This free Bronfenbrenner ecological model template lets you map every system that shapes a person and turns it into a clear layered diagram. It is made for psychology, education, social work and nursing students, and for anyone writing a case study.
Bronfenbrenner ecological model template
Type the influences for each system and the diagram updates as you write. Keep each box short, a few words or a short list works best. Download the finished diagram as a PNG for assignments, case studies or slides.
What is the Bronfenbrenner ecological model?
Developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner described ecological systems theory in his 1979 book The Ecology of Human Development. It says that a person develops within a set of nested environments, from close relationships at the centre to culture and society on the outside, and that these layers interact with each other. He later added the chronosystem to capture change over time, and developed the idea further into the bioecological model.
The five systems explained
| System | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | The person at the centre and their own characteristics. | Age, sex, health, temperament, abilities |
| Microsystem | People and places the person deals with directly every day. | Family, school or workplace, friends, neighbours, clubs |
| Mesosystem | Connections between parts of the microsystem. | Parents talking with teachers, friends visiting the home |
| Exosystem | Settings that affect the person indirectly, where they do not take part themselves. | A parent’s job, local health services, social media, local government |
| Macrosystem | The wider culture and structures of society. | Cultural values, religion, laws, the economy, social class |
| Chronosystem | Change and timing across the life course. | Starting school, divorce, moving country, a pandemic, puberty |
How to use the template
Start at the centre with the person, then work outwards. For each system, write three or four of the most important influences in a few words. Think about links between settings for the mesosystem and about indirect effects for the exosystem. Finally, add any major life events or transitions to the chronosystem timeline, then download the diagram.
Worked example
For a nine year old child: the individual layer might list age 9, shy, loves animals. The microsystem includes mum, older brother, class teacher and the football club. The mesosystem notes that mum and the teacher meet each term. The exosystem includes mum working night shifts and a new local library. The macrosystem covers national curriculum and cultural values around education, and the chronosystem records moving house last year.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Bronfenbrenner template free?
Yes. It is free with no sign up. Everything runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored.
Can I use the diagram in my assignment?
Yes. Download the PNG and add it to your essay, report or slides. Remember to cite Bronfenbrenner (1979) for the theory itself.
What is the difference between the mesosystem and the exosystem?
The mesosystem is about links between settings the person is part of, such as home and school. The exosystem is made of settings the person is not part of that still affect them, such as a parent’s workplace.
Why is it called an ecological model?
Like an ecosystem, it looks at a person within their whole environment and at how the parts interact, rather than at the person alone. That makes it useful in ecology and environmental education too, for example when exploring how communities relate to nature.
Erzsebet Frey (Eli Frey) is an ecologist and online entrepreneur with a Master of Science in Ecology from the University of Belgrade. Originally from Serbia, she has lived in Sri Lanka since 2017. Eli has worked internationally in countries like Oman, Brazil, Germany, and Sri Lanka. In 2018, she expanded into SEO and blogging, completing courses from UC Davis and Edinburgh. Eli has founded multiple websites focused on biology, ecology, environmental science, sustainable and simple living, and outdoor activities. She enjoys creating nature and simple living videos on YouTube and participates in speleology, diving, and hiking.
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