1. Ecological Systems
Principles of Family & Human Services

2. Lesson Overview What is Bronfenbrenner’s Theory?
What factors influence an individual’s development, behaviors and personality?
Why is this important to the work of Human Services professionals?

3. Bronfenbrenner’s Theory of Ecological Systems
Brofenbrenner wanted to answer the question, “What influences an individual’s development, behavior, and personality over their lifespan?”
The Theory he created is called Ecological Systems Theory

4. Brofenbrenner’s theory suggest….
There are LAYERS of influence on an individuals development, behaviors, and personality over their lifespan.
It provides a way of looking at the interactions of humans with their environments as a system. In total he suggested 5 systems that will be explained in following slides
A person’s Biological, social, and physical aspects are considered in context of the individual’s environment
When you think of an individuals Environments think of…
1. Natural world Constructed realities Social/cultural background
Brofenbrenner’s Theory suggests that
Changes/conflict ripple through all systems
When you think about the term “environments” think about the wide variety of environments that individuals interact with. For example, you may first think of the natural world, or the physical surroundings of the individual. But there are other environments, like the reality we construct as humans (for example our nation and our state). And lastly what about the social and cultural background in which individuals exists? Many themes emerge specific to an individual’s social or cultural background. This includes income levels, religious or spiritual affiliations, and cultural identity.
Brofenbrenner’s theory suggests that changes or conflict, such as economic depression, war, and environmental disasters, will ripple through all the systems.

5. How does war impact individuals?
Think about this…
How does war impact individuals?

6. Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Model
This slide shows Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Model as it relates to Child Development. We will go into more detail about each of the systems, but for now notice how the systems radiate outward. Also, notice that the Mesosystem isn’t a distinct “layer,” but the interactions between two Microsystems.

7. The Individual
The individual is defined by their: sex, age, biological, and genetic make up
All other levels or systems directly or indirectly affect the individual at different times in their lifespan.

8. The 5 Layers impacting an individual’s development
Microsystem
Mesosystem
Exosystem
Macrosystem
Chronosystem

9. Microsystems
Characterized by interpersonal relationships with close family members, friends, teachers
Have an immediate and direct impact on the individual
Stressors, negative influences or unhealthy relationships can have lasting effects on the individual
Examples: Family, Classroom, Workplace, Religions Settings, Peer Group

10. Mesosystem Interrelations between 2 microsystems
What are some examples of interactions at this level?
For example, Family and Classroom, Classroom and Peer Group, Family and Religious Settings, and Religious Settings and Peer Group.
An example of a Family-Classroom inter-relation would be a Parent-Teacher Meeting about a child’s academic performance. What are some examples of inter-relations you can think of for Classroom and Peer Group and Family and Religious Settings?

11. Exosystem
Indirectly affects the individual
Examples: School system, medical institutions, mass media, community, government services
An example of the exosystem’s influence on an individual would be, a parent’s workplace is causing stress, the child isn’t an active participant in the workplace, but can could be affected when the parent comes home stressed about work
An example of the exosystem’s influence on an individual would be, a parent’s workplace is causing stress, the child isn’t an active participant in the workplace, but can could be affected when the parent comes home stressed about work

12. Macrosystem
The Macrosystem is the most outer part of the systems. The Macrosystem is essentially the cultural enivronment in which the individual lives and exists. Culture could include such things as political philosophy, economic patterns, social conditions, cultural values, national customs
Evolves slowly and changes over time
Example; a biracial child may identify with the dominant culture while their parent identifies with the minority culture and this creates conflict

13. Chronosystem
Chronological changes in the person or environment over time
How do you think the following changes impacted individuals?
The onset of Alzheimer's disease
De-segregation of schools in the South
Women working outside the home

14. The Theory in Practice
Person-in-Environment: The person-in-environment perspective in social work is a practice-guiding principle that highlights the importance of understanding an individual and individual behavior in light of the environmental contexts in which that person lives and acts
Evaluating situations and solutions: An understanding of this theory allows us to more accurately assess individuals, families, and communities to determine their needs and anticipate the results of interventions. For example, if we want to do a service project on childhood hunger, we can analyze the situation at the various system levels to design a project that’s likely going to be more effective.
It Simplifies the complexity of human systems: Unlike repairing an engine or fixing an air conditioning unit, improving the lives of humans is challenging work. Diagrams and models abound to help a technician understand engines and AC units. This theory tries it’s best to create such a model for human service workers better understand their client-customers.

15. Let’s Review (Answers on next slide)
Which system represents the inter-relations of 2 microsystems?
Mass media and community would fall into which system?
In which system is the individual directly involved with inter-personal relationships?
Which system includes the chronological changes of the individual and culture over time?
Which system includes the individual’s cultural environment?
6. What does Person-in-Environment mean?
Which system represents the inter-relations of 2 microsystems?
ANSWER: Mesosystem
Mass media and community would fall into which system?
ANSWER: Exosystem
In which system is the individual directly involved with inter-personal relationships?
ANSWER: Microsystems
Which system includes the chronological changes of the individual and culture over time?
ANSWER: Chronosystem
Which system includes the individual’s cultural environment?
ANSWER: Macrosystem
What does Person-in-Environment mean?
ANSWER: The person-in-environment perspective in social work is a practice-guiding principle that highlights the importance of understanding an individual and individual behavior in light of the environmental contexts in which that person lives and acts.

16. Answers!!!
Which system represents the inter-relations of 2 microsystems? Mesosystem
Mass media and community would fall into which system? Exosystem
In which system is the individual directly involved with inter-personal relationships? Microsystems
Which system includes the chronological changes of the individual and culture over time? Chronosystem
Which system includes the individual’s cultural environment? Macrosystem
What does Person-in-Environment mean?
In social work it is a practice-guiding principle that highlights the importance of understanding an individual and individual behavior in light of the environmental contexts in which that person lives and acts.