1. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

2. Urie Bronfenbrenner Born in Russia Immigrated to the US at age 6
Enlisted in the US army immediately after completing his PhD
Co-founder of the Head Start program
Designed to serve at-risk nursery students to prepare them for school
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

3. Ecological Systems Theory
Development is the result of the relationships between people and their environments
Cannot evaluate a child’s development only in the immediate environment
Must also examine the interactions among the larger environments that a child develops in
Key Question: How does the world around the child help or hinder development?
Four layers of relationships that influence a child’s development
Microsystem: Relationships with direct contact to the child
Mesosystem: Connection between relationships of child’s microsystem
Exosystem: Structures in which child the child does not have direct contact
Macrosystem: Cultural context
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

4. Microsystem
Microsystem: Variables that the child is directly exposed to
Relationships: Family, school, religious institution, neighbors
Family: Most influential and durable influence on child
Environment: Geographic, Material structures
Child’s body
General health
Brain functioning – physiological and psychological
Emotions
Cognitive System
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

5. Microsystem
Microsystem: Variables that the child is directly exposed to
Relationships: Family, school, religious institution, neighbors
Family: Most influential and durable influence on child
Environment: Geographic, Material structures
Child’s body
General health
Brain functioning – physiological and psychological
Emotions
Cognitive System
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

6. Microsystem
Most of the child’s behavior is learned in the microsystem.
The microsystem consists of bi-directional influences
Parents actively shape the development of the child
Children actively shape their environment
Personal attributes influence responses from other people
Children actively select and avoid specific environments
Bi-directional relationships are the foundation for a child’s cognitive and emotional growth
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

7. Mesosystem Mesosystem: Interconnections between the microsystems
Examples
Interactions between the family and teachers
Relationship between the child’s peers and the family
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

8. Exosystem
Exosystem: Institutions of society that indirectly affect a child’s development
Examples
Parent’s workplace
Funding for education
Impacts a child’s development by influencing structures in the microsystem
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

9. Macrosystem Macrosystem: Cultural context
Provides the values, beliefs, customs, and laws of the culture in which a child grows up
Influences how parents, teachers, and others raise a child
May be conscious or unconscious
Influences the societal values, legislation, and financial resources provided by a society to help families function
Influences the interactions of all other layers
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

10. Ecological Systems Theory
Properties of the four layers of relationships
Each layer of the environment is complex
Each layer has an effect on a child’s development
Conflict within any layer ripples throughout other layers
As a child develops, interaction within environments becomes more complex
Complexity is the result of the maturation of a child’s physical and cognitive structures
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

11. Ecological Systems Theory
Five propositions that describe how home and school relationships work together for positive development
Child must have an ongoing, long-term mutual interaction with an adult characterized by unconditional love and support
The child-adult relationship provides the pattern of interpersonal relationships with all of the child’s other relationships. The confidence from this relationship allows a child to explore and grow from other activities.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

12. Ecological Systems Theory
Five propositions, continued.
Interactions with other adults enables the child to develop a more positive relationship in the primary child-adult relationship.
The primary child-adult relationship improves with repeated two-way interchanges and mutual compromise.
Relationships between child and adults require the society to support the importance of these roles.
Public policies must provide time and resources for child-adult relationships to be nurtured.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

13. Ecological Systems Theory
Instability and unpredictability in modern family life is the most destructive force in child’s development
Because of demands within the workplace, children do not have constant mutual interactions with important adults that are necessary for development
If relationships in the microsystem break down, the child will not have tools to explore other parts of the environment
Children without a strong primary relationship will find affirmation in inappropriate places, particularly in the adolescence years
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

14. Ecological Systems Theory
Technology has changed society
Society does not provide resources to protect children and adults from the potential negative outcomes of technology
The best interest of society is to lobby for political and economic policies that support the importance of a parent’s role in their child’s development
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

15. Comparing Developmental Theories
Active/Passive
Nature/Nurture
Stage/Continuous
Piaget
Active
Both
Stage
Information Processing
Sociocultural
Continuous
Neo-Piagetians
Social Learning
Nurture
Psychosocial
Passive
Attachment
Ecological Systems
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

16. Critique Strengths Weaknesses
Integrates multiple influences on child development
Weaknesses
Does not provide detailed mechanisms for development
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

17. Implications for Education
Primary relationship must be intended to last a lifetime
Teachers need to work to support the primary child-adult relationship
Schools should create an environment that welcomes and nurtures families
Education should foster societal attitudes that value all work done on behalf of children
More research is needed to examine interactions between different levels of relationships in a child’s development
Bronfenbrenner states that there is little conflict between families and the school.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos

18. Revision
Describe the four layers of relationships that influences a child’s development
According to ecological systems theory, what can educators do to facilitate a child’s development?
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos