Overview

Picture for a moment a drop of water causing ripples in a pond. Just like that drop, you too exist at the center of countless ripples, influenced by an intricate web of systems, from your closest relationships to vast societal structures. But how can we untangle and understand these complex interactions that shape who we are?

Enter the world of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, an eye-opening perspective that delves into the multi-layered influences on our individual development. This theory doesn't just see us as isolated beings but places us within a dynamic network of relationships and environments, each playing a pivotal role in our growth.

Have you ever wondered how to visually represent your unique world of relationships and experiences? Enter Genograms and Ecomaps, the illustrative tools that offer insightful snapshots of your life, mapping out family patterns, connections, and environmental influences.

Module Objectives

In this module, the activities, content, and assignments will guide your learning process to ensure you can:

Explain the foundational concepts of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, highlighting its significance in understanding individual development within broader contexts
Identify the various components of Bronfenbrenner's model, including the technosystem, microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem, and describe their interrelationships
Construct basic Genograms, demonstrating an understanding of their symbols, structures, and the information they convey about family patterns and histories
Design Ecomaps to visually represent an individual's interactions with their environment, capturing both formal and informal support systems
Evaluate the interconnectedness of individual, familial, and environmental factors, drawing upon Bronfenbrenner's theory, Genograms, and Ecomaps to provide a holistic view of human development

Module To-Do List

Here's everything you need to do and remember for this module:

Complete all assigned readings and watch all assigned videos
Complete Applying Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory assignment