The ecological perspective views human development as the product of interactions between individuals and their various environments over time. It considers humans as biological and social organisms that transact with their surroundings in a reciprocal relationship. Environments can influence behaviors but do not determine them. This holistic framework examines people within the contexts of multiple embedded systems from micro to macro levels.

1. THE ECOLOGY OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

12. Human Ecological System Perspective System Theory Objects + Attributes + Relationships + Environment + Human Ecology Ecological Theory Organism + Environment + Interaction +

13. GENERAL SYSTEM CONCEPTS HUMAN ECOLOGY CONCEPTS FAMILY ECOLOGY CONCEPTS SYSTEM HUMAN ECOSYSTEM FAMILY ECOSYSTEM ELEMENTS/OBJECTS ORGANISM/INDIV. FAMILY ATTRIBUTES ENVIRONMENT RESOURCES RELATIONSHIP INTERACTION NEEDS ENVIRONMENT PATTERN VALUES INFORMATION INTERDEPENDENCY GOALS ENERGY PERCEPTION JUDGEMENTS MATTER ORGANIZATION DECISION MAKING SPACE VARIABILITY COMMUNICATION TIME ADAPTATION HUMAN DEVELOPMENT HOMEOSTASIS TECHNOLOGY PERSONALITY FEEDBACK FUNCTION, HOLISME WELL-BEING BOUNDARY LIMITATION, NICHE QUALITY OF LIFE

24. Family Ecosystem Model [Bubolz & Sontag; 1990] Family Technology-human constructed Socio-cultural Natural-bio-physical

31. INDIVIDU MICROSYSTEM MESOSYSTEM EXOSYSTEM MACROSISTEM CHRONO-SYSTEM Pattern of events & changes in structure according to time Value system Pattern of behaviour Belief system School Family Friends Work place Government agencies Community

39. FAMILIES WITH VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS Structure Ethnic Origin Socio-economic status WITH INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY ATTRIBUTES Needs Values Goals Resources Artifacts INTERACTIONS WITH & WITHIN MULTIPLE ENVIRONMENTS Natural-biological-physical Human constructed Socio-cultural ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… TRANSFORM Energy Information INVOLVED IN CORE PROCESSES Adaptation THROUGH ACTIVITIES / PROCESSES Perceiving Decision making Sustainability Organization Management Human development Communication Technology advancement Design …………………………………………………………………………………………………… . OUTCOME Q of Life & Q of Environment Product of the realisations of values & goals Human well-being Environmental Sustainability Practices Figure: Interrelationships between concepts in Family Ecology theory Output at micro & macro levels Family ecosystem process Family ecosystem structure