Untitled Flashcards Set

2. The Mesosystem The mesosystem is where a person’s individual microsystems do not function independently but are interconnected and assert influence upon one another.The mesosystem involves interactions between different microsystems in the child’s life. These interactions can have significant impacts on the child’s development. Example: A child whose parents are actively involved in their school life, such as attending parent-teacher conferences and volunteering for school events, may perform better academically. 3. The Exosystem The ecosystem is a component of the ecological systems theory developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner in the 1970s. It incorporates other formal and informal social structures such as local governments, friends of the family, and mass media etc. While not directly interacting with the child, the ecosystem still influences the microsystems. Example: A parent’s workplace policies can significantly affect a child’s development. If a company offers flexible working hours or work-from-home options, parents might have more time to spend with their children, positively impacting the child’s emotional development and family relationships. Another example could be local government decisions. If a city council decides to close down a community centre or library due to budget cuts, this could limit a child’s access to educational resources and after-school activities, potentially affecting their academic and social development. 4. The Macrosystem The macrosystem focuses on how cultural elements affect a child’s development, consisting of cultural ideologies, attitudes, and social conditions that children are immersed in. Beliefs about gender roles, individualism, family structures, and social issues establish norms and values that permeate a child’s microsystems. The macrosystem differs from the previous ecosystems as it does not refer to the specific environments of one developing child but the already established society and culture in which the child is developing. Example: In a society that highly values individual achievement, children might be encouraged to be more competitive and self-reliant. 5. The Chronosystem The fifth and final level of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory is known as the chronosystem. The chronosystem relates to shifts and transitions over the child’s lifetime. These environmental changes can be predicted, like starting school, or unpredicted, like parental divorce or changing schools when parents relocate for work, which may cause stress. Aging itself interacts with shifting social expectations over the lifespan within the chronosystem. Example: The introduction of widespread internet access and social media represents a significant chronosystem change for many children. This technological shift has altered how children interact with peers, access information, and spend their leisure time, potentially affecting their social skills, cognitive development, and even sleep patterns. These eight core values work together to guide the practice of community psychology, promoting not just individual well-being but also the health and thriving of entire communities. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for practitioners, as they must consider both the individual and contextual factors that influence behavior and development.