view their data ○ There are 6 nested systems (+ time): ■ Biosystem ● Genetic information ● Physiology ● Biological system are plastic, they can change over time ■ Individual ● A unique individual ○ E.g. temperament, aptitude, activity levels, beliefs, attitudes, etc. ● Humans are active in shaping and selectively accessing other systems ■ Microsystem ● The individual’s immediate context ● Environment that person directly accesses ○ People and animals (agents) ■ E.g. immediate family, pets ○ Objects ■ Neighbourhood play area, household furniture ○ Events ■ Accidents, divorce, etc. ■ Mesosystem ● Relationship between agents/objects/events within the microsystem ● If there is consistency it usually exerts a positive influence on development ○ E.g. school supporting the cultural upbringing of the child by the parents ● If there is a conflict it is usually a negative influence ○ E.g. bringing culture from home into school can result in bullying ○ E.g. level of consistency between parents (good cop/bad cop) ○ E.g. conflict between parents and child’s educators ■ Exosystem ● Factors and activities that influence the person indirectly ○ E.g. the existence of a job that the father goes to influences how much time the child spends with the father, even though the job does not directly interact with the child

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Macrosystem ● Values, customs, practices of culture, laws and infrastructure of society ● Often ingrained and reinforced even before birth ○ E.g. gendered toys, specialised baby equipment, collective vs. individualistic cultures Chronosystem (time) ● Marks the changes that happen over time ○ Individual change ■ E.g. personal growth ○ Societal changes ■ E.g. historical shifts...