Exosystem

The exosystem is a concept from Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory used in developmental psychology. It refers to external environments in which a person does not actively participate but which still influence their development indirectly through their impact on structures with which the individual interacts, such as family, peers, and schools.

Examples of exosystem factors include a caregiver’s workplace policies and stress levels, community resources like libraries and recreational centers, extended family networks, local media, and governmental or organizational services. These settings affect the individual by shaping the conditions of the microsystem—through gating access to resources, shaping routines, or altering parental behavior and emotional availability.

The exosystem interacts with other levels of the ecological model, particularly the microsystem, mesosystem, and macrosystem. A change in an exosystem variable, such as new workplace regulations or shifts in community safety, can ripple through the family and daily life, ultimately influencing a child or individual’s development without direct exposure to the exosystem itself.

In research and policy, the exosystem helps explain how broader social structures contribute to outcomes like academic achievement, behavior, and well-being. It is often examined to understand indirect pathways from social policy, economic conditions, and community characteristics to individual development.

Critiques include difficulties in measurement and establishing causal links, as well as distinguishing exosystem effects from related macro-level factors. The exosystem remains a foundational element within broader models that emphasize the multi-layered, dynamic nature of human development.