Final answer:
The Exosystem is part of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, surrounded by the Microsystem, Mesosystem, Macrosystem, and Chronosystem, all of which interact to influence an individual's development. The Exosystem consists of indirect influences on a person's development, like a parent's workplace or community events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of the Exosystem comes from Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which describes the different layers of environment that influence a child's development. The Exosystem refers to the surrounding environmental settings that an individual does not actively participate in, but that have a significant impact on their development. These could include a parent's workplace or community-based services.
Surrounding the Exosystem are other systems such as:
- Microsystem: The immediate environment that an individual actively engages with, such as family, school, and peers.
- Mesosystem: The interconnections between the Microsystems, like the relationship between a student's teachers and their parents.
- Macrosystem: The larger cultural context that encompasses laws, values, customs, and resources.
- Chronosystem: The dimension of time, which includes all the environmental changes and transitions over a person’s lifetime.
Each of these systems interact and influence an individual's development. To understand the wider context of the Exosystem, it's essential to explore its relationship with each of these varying levels. The Exosystem might not involve direct contact, but events that transpire in this layer, such as a parent's job loss or a change in school policy, can trickle down and significantly affect the immediate Microsystem and, by extension, the individual. Recognizing the interplay between these systems is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of human ecology and development.