Understanding Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory

Oct 15, 2024

Lecture Notes: Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory

Introduction

  • Presenter: Professor Tannenbaum
  • Theory Focus: Uri Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory
  • Purpose: To understand the complexity of human development and behavior
  • Example Question: Why do people engage in behaviors such as drug use?
    • Highlights the need for a complex answer as opposed to a simple one.

Overview of Bronfenbrenner's Theory

  • Concept: Consists of multiple layers influencing human behavior
  • Layers:
    1. Individual: Characteristics such as age, sex, special needs
    2. Microsystem: Immediate environments and relationships
      • Examples:
        • For children: School, peers, family
        • For adults: Job, community
    3. Mesosystem: Interconnections between microsystems
      • Example: Relationship between family and school
    4. Exosystem: Indirect environments affecting the individual
      • Example: Parent's workplace affecting child's school life
    5. Macrosystem: Societal and cultural context
      • Examples: American culture, religious or military culture
    6. Chronosystem: Time dimension in development
      • Elements: Age at which events occur, historical context

Detailed Explanation of Each Layer

  • Individual:
    • Personal attributes affecting behavior
  • Microsystem:
    • Key immediate environments affecting daily life
    • Teachers, family dynamics, peer relationships
  • Mesosystem:
    • Quality of relationships between immediate environments
    • Example: Parent-teacher interactions
  • Exosystem:
    • External social systems impacting a person's microsystems
    • Institutions like workplaces and community boards
  • Macrosystem:
    • Broader socio-cultural settings
    • Influence of cultural beliefs and values
  • Chronosystem:
    • Historical and life-span influences
    • Timing of life events, generational changes

Example Scenario

  • Subject: College student
  • Analysis by Layers:
    • Individual: Intelligence, personality
    • Microsystem: Availability of majors, financial capability
    • Mesosystem: Support from family and employer
    • Exosystem: State legislative policies on education
    • Macrosystem: Cultural perceptions of education
    • Chronosystem: Age at college entry, historical context

Conclusion

  • Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complexity of factors influencing human development.
  • Encourages consideration of multiple contextual layers when analyzing human behavior.
  • Open invitation for questions and discussion.