Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems: 5 Forces Impacting Our Lives

Summary

In the 1960s, Uri Bronfenbrenner presented his groundbreaking Ecological Systems Theory, which revolutionized the way people understood the role of environment in human development. He argued that a child's growth is influenced by five systems: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. These systems incorporate everything from family and school to broader societal and cultural influences, as well as changes over time. Bronfenbrenner's work paved the way for programs like Head Start, emphasizing the need for holistic support for children in difficult environments.

Highlights

• Bronfenbrenner argued against the notion that poverty is solely biological, advocating for environmental consideration 🌿.
• His Ecological Systems Theory identifies five nested systems affecting a child's development 🪐.
• Microsystem involves family and friends directly influencing the child 👨‍👩‍👧.
• Mesosystem and exosystem represent interactions between various environmental elements 🏘️.
• Macrosystem and chronosystem account for cultural and temporal influences 🌐.
• The theory contributed to the start of the Head Start program in 1965, improving lives of millions 💼.
• The evolved bioecological model acknowledges genetics' interplay with environment in personal development 🔄.

Key Takeaways

• Bronfenbrenner introduced the Ecological Systems Theory, identifying five forces that shape human experience 🌎.
• The five systems are the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem 🔍.
• The theory underlines the significant influence of environment over biology in child development 🧠.
• Bronfenbrenner’s work led to the creation of 'Head Start', aiding millions of children 📚.
• His theory evolved into the 'bioecological model', incorporating gene-environment interactions in development 🧬.

Overview

Uri Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory emerged as a revolutionary framework in the 1960s, critiquing the idea that poverty is linked solely to biology. His theory posited that a child's development is influenced by their environment, articulated through five different systems. This holistic perspective emphasized the dynamic interplay between the individual and their multiple, layered surroundings, ranging from immediate family to societal constraints.

The theory outlines five key systems: the microsystem (direct relationships such as family and friends), mesosystem (connections between these relationships, like parents interacting with teachers), exosystem (external environments that indirectly impact the child, such as parental workplaces), macrosystem (the broader cultural context, including geographical and socio-economic factors), and chronosystem (the dimension of time, witnessing changes over a child’s lifespan). These systems coalesce to form a comprehensive view of the environmental influences on development.

Bronfenbrenner's work was instrumental in shifting policy perspectives, as seen in the establishment of the Head Start program, which provides multifaceted support to disadvantaged children. Decades later, he expanded his model to incorporate genetic interplay with the environment, recognizing a more nuanced (bioecological) model of development. This progressive understanding underscores the environment's pivotal role in shaping potential, reinforcing that both nature and nurture collaboratively influence individual growth.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Background The chapter introduces Uri Bronfenbrenner, a psychologist who, in 1964, challenged the prevailing notion that poverty is rooted solely in biology. Instead, he emphasized the significance of environmental factors in shaping individuals. Bronfenbrenner presented his revolutionary Ecological System Theory, asserting that a child's development is influenced by various environmental systems. The chapter sets the stage to explore whether Bronfenbrenner succeeded in convincing the world to recognize and change the impact of these environments on the less fortunate.
• 00:30 - 01:30: Microsystem and Mesosystem The chapter on 'Microsystem and Mesosystem' explores Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which describes the intricate layers of environment influences on individual's development. It begins with the microsystem, consisting of direct relationships and interactions in the child's immediate surroundings, such as family and friends. Following this, the mesosystem encompasses the connections and relationships between different parts of the child's microsystem, such as interactions between parents and teachers, or among peers. Additionally, the chapter discusses links between broader social settings that indirectly impact the child, including relationships between parents' workplaces and the school system. Finally, it touches upon the influence of broader cultural, religious, and social norms, referred to as the macro system, which affects all other layers.
• 01:30 - 02:30: Exosystem and Macrosystem The chapter 'Exosystem and Macrosystem' discusses the concept of time and its influence over one's life. It emphasizes the significance of the Microsystem, where children are born into and directly influenced by it. The chapter highlights that children from less fortunate backgrounds are susceptible to more negative family structures and influences, which can arise from the challenges faced by parents in poverty. Furthermore, these children are likely to confront adverse situations at school or through peer interactions, making it difficult for them to thrive if they grow up in a detrimental Microsystem.
• 02:30 - 03:30: Chronosystem and Real-Life Implications The chapter discusses the concept of the 'Mesosystem,' which refers to the interconnections between elements surrounding a child, such as the relationship between parents and teachers. These interconnections can impact the child's development. For example, if a child's father has a poor relationship with a teacher, the child might face negative consequences.
• 03:30 - 04:30: Legacy and Bioecological Model This chapter delves into the concept of legacy and the bioecological model, highlighting how larger systemic factors influence family dynamics and individual development. It emphasizes the macrosystem's role, which entails the broad cultural influences stemming from geographic, ethnic, and socio-economic factors that shape other systemic interactions. For instance, changes such as a mother losing her job can affect family interactions and, subsequently, a child's development. Additionally, the chapter discusses the dynamic of intelligent individuals tending to relocate from impoverished areas to wealthier ones, often causing them to become outsiders within those communities. This movement showcases the interplay between an individual's biological predispositions and their broader socio-cultural environment.
• 04:30 - 05:00: Conclusion and Personal Reflection Exercise The chapter delves into the CHRONOSYSTEM concept, highlighting how changes in a child's environment and personal development over time can lead to varying challenges. It discusses the progression of a child's life as their parents' relationship changes, leading to divorce, which can have a profound impact. As time passes, the child adapts to their circumstances, but new challenges emerge, such as adjusting to a parent's new partner moving in. The chapter illustrates the dynamic nature of personal growth and environmental changes.

Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems: 5 Forces Impacting Our Lives Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 In 1964, a young psychologist appeared  before the US congress with a mission.   It was a time when most people thought  that the reason poor people stayed poor   was a matter of biology and had nothing to  do with the environment they grew up in.   The psychologist, Uri Bronfenbrenner, wanted  to change that and convince the world that   to help those less fortunate, we also need to  change their surroundings. But did he succeed? Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System Theory conceives that a child is influenced by five
• 00:30 - 01:00 ecological forces. First comes the microsystem of family and friends that affect the child directly.Second are the forces of the connections between the people around the child:parents with teachers and teachers with peers. Then there are links between social settings that do not directly involve the child,such as the father with his boss,the peers with their parents and the teacher with the principal. Next, is the overarching culture, religion and social norms that influences all others.And
• 01:00 - 01:30 lastly, there is time - which changes everything over the course of one’s life. Children are born into a Microsystem that influences the child's experiences directly. Children from unfortunate backgrounds are more likely to experience problematic family structures -even if it’s simply for the fact that parenting is more difficult if you are poor.They also encounter more negative situations at school or bad influences through friends. Consequently, a child that grows up in a negative microsystem,will find it hard to succeed.
• 01:30 - 02:00 The Mesosystem represents the interconnections between the elements that surround the child. For example the relationship between the father and the school teachers. If the father doesn’t get along with a teacher,the child might suffer. The EXOSYSTEM involves links between social settings that do not involve the child.For example, a child's experience at home can be influenced by their parent's experiences at work.
• 02:00 - 02:30 If the mother loses her job, there might be more arguments with the father,resulting in changes in their interaction with the child. The MACROSYSTEMdescribes the overarching culture that influences all other systems,such as a child’s geographic location and ethnicity. Intelligent people who happen to live in bad places are more likely to move to better ones.But that also means that they are more likely to be strangers in a richer society. So regardless of the child’s biological potential or upbringing, on a macro level
• 02:30 - 03:00 he or she may still be at a disadvantage. The CHRONOSYSTEM,refers to changes in the child,and the environment over time.As the child grows up the parents may stop loving each other and divorce, which can be traumatic for an eight year old boy.Five years later, he may have come to terms with how things turned out.But when the boy turns 16, his mom’s new boyfriend moves into their tiny apartment, and things get difficult again.[4]
• 03:00 - 03:30 Bronfenbrenner, who was influenced by Lev Vygotsky and Kurt Lewin, convinced the US congress that a child’s prospect is not genetically predestined,but is the result of the larger environment they happen to be placed in. Children who grow up in unfortunate social structures therefore need a form of support that not only reaches their families,but also elements of their community. Bronfenbrenner's theory helped form the Head Start program in 1965,a government program that has served more than 35 million poor children since.
• 03:30 - 04:00 Decades later, Bronfenbrenner and Stephen Ceciproposed an extension of this theory, called the "bioecological model,.This new model recognizes gene–environment interactions and acknowledges the role of heritability, but adds that genes themselve are under the influence of the environment.In other words, the process of heritability varies in a magnitude of potentials. How much a child can make of the potential  they inherit,depends on  the ecological environment.
• 04:00 - 04:30 Bronfenbrenner made a critical contribution to our realization that parent-child relationships do not exist in a social vacuum but are embedded in the larger structures, such as community, society, and culture. In order to develop well, he allegedly said, “every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her.” Now it’s your turn,make five circles, draw yourself in the center and add a timeline
• 04:30 - 05:00 at the bottom. Then add all the people, institutions and forces that affect your life. On the timeline below you can add some major events from the past and those you expect in the future. Can you tell how the 5 forces are shaping your life? To read more about the topic or download the  video without background  music, visit sproutsschools.com