AP Psychology Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory

Microsystem

(Immediate Environment): The most direct environment, including family, peers, school, and neighborhood, where face-to-face interactions occur.

Mesosystem

(Connections): The links between microsystems, such as the relationship between a child's parents and their teachers, or home and school.

Exosystem

(Indirect Environment): Settings that affect the individual indirectly, even if they aren't active participants. Examples include a parent's workplace, local government, or school board decisions.

Macrosystem

(Cultural Context): The overarching cultural values, economic conditions, political ideologies, and social norms shaping the lower systems.

Chronosystem

(Time): The dimension of time, including historical events (e.g., pandemic, war) and major life transitions (e.g., divorce, moving)