Question

There are four systems to  Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory (Micro, meso, exo and macro systems).

How can we relate his theory to that of culture and the role it plays in development?

Answer 1

According to the American psychologist, Urie Bronfenbrenner’s, Ecological Systems theory the inherent qualities of a child and his environment interact to influence the development of a child. This theory stresses the importance of studying a child in the context of multiple ecological systems to understand his development. For example, a child typically finds himself simultaneously enmeshed in different ecosystems, starting from the most intimate home ecological system moving outward to the larger school system and the most expansive the society and culture. Each of these systems inevitably interacts with each other and influences the child’s life. We can relate his theory to culture and the role it plays in development as among the different ecosystems in which a person lives the culture of the society is an integral part which influences all the levels i.e. the home, the school, the community etc.