Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems Theory

Question 1

Bioecological Theory

Answer 1

Proposes that children are surrounded by 5 nested ecological systems that interact with each other and with the child’s biological characteristics over time

Question 2

5 Ecological Systems

Answer 2

1. Microsystem
2. Mesosystem
3. Exosystem
4. Macrosystem
5. Chronosystem

Question 3

Microsystem

Answer 3

Includes the immediate physical and social environment surrounding the child, such as the family, peers, and school

Question 4

Mesosystem

Answer 4

Refers to the interactions among microsystems, or connections among contexts, and how they affect each other

• Example: parents communicate with the child’s teachers; this interaction may influence the child’s development

Question 5

Exosystem

Answer 5

Consists of settings in which the individual is not the participant but nerveless influence him or her

Examples :
- Extended family
- Neighborhood
- Mass media
- Government agencies

Question 6

Macrosystem

Answer 6

Is the larger sociocultural context in which the microsystem, mesosystem, and exosystem are embedded
- It includes cultural systems (socioeconomic status, ethnicity etc), legal systems, political systems & geographic location

Example:
- Being born to a poor family can influence what opportunities that child does/doesn’t have access to

Question 7

Chronosystem

Answer 7

The set of environmental contexts around the child that is not constant but changes over time at all the levels
- Can consist of major life transitions, environmental events and historical events

Example :
- A child being diagnosed with leukemia at age 4.

Question 8

Implications & Criticisms

Answer 8

• The model is hard to implement because it is impractical for researchers to measure every level of the system
• It is set of guidelines rather than a traditional theory
• It remains an important contribution toward explaining development change across the lifespan

Question 9

Poverty is viewed within which system and why?

Answer 9

Poverty is part of the macrosystem because it effects all of the systems bellow it and the way those systems interact with each other

Question 10

Why is the Bioecological Systems Theory a good framework to understand poverty?

Answer 10

Poverty is a complex concept
- This framework is able to explain poverty in relation to the way different systems overlap and how each system is linked to poverty