Ecological Theory

Microsystem:

This is the inner circle surrounding the child. Within this system are the immediate settings in which a child lives and/or spends time daily. Examples are the home, childcare center, and school.

Mesosystem:

This is the next layer out from the microsystem and includes extended family, faith-based organizations, the neighborhood, and health care.

Exosystem:

This system is farther from directly affecting the child than the previous two. Examples of exosystems include local government, parents’ work sites, and mass media.

Macrosystem:

This is the outer layer and refers to larger cultural values such as societal beliefs. For example, Japanese and American children live in two very different cultures. Thus, Japanese children develop in more communal ways while individualism is encouraged in American children.