Urie Bronfenbrenner

A BIOECOLOGICAL MODEL
Categories in the learner’s social context

There are 5 environmental systems that impact

learners
 Microsystems
 Mesosystems
 Exosystems
 Macrosystems
 Chronosystems
 The Microsystem

 Closest to the learner

 Where great time is spent
 Includes family, school, church, etc.
 Parenting styles have a significant influence
 Authoritarian

 Authoritative

 Permissive

 Rejecting

Sternberg, R. J. & Williams, W. M. (2002). Educational Psychology. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology (11th Ed). Columbus: Merrill.
 The Mesosystem

 A system of interrelationships – when school

meets family, church meets school, peers
meet siblings,etc.

 Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology (11th Ed). Columbus: Merrill.

 The Exosystem

 Larger systems that have an indirect

influence
 Examples: local government, parents’ places
of work, church denomination

Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology (11th Ed). Columbus: Merrill.

 The Macrosystem

 Cultural influences
 These include nationality, SES, gender, faith

Macrosystem

Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology (11th Ed). Columbus: Merrill.

 The Chronosystem

 The events of the world that are time related

and impact our lives

Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology (11th Ed). Columbus: Merrill.

 What to do?

Activity #1
Use the descriptors of Sarah’s life to check your
understanding of Bronfenbrenner’s theory by
identifying each and then attaching it to the correct
system on the front board.

Activity #2
Someone from your group should read aloud the
scenario found in your folder. Then discuss together
which system this represents.
 Developing a sense of self

One of the major tasks of mental and emotional health

is developing an appropriate sense of self.

This occurs through

SELF-CONCEPT
and
SELF-ESTEEM
 Self-concept

An individual’s knowledge
and beliefs about self

Student self concept involves both the

academic self and the non-academic

Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology (11th Ed,), Columbus: Merrill

 Formation of self-concept

Young learners base this on reading ability

and personal improvement
Middle school years – appearance, social
approval and achievement are key
Feedback from significant others and from
social settings assists us as we mature
Healthy social and emotional development
rely on sound self-concept
Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology (11th Ed,), Columbus: Merrill
 Self-esteem

The value placed on personal

characteristics, abilities, and
behaviors.
Self-esteem impacts motivation.

Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology (11th Ed,), Columbus: Merrill