'The Ecological Systems Theory' and Human Development

'The Ecological Systems Theory' and Human Development

Introduction

Urie Bronfenbrenner, a renowned scholar, made a significant contribution to the field of developmental psychology by introducing the world to his theory on Ecological systems. Bronfenbrenner argued that five different environmental systems interact with individuals and shape their development. These environmental systems have predetermined roles, norms and other rules. The mentioned factors influence and guide the development process of an individual. Following are the systems followed by their explanations: microsystem, macrosystem, exosystem, mesosystem and chronosystem (Addison, 1992).

Macrosystem is essentially the prevalent culture in society. This is what any individual is confined to. This sort of environment is an external element of an individual's experience. As such the concerned individual does not have any direct involvement in its dynamics. Ethnicity, poverty, socioeconomic status, and developing and industrialized countries are some of the cultural contexts that an individual is a part of. On a more personal level, the educational institutions that I have been a part of; or my workplace are also examples of a cultural context. Members in any cultural group share certain characteristics. These include similar values and heritage, and a common identity. This environmental system evolves with time. This is because future generations may alter certain dimensions of the macrosystem. This manipulation would develop a unique and altered macrosystem from the preceding one.

Microsystem defines those groups and institutions that are of direct and immediate impact to an individual's development. These environments are found with our immediate family, religious institutions, peers, neighborhood and schools etc.Mesosystem are association between Microsystems and/or contexts within these immediate environmental settings. The environmental system can be better explained with examples, such as, an association that develops between an individual's schooling experience and those with family. Another example is simultaneous experiences from family and peers. Exosystem are presence of linkages between a person's immediate context and the social and cultural settings they are a part of. The later mentioned context is where an individual has a passive role. An example for the mentioned prevalent environment is my personal experiences at home which are influenced by my father's experiences at his job.Chronosystem is the last of the environmental systems in which transition in an individual's lifetime is charted through the environmental events and other circumstances that happen in one's life.

A child in their transition to adulthood is influenced by many factors including family, society, economy, political structure etc. Bronfenbrenner with his theory aimed to demonstrate the processes that affected any individual's personal development.

Discussion

Background

Human Ecology Theory iterates factors and environments that influence personal development of the human species. The theory is an important tool to deconstruct the numerous elements of one's life and try to decipher and understand our behavior in context of these environments. The theory essentially deconstructs one's behavior in cultural settings or those in our immediate confines. Our actions at home, work, with friends and society at large is a construct of our behavior in each of these contexts in isolation ...