Ecological Systems Theory

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Bronfenbrenner's primary contribution to the field of psychology, his ecological systems theory, in which he delineates four types of nested systems in order to analyze the relationship between a person and the environment. The paper examines how he calls these the microsystem (such as the family or classroom); the mesosytem (which is two microsystems in interaction); the exosystem (external environments which indirectly influence development, e.g., parental workplace); and the macrosystem (the larger socio-cultural context). The paper also discusses how Bronfenbrenner later added a fifth system, called the chronosystem (the evolution of the external systems over time) and how each system contains roles, norms and rules that can powerfully shape development. The paper also looks at how the writer applies each of the systems to his own life.

From the Paper:

"The forth system in Bronfenbrenner's theory is the macrosystem. At the macrosystem level, socioeconomic status (SES) has been measured several ways, including mother's educational level, father's educational level, parental occupation, and various combinations of these. Also the macrosystem deals with the larger cultural context such as Eastern vs. Western culture, national economy and political culture. The best example that I could think of that deals with the macrosystem is that of two different children from different families. One family that has a high socioeconomic status and one family with a low socioeconomic status. The child from the high SES is more likely to achieve higher grades, have higher self-esteem, be more popular and take part in extra curricular activities. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. (ISBN 0-674-22457-4)
• Corcoran, Jacqueline. "Ecological Factors Associated with Adolescent Pregnancy: A Review of the Literature." Adolescence Sep. 1999: 1-13.
• Vander Zanden, James W., Crandall Thomas l., & Crandall, Corinne Haines. (2007) Human development (8th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

More papers on Ecological Systems Theory:

• Essay # 63552 : "Ecological Systems Theory"
• Analytical Essay # 149344 : "Bronfenbrenner's Child Ecological Theory"
• Term Paper # 108426 : "Ecological Imperialism and Marx's Capitalism"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: