Systems Theory

The provided video explains Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, or EST. This is a framework that provides policymakers an idea into an issue from an individual and micro level, radiating outward all the way to a macro level. Similar to design thinking, which is covered here, this model places humans at the center of the issue.

Why is this model so helpful? Personally, I think it's applicable to any number of behavioral contexts. For example, EST can be applied to a person going to college or someone applying for a blue collar versus a white collar job.

Expanding on Bronfenbrenner's EST, Neal & Neal (2013) argue that ecological systems are an overlapping set of constructs that are directly or indirectly linked with other people based on direct or indirect social interactions. Essentially, it's more of a network. Each system within EST is based on social relationships that the central individual has. The key difference is that Bronfenbrenner sees each system as nested within each other.

The article provided goes into painstaking detail about the networked view of EST.