Contextual Theories

Contextual Theories

Contextual theories attend to the influence from various contexts, expecially the historical or sociocultural climates. Two major views are Ecological Theory and Life Course Theory.

Ecological Theory stresses the importance of various contexts or systems, including the microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems, and macrosystems.

Microsystems The setting includes where we live, our family, our peers, our schools, and our neighborhoods.

Mesosystems This refers to the interaction between experiences in the microsystems.

Exosystems These are experiences in another social setting that we do not have an active role in, but that have an immediate influence on us.

Macrosystems This is the culture in which we live.

Life Course Theory emphasizes four major themes.

Historical Time and Place The historical time period of our lives.

Timing of Lives The timing of events in our lives.

Linked Lives The relationships we experience.

Human Agency and Social Constraints The choices we make.

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Microsystems	The setting includes where we live, our family, our peers, our schools, and our neighborhoods.
Mesosystems	This refers to the interaction between experiences in the microsystems.
Exosystems	These are experiences in another social setting that we do not have an active role in, but that have an immediate influence on us.
Macrosystems	This is the culture in which we live.

Historical Time and Place	The historical time period of our lives.
Timing of Lives	The timing of events in our lives.
Linked Lives	The relationships we experience.
Human Agency and Social Constraints	The choices we make.