In ecological theory, the exosystem includes contexts that influence development indirectly, such as which setting?

In ecological theory, the exosystem includes contexts that influence development indirectly, such as which setting?

• A. The child's classroom
• B. The parent's workplace
• C. The child's peer group
• D. The child's family

Answer: (B)

Exosystem involves settings that influence the child indirectly through their effects on the child’s immediate environments. The parent's workplace is a classic example because the child doesn’t participate there, but workplace factors—like job stress, hours, or income—can shape how parents interact with the child, the amount of time available, and the resources the family can provide. Those ripple effects can impact the child’s development even though the child isn’t directly part of the workplace. In contrast, the child’s classroom, peer group, and family are directly part of the child’s everyday experiences, so they belong to the microsystem.

Exosystem involves settings that influence the child indirectly through their effects on the child’s immediate environments. The parent's workplace is a classic example because the child doesn’t participate there, but workplace factors—like job stress, hours, or income—can shape how parents interact with the child, the amount of time available, and the resources the family can provide. Those ripple effects can impact the child’s development even though the child isn’t directly part of the workplace. In contrast, the child’s classroom, peer group, and family are directly part of the child’s everyday experiences, so they belong to the microsystem.