Ecological Systems Model

Definition

The ecological systems model, developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner, is a theoretical framework that emphasizes the influence of various environmental systems on an individual's development. It suggests that human development is shaped by interactions with different levels of social environments.

Related terms

Microsystem: This term refers to the immediate environment in which an individual directly interacts with (e.g., family, school).

Mesosystem: This term describes the connections between different microsystems in an individual's life (e.g., how school experiences may impact family dynamics).

Exosystem: This term encompasses external settings that indirectly influence an individual's development (e.g., parents' work environment or neighborhood resources).