_____ refers to the influences of the social and physical environment in which the child lives.
The term "context" refers to the influences of the social and physical environment in which the child lives.
The term you are looking for is "environmental factors." Environmental factors can include aspects such as family dynamics, socioeconomic status, access to resources, neighborhood conditions, peer relationships, and cultural influences. These factors play a significant role in shaping a child's development and can have long-term impacts on their growth, learning, and behavior.
The term you are referring to is "ecological systems theory." This theory, developed by psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner, emphasizes the significant role of the social and physical environment in a child's development. It suggests that a child's development is influenced by multiple layers of environments, or systems, that interact with one another.
To better understand how ecological systems theory describes these influences, let's delve into its main components:
1. Microsystem: This refers to the child's immediate environment, such as their family, peers, school, and community. The interactions and relationships within this system have direct and immediate effects on the child's development.
2. Mesosystem: This component focuses on the connections and interactions among the different microsystems in a child's life. For example, how the child's family interactions at home might be influenced by their experiences at school.
3. Exosystem: This includes settings that indirectly influence the child's development, even though they may not involve direct interaction. For instance, a parent losing a job can impact a child's well-being.
4. Macrosystem: This refers to the larger cultural and societal context in which the child lives, such as cultural norms, values, and socioeconomic conditions. These broader influences shape the child's development through their influence on the other systems.
5. Chronosystem: This represents the element of time and how the child's environments change over time. It recognizes that individuals are constantly developing within ever-evolving environments.
By analyzing the ecological systems surrounding a child, we can gain a greater understanding of how the social and physical environment shapes their development.