Lecture Notes: Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory

Introduction

• Presented by Professor Tannenbaum
• Overview of Uri Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory
• Used as a model for understanding complex human development
• Aims to understand various influences on human behavior, such as drug use

Key Concepts

• Ecological Theory: A multi-layered model to analyze influences on human behavior

Layers of Ecological Theory

1. Individual

   • Central element
   • Factors include age, sex, special needs

2. Microsystem

   • Immediate environments
   • For children: school, peers, family
   • For adults: job, class, living place
   • Examples: supportive teachers, parental stress, bullying

3. Mesosystem

   • Relationships between microsystems
   • Example: relationship between family and school
   • Includes interaction of living environment with family dynamics

4. Exosystem

   • Link between direct and indirect settings
   • Examples: parent's job affecting child's school involvement, college board of trustees

5. Macrosystem

   • Larger social and cultural context
   • Can include national culture, religious or military culture, urban vs. rural context
   • Influences from political climate

6. Chronosystem

   • Role of time in development
   • Timing of life events (e.g., becoming a parent at different ages)
   • Historical context (e.g., views on money over generations)

Application Example

• Considerations for a college student:
  • Individual: intelligence, personality
  • Microsystem: available majors, financial capability
  • Mesosystem: family and employer support
  • Exosystem: impact of state educational budget
  • Macrosystem: cultural views on education
  • Chronosystem: age and historical period of attending college

Conclusion

• Bronfenbrenner's theory provides a structured way to understand human development
• Encouragement to ask questions for further understanding
• General well-wishes