Before his entry into the science of Psychology, Urie Brofenbrenner was a marine biologist in Russia. He studied water snails exclusively and had published multiple pieces before making his switch. His studies with mollusks led to his theme question for his theory: Why do we behave differently when we compare our behavior in the presence of our family with our behavior at school, work, etc.? Brofenbrenner theorized five environmental systems that influence the way we act in different ways.
The Microsystem involves the direct environment we have in our lives. This could include family, friends, classmates, neighbors, co-workers, etc. It is the setting in which we have direct interaction with our peers and surroundings. We are contributing factors to the construction of the Mesosystem, and our actions effect it in many ways. One of my microsystems would be school. I affect what happens at the school everyday by interacting in class, talking to my friends, and meeting new people.
Mesosystem
The Mesosystem involves the relationships between microsystems in our lives. An example of this would be a child who is neglected at home. This child is likely to have issues developing the positive attitude toward his parents that most kids experience. He/she may also feel awkward in the presence of their peers, and appear to be a "loner". My mesosystem is fairly strong as I have a good family life, I have good friends at school, and I don't have any bad relationships with teachers. This leads to strong connections between my Microsystems, making a strong Mesosystem.
The Mesosystem involves the relationships between microsystems in our lives. An example of this would be a child who is neglected at home. This child is likely to have issues developing the positive attitude toward his parents that most kids experience. He/she may also feel awkward in the presence of their peers, and appear to be a "loner". My mesosystem is fairly strong as I have a good family life, I have good friends at school, and I don't have any bad relationships with teachers. This leads to strong connections between my Microsystems, making a strong Mesosystem.
Exosystem
The Exosystem is the link between the context where a person does not have an active role, and where he is actively participating. Suppose that a child has more affection and is more attached to his or her father than their mother, and the father has to leave on a business trip for an extended period of time. The child is left with their mother, causing their relationship to likely change now that the father isn't present. It could be a positive change, or a negative one. The child can not control whether the father leaves on the trip, making it an outside force. For me, sports and school could be considered my exosystem. Due to the fact that these activities take up most of my time, I don't get to spend much quality time with my family, and when they ask me to play a game or watch TV with them, I generally have to say no.
The Exosystem is the link between the context where a person does not have an active role, and where he is actively participating. Suppose that a child has more affection and is more attached to his or her father than their mother, and the father has to leave on a business trip for an extended period of time. The child is left with their mother, causing their relationship to likely change now that the father isn't present. It could be a positive change, or a negative one. The child can not control whether the father leaves on the trip, making it an outside force. For me, sports and school could be considered my exosystem. Due to the fact that these activities take up most of my time, I don't get to spend much quality time with my family, and when they ask me to play a game or watch TV with them, I generally have to say no.
Macrosystem
The Macrosystem is the actual culture of an individual. This includes race, socioeconomical status, gender, and all of the feelings that surround these subjects. For example, some people think that a poor person works harder than a rich person. They see the wealthy as someone who was given everything, while a less fortunate nine-to-five worker earns whatever he or she can get. I would say that my athletic and scholarly lifestyle is my macrosystem, because this is the culture that I have built myself around.
The Macrosystem is the actual culture of an individual. This includes race, socioeconomical status, gender, and all of the feelings that surround these subjects. For example, some people think that a poor person works harder than a rich person. They see the wealthy as someone who was given everything, while a less fortunate nine-to-five worker earns whatever he or she can get. I would say that my athletic and scholarly lifestyle is my macrosystem, because this is the culture that I have built myself around.
Chronosystem
The Chronosystem is the final of the five systems, and it consists of transitions and shifts in one's lifespan. An example would be how a couple's divorce would not only have an effect on their relationship, but also the behavior of their child. Statistically, children are negatively affected by their parents divorce for the first few years, but relationships improve from there. I have changed dramatically as a person over my 18+ years of existence. I believe that the nature of school, and the need to be organized has changed me from a right-brained thinker to a left-brained thinker.
The Chronosystem is the final of the five systems, and it consists of transitions and shifts in one's lifespan. An example would be how a couple's divorce would not only have an effect on their relationship, but also the behavior of their child. Statistically, children are negatively affected by their parents divorce for the first few years, but relationships improve from there. I have changed dramatically as a person over my 18+ years of existence. I believe that the nature of school, and the need to be organized has changed me from a right-brained thinker to a left-brained thinker.
Sources:
https://explorable.com/ecological-systems-theory
http://www.dropoutprevention.org/sites/default/files/paquetteryanwebquest_20091110.pdf
https://explorable.com/ecological-systems-theory
http://www.dropoutprevention.org/sites/default/files/paquetteryanwebquest_20091110.pdf