Ecological System Theory in psychology

In 1979, the ecological system theory was proposed by Urie Bronfenbrenner.  The development of children depends on complex systems. This complex system is called an ecological system. Earlier, Bronfenbrenner divided the environmental system into four different systems and later added another system (Chronosystem).

Types of Ecological System Theory

Ecological system theory is presented with the help of mainly five systems. All development of children is an interaction between five ecological systems. They are- Microsystems, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, and Chrono system. Ecological system theory has a different role.

Micro System

   The development of the child depends on the ecological system theory.  And, microsystem is the innermost environmental layer. Microsystems lead to immediate settings related to role relationships and activities. And the impact of this system is directly on children’s developmental process.

Microsystem is the first system in ecological system theory. This system plays an important role in human life. The microsystem is represented with the help of direct and immediately followed by children. If children disconnected from  microsystem then frustration and tension lead to very poor development of the children.

For infants and toddlers, this system may be limited to the family. Microsystem includes family, schools, religious organizations, neighborhoods, health services, and playgrounds.

Example of Micro System

Children are influenced by family members and others. Children’s habits, physical characteristics, temperaments, and abilities influence their behavior. Microsystem is truly dynamic contexts for children’s developmental process.

In the Microsystems, if children have immediate attachment to family then this condition related to satisfaction leads to the fast development of children.

In Microsystems, if children have immediately not attached to family members then this condition related to not satisfaction leads to poor development of children.

Meso System

     In ecological system theory, this is the second layer of the ecological system. Meso system is the interconnection between microsystem and exosystem.

In mesosystem, individuals do not independent but are interconnected to the Microsystems. This process is an indirect impact on children’s developmental process. Meso system refers to connections among microsystems such as homes, schools, peers, family members, play areas, and religious organizations.

Example:-

Children’s ability related to learning depends on the ability and capacity of teachers and the quality of instructions. The high ability and capacity of teachers with instructional processes lead to the high development of children.

Exo System

This is the third layer of ecological system theory. In the exosystem, children do not play an active role but the effect of the exosystem on children. In exosystem includes Industry, media, local politics, and social resources.

Example:-

In this example, the father’s work relates to the packaging of cigarettes and its negative impact on children’s development.

Exo system is located in the middle of the ecological system theory.

Other systems of this theory

In this theory, macro and chrono play the most important roles.

Macro System

The Macro system includes socioeconomic status, poverty, wealth ethnicity, and geographic location. They are parts of culture. The Macro system develops from time to time and from generation to generation. In the macro system, individuals share heritage, values, and customs.

In this system, microsystems, meso systems, and Exo systems are embedded. Microsystems are presented with the help of a broad, overarching ideology.

In the macro system, society and culture influence the development of children.

Example-1

This example shows that good economic conditions provided more opportunities and this process leads to the good development of individuals.

Example-2

In this example, a well-established society and culture lead to rapid child development.

Chrono System

This is the last stage of this theory. This system includes all the environmental changes. These environmental changes occur lifetime. These environmental changes lead to historical events and life transitions.

In this final stage, changes occur in the environment and in the individual over time. These changes affect the developmental task related to the individual. Ecological system theory is incomplete without macro system.

Example

Example of Chrono System

In this example, the divorce of the parents leads to a bad effect on the development of the child. Because the child is more influenced by the parent’s behavior.  And quarrel between parents lead to suicidal thoughts in the child. So, parents should build positive relationships.

Environmental changes have positive and negative effects on children. Sometimes children are not able to adapt to negative environmental conditions. And they start to lose their mental health.

Educational implications of  Urie Bronfenbrenner Ecological System Theory

• In education, teachers recognize the relationship between children’s ecological systems.
• The teacher implements teaching methods after knowing the relationships of children’s environment.
•  The learning process becomes very easy when the child understands the microsystems.
• This ecological system theory emphasizes on quality of learning.
• This theory has special significance for understanding the psychology of children.
• Due to the microsystem, a child may have learning problems. A teacher can solve this problem by knowing the microsystem.
• When the environmental conditions change, the child’s behavior also changes. So, one must understand the environmental conditions.

Criticism of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Theory

• In modern times, technology has changed. Bronfenbrenner divided the ecological system according to old technology.
• Macro systems theory plays the most important role compared to other systems.
• Urie Bronfenbrenner defined the complex structure of ecological system theory.
• Ecological system theory ignores individual differences. However, it is very important to understand individual differences. Only then the full development of children is possible.
• If the child does not get opportunities the ecological system cannot do anything either.
• Micro system receives more priority than the mesosystem.

Conclusion   This system has its own special significance in education. There are layers of ecological systems around us. And these layers have positive and negative effects on us. This is because the environment changes our thinking and behavior.

Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory