Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Bronfenbrenner S Ecological Systems Theo
Bronfenbrenner S Ecological Systems Theo
Bronfenbrenner S Ecological Systems Theo
Background
This is a position paper on Ecological Systems Theory and the application of this
analyzing other theorists and their theories as compare and contrast with Ecological
Systems Theory.
structures, each inside the next like a set of Russian dolls” (Bronfenbrenner, 1979).
Within this structure are five layers arranged from the closest to the individual to the
The most direct level is the microsystem, or impacts upon the individual, such as
work (Bronfenbrenner, 1994). According to Bronfenbrenner, the next levels are the
mesosystem, or linkages between direct impacts, such as the individual’s family and
work, and the exosystem which are indirect impacts on the mesosystem. For example,
the individual themselves may have weathered the great recession with no direct
economic or life impact, but their development will have changed as a result of shifts in
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Applications for Management 3
the broader economic and societal spheres. The last two levels are the macrosystem and
religion, while the chronosystem is both an individual’s passage through time as well as
observer’s perspective, there is little the observer can do about an individual as framed by
the microsystem aside from their individual interactions. Similarly, the macrosystem and
chronosystem are too large for an observer to encompass. However, the macrosystem
Even in this example, Bronfenbrenner (1994) cautions that one needs to go “beyond the
simple labels of class and culture to identify more specific social and psychological
features at the macrosystem level…” (p. 40). The microsystem presents similar
challenges, since one cannot understand all the different elements close to the individual
The mesosystems and exosystems are easier to observe, since they result from the
interactions between other systems, such as between microsystems. The exosystem is the
a parent performing less effectively at work because of their child’s difficulty in school.
application of ecological systems theory to adults somewhat more difficult than might
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Applications for Management 4
that factors, such as birth weight, mother’s education, and family situation impact
sense. Lastly, understanding that the time one develops in, as well as the passage of time,
phenomena observed today. One study looked at dual-earner spouses and the impacts of
employment and home life (Kulik & Rayyan, 2006). Another paper assesses impacts of
(2006) show in their research, that there is a correlation between job satisfaction, home
satisfaction, and spousal support for dual-earner families. Pock (2005) used Ecological
Systems Theory to create charts showing linkages between microsystems within the
mesosystem and impacts of the mesosystem upon the mesosystem and vice versa.
are the various individuals or the microsystem. Other impacts, such as competitors or
participants in the supply chain are all exosystem impacts. The environment, such as the
economy and government, in which these various subsystems exist, forms the
macrosystem. An effective manager could understand these systems and use it to benefit
Other Theorists
and macrosystem impacts are examined by Elder (1998) in his research. In particular he
looks at temporal impacts for generations, such as major upheavals for countries
including wars and economic turmoil (Elder, 1998). The chronosystem and macrosystem
impacts then alter individual development. Bronfenbrenner (1999) considers the timing
of events, as they occur within other activities during an individuals life, as important to
overall development.
Maslow (2000) notes in his hierarchy of needs that individuals only can achieve
self-actualization once other needs are met. Helping to determine the needs, such as
(2000) notes, “we all have all sorts of implicit axioms, truisms which we have taken for
granted.” (p. 117). Bronfenbrenner would likely support this notion through the
understanding that different cultures, either through time or geographic area, support
Moral stages are impacted by the variances of culture, time, and other factors such
as the family’s own morality. The stages of morality are defined by these other
influences (Kohlberg & Hersh, 1977). Kohlberg and Hersh (1977) frame the stages of
moral development within the framework of accepted cultural and familial norms. This
Conclusion
the application of the theory to these applications. However, simply because there has
not been research directly related to management does not mean that the theory is either
provides a powerful tool to understand the influences upon a person’s life and how it
influences other parts of their development. Similarly, it helps understand how broad
aspects such as time or culture influence individual development. All of these factors can
Elder, Kohlberg, and Maslow all provide theories or analysis that can be
strengthened through the lens of Ecological Systems Theory, or aid in validating specific
aspects of the theory. Although none of these other theories directly validate or disprove
the application of Ecological Systems Theory, they were able to help me gain insight into
different strengths and weaknesses of those theories. Although not yet in broad
employment, I believe Ecological Systems Theory provides a valuable tool for scholars
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Applications for Management 7
References
University Press.
Psychological Association.
methods and concepts (1st ed., pp. 3-28). Washington DC: American
Psychological Association.
Elder, G. H. (1998). The life course as developmental theory. Child Development, 69(1),
1. doi:10.2307/1132065
Kohlberg, L., & Hersh, R. (1977). Moral development: A review of the theory. Theory
Kulik, L., & Rayyan, F. (2006). Relationships between dual-earner spouses, strategies for
coping with home–work demands and emotional well-being. Community, Work &