Reflection 1 - The Ecology of You

This document is a reflection on the impact of microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems, and macrosystems on the development of an individual. It includes both positive and negative impacts of various factors such as family, school, peers, neighborhood/community, and cultural environment. The document is relevant for students studying human development, psychology, and sociology.

Running head: REFLECTION 1 1
Reflection 1 – The Ecology of You
Student’s Name
Institution

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Reflection 1- The Ecology of You
Microsystems (Negative Impact on Development)

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Microsystems
Examples in your microsystem
 The Child (Self): Temperament, personality, sex,
age, health
 Family: mother, father, siblings, grandparents
 child’s home,
 School: principal, teacher, guidance, daycare,
 Peers
 Neighborhood/Community
 Affects how the child grows.
For each of the
following, list one
factor that you feel
might have
negatively
impacted your
development
Provide a description and
reflection explaining the
impact (then and now)
1. SELF I was a slow to
warm up child
I had a low activity level when
I was a child. Also I had a low
intensity of mood. My parents
always tried to cheer me up
but to no avail. This character
continues to affect me today
since my friends often tell me
that I tend to be difficult to
deal with when things have
not gone according to plan. At
one time when a project that
we were working on failed to
be taken up, I alienated my
partners and resolved to find
the solution individually.
2. FAMILY
Noisy home
In a family of seven, my home
was always noisy and I found
it difficult to concentrate when
doing homework. Hence, I
disliked the home
environment and would only
spend brief periods in the
house. Today, I stay away
from noisy place and I cannot
get along with noisy people.
3. SCHOOL My school principal My school principal always
emphasized on discipline in a
harshly manner. He was fond
of shouting and commanding
other teachers when they

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failed to foster discipline
among students. There was
tension and fear whenever the
principal was around. Today, I
tend to dissociate myself with
people who have a similar
character to my former school
principle. As such, I avoid
people who shout and make
demands.
4. PEERS Bruce I always admired Bruce for all
the wrong reasons when I was
a child. He was tough at
school and no one would dare
cross his path. I approached
him once so that I could
befriend him but he turned me
down. This rejection impacted
me negatively that I started to
look down upon myself. I even
questioned my self-worth. All
my life I have struggled to pull
myself up when I am rejected
by others.
5. NEIGHBOURHOOD/COMMUNITY Unsafe
neighbourhood
When I was nine, I lived in a
neighbourhood that was not
always safe given that many
people claimed that their
homes were broken into. This
prompted many people leave.
Today, I am always shy of
handling theft cases and living
in such areas.

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Microsystems (Positive Impact on Development)

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Microsystems
Examples in your
microsystem
 Your Self
 Your family
 Your School and
teacher
 Your peer group
 The media
(favourite TV
show, books,
movies, video
games, etc.)
 Your
neighbourhood or
surrounding
community
For each of the
following, list one
factor that you feel
might have
buffered or
positively impact
your development
Provide a description and reflection explaining the impact
(then and now)
1. SELF
My temperament
as a child can be
described as easy.
I was predictable and calm. It was easy for me to
approach new experiences positively a trait which I
maintain till today. As a child it was easy for me to
adapt to new environments easily. This could be seen
in the way I made new friends when my parents
moved me to a different school. Similarly, I currently
find it easy to make new friends and adapt to new
environment
2. FAMILY Hardworking mom My mom always worked hard to take care of her
children and balance the same with work. She took
care of all the house chores because she believed it
was a mother’s job. Likewise, she gave her all at work
in the process gaining a promotion. She has inspired
me to be a hard worker. I also strive to manage
leisure with school work ensuring that both areas
receive equal time. She set a high standard for me to
achieve success in future and I still strive to be like
her.
3. SCHOOL My mathematics
teacher
Ms. Grace, my mathematics teacher was so
passionate about the subject that she believed that
no student was capable in failing at this subject. I
was one of the few in class who feared maths and
going from one test to another, I continued to fail. Ms.
Grace arranged for individual tuition and she always
encouraged me to approach the subject with

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positivity. Eventually, her passion, determination and
belief in me enabled me to make great strides in the
subject and managed to become good at it. I admired
her devotion and I apply it whenever a situation
seems problematic.
4. PEERS Supportive
friends
My peers both at school and at home were always
supportive of each other. In difficult times, they
would always encourage each other. I learnt to
acknowledge that although some situations may be
difficult, there is always light at the end of the tunnel
provided that I face it positively and with
determination to find a solution.
5. NEIGHBOU
RHOOD/
COMMUNIT
Y
My
community
Growing up in the Caribbean, people from the
community always held high expectations for the
brightest in the society. I received the same amount
of pressure when I was a child with those who knew
me always talking high of me. Today, this pressure
has impacted on me to work hard and strive to
achieve my dreams.

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Mesosystem (Negative Impact on Development)

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MESOSYSTEM
Examples in your
Mesosystem
 How your parents interacted
with your peers
 How your parents interacted
with your school
 Whether your parents helped
with school work
 How your community
supported your school or
activities (sports…)
For each of
the
following,
list
individual
micro
systems
that might
have
interacted
with
another
micro
system in
your
environmen
t that you
feel might
have put
you at risk
Provide a description and
reflection explaining the
impact (then and now)
1. FAMILY + (another
Micro system) =
impact on me
My dad
and my
next door
neighbour
My dad and my next door
neighbour, Mr. James
were close friends. They
would spend most nights
drinking till the wee
hours. These habits have
impacted on me since I
often waste a lot of time
with some friends playing
video games instead of
engaging in meaningful
work.
2. SCHOOL+ (another
Micro system) =
impact on me
My class
teacher
and my
mother
My mother never got
along with my class
teacher and whenever I
dropped marks in the
final exams she was quick
to blame the teacher.
Today, I tend to blame
others for outcomes that
they could not have
prevented such as

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missing a bus.
3. PEERS + (another
Micro system) =
impact on me
My friend
Bruce and
French
teacher
Bruce was good in French
class and the always
applauded. I have come to
associate social status
with doing well in every
aspect in life.
4. NEIGHBOURHOOD/
COMMUNITY +
(another Micro
system) = impact
on me
The school
and
neighbourh
ood
Our neighbourhood was
not always safe and the
school was quick to
associate security
problems with individuals
from neighbourhood. I
have come to blame my
neighbourhood for the
problems that many of
peers who grew up with
me currently face.

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Mesosystem (Positive Impact on Development)

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MESOSYSTEM
Examples in your
Mesosystem
 How your parents
interacted with your peers
 How your parents
interacted with your school
 Whether your parents
helped with school work
 How your community
supported your school or
activities (sports…)
For each of
the
following,
list
individual
micro
systems
that might
have
interacted
with
another
micro
system in
your
environme
nt that you
feel might
have
buffered or
positively
impact
your
developme
nt
Provide a description and
reflection explaining the
impact (then and now)
1. FAMILY + (another
Micro system) =
impact on me
My dad
and the
school
My father unlike my mom
was always willing to help
me with schoolwork. This
has encouraged me to
always seek assistance
from the faculty members
whenever am faced with a
problem at school or any
other area for example
counselling.
2. SCHOOL+ (another
Micro system) =
impact on me
My school
and my
community
Regardless of the
perceptions held at school
regarding our
neighbourhood, the
community was always
willing to assist the

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school programs. For
instance, they organized
fundraising to help
finance school projects
and rebuilding. In my life,
I am always willing to
lend a helping hand to
those in need irrespective
of our previous hostile
relationships.
3. PEERS + (another
Micro system) =
impact on me
My peers
and my
parents
Most of my friends
maintained a close
relationship with my
parents. Likewise, my
parents knew each and
every friend of mine in a
bid to ensure that I don’t
engage with bad
company. This has
affected the way I chose
my friends today since I
disengage with peers who
engage in delinquent
behaviours.
4. NEIGHBOURHOOD/
COMMUNITY +
(another Micro
system) = impact
on me
My
neighbour
and my
father
My neighbour and my dad
were very close and they
would assist each other
emotionally and
financially. I have come to
value my closest friends
and the value that they
bring in my life including
enabling me to become a
better person.

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EXOSYSTEM (Negative Impact on Development)

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EXOSYSTEM
Examples in your Exosystem:
 Your parents’ jobs
 Vacations
 Whether there was a
divorce in the family
(think in terms of areas in your
life where you did not play an
active role but still were still
effected)
For each of
the
following,
list one
factor in
your
childhood
that you
feel you
may not
have been
directly
involved in
but still
negatively
affects your
developme
nt
Provide a description and
reflection explaining the
impact (then and now)
1. FAMILY My dad’s
long
working
hours
My dad often came home
late from work and we did
not spend much time
together except for the
holidays. My relationship
with him has therefore
become distant and we only
talk once in a while. I am
even afraid to confront him
with some issues that I
face.
2. SCHOOL The
pavilion
area in our
school
The pavilion area in our
school was designated for
special guests and students
who were found there faced
harsh punishments from the
principle. I was afraid back
then and today I am still
afraid of going to high
places where I am not
invited even if I might find
new opportunities to
pursue.

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3. PEERS My peers
admiration
for
privileged
children
My peers held high regards
for the more privileged kids.
I fought hard to gain their
admiration but I could not
succeed. Today, I
sometimes seek approval
from other people instead
of believing in myself.
4. NEIGHBOURS/
COMMUNITY
Inferiority
complex in
my
neighbourh
ood
Inferiority complex brewed
among many people in my
neighbourhood including me
given our low
socioeconomic status.
Today I have come to
believe that people from
less privileged societies
have lesser chances of
succeeding in life.

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EXOSYSTEM (Positive Impact on Development)

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EXOSYSTEM
Examples in your Exosystem:
 Your parents’ jobs
 Whether there was a divorce in the
family
(think in terms of areas in your life where you
did not play an active role but still were still
effected)
For each
of the
following,
list one
factor in
your
childhood
that you
feel you
may not
have been
directly
involved
in but still
positively
affects
Provide a description
and reflection
explaining the impact
(then and now)
1. FAMILY My mom’s
place of
employme
nt had a
union
The support that my
mother received from
the union was
remarkable and
together, I realized
that they were able
to achieve many
objectives. I have
come to appreciate
the value of
collaboration and
unity especially when
there is a common
grievance that needs
resolving.
2. SCHOOL Art
theater at
my school
When I was young, I
had limited interest
in art and theatre but
after visiting the
school’s art theater, I
discovered by talent
in drawing. I picked it
up and today I still
draw to clear my
mind and nurture my

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talent.
3. PEERS Close
relationshi
ps with
my peers
In sixth grade, I
developed strong
ties with my peers.
We always stuck
together and kept
each other out of
trouble. Today,
whenever am faced
with a challenge, I
am quick to call my
peers and talk about
the issue at hand. I
can attest that their
advice has been
valuable to me in
every step of the
way.
4. NEIGHBOURHOOD/
COMMUNITY
In grade 5
I lived in a
neighbour
hood with
neighbour
hood
watch
The neighbourhood
watch managed to
address the security
problems that we
faced. I learnt that
togetherness is
essential in
addressing
community issues.

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Macrosystem (Negative Impact on Development)
Macro system
Examples in your macrosystem:
 Your ethnic heritage
 Your religious beliefs
 Where you live in an urban
or rural area setting
 Your social class lower,
middle, upper)
 Who was prime minister,
wars, conflicts, social
movements, trends or fads
etc…?)
 Ethnicity
 Social Status
 Cultural Values
 War
The relative freedoms
Permitted by the Government.
Policies and Political Activities
that affect Child.
For each of
the
following,
list one
factor in
your
cultural
environmen
t that you
think may
have
negatively
affect your
upbringing
Provide a description and
reflection explaining the
impact (then and now)

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1. FAMILY My father’s
culture
promoted
males as
dominant
I lived in patriarchal society
where males were dominant
over females. Currently I am
struggling to embrace the
whole idea of feminism and
promoting equality for both
genders.
2. SCHOOL I went to a
catholic
school
I didn’t necessarily learn
about other beliefs and this
ignorance impacts me today
because I do not know how
to appreciate other people’s
religious beliefs.
3. PEERS Ragged
dressing
code
Ragged dressing was
trending when I reached
fifth grade. My peers and I
subsequently adapted this
dressing code. Today, I
sometimes find myself
dressing shabbily for formal
occasions.
4. NEIGHBOURS/
COMMUNITY
In grade 10
I went to
night
school that
didn’t have
security
walks to
our car
With limited security, I was
always fearful of being
attacked. Today, I become
paranoid of the dark and I
cannot walk alone in dark
streets or alleys.

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Macrosystem (Positive Impact on Development)
Macro system
 Your ethnic heritage
 Your religious beliefs
 Where you live in an urban
or rural area setting
 Your social class lower,
middle, upper)
 Who was prime minister,
wars, conflicts, social
movements, trends or fads
etc…?)
 Ethnicity
 Social Status
 Cultural Values
 War
The relative freedoms
Permitted by the Government.
Policies and Political Activities
that affect Child.
For each of
the
following,
list one
factor in
your
cultural
environmen
t that you
think may
have
protect
your
upbringing
Provide a description and
reflection explaining the
impact (then and now)

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1. FAMILY My mom
work her
way up to a
position of
status
I saw how my mom worked
hard to redeem the status
of women. She has since
then inspired me to be a
champion for the
marginalized groups in the
society.
2. SCHOOL School
culture of
discipline
Our school had a strict
culture of maintaining high
levels of discipline. It was
thus inevitable that I was a
disciplined child. I currently
maintain these high
standards and they have
pivotal in my academics.
3. PEERS Calling out
each other
for the
right
reasons
My peers always called out
on each when a person
behaved inappropriately or
indulged in trouble making.
This enabled us to stay out
of trouble since we valued
each other’s opinions.
Today, this culture has
assisted me in dealing with
my friends since I am
always quick to point out
and correct someone when
they have done wrong.
4. NEIGHBOURS/
COMMUNITY
In grade 10
I went to
night
school that
didn’t have
security
walks to
our car
Although I am afraid of dark
places, I always try to pull
myself together and face
my fears.

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Chrono system (Negative Impact on Development)
Chrono system
Examples in your Chronosystem:
(i.e. death of parent, or
growing up during times
of war.
List one
time
related
factors that
you think
might have
negatively
impact a
your
developme
nt
Provide a description and
reflection explaining the
impact (then and now)
Conflict
between
two tribal
communitie
s
Members from two
communities were always at
loggerheads when I was
growing up. I struggled then
and also today to stay in
environments where there
is a lot of hostility.
Chrono system (Positive Impact on Development)

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Chrono system
Examples in your Chronosystem:
(i.e. death of parent, or
growing up during times
of war.
List one
time
related
factors that
you think
might have
negatively
impact a
your
developme
nt
Provide a description and
reflection explaining the
impact (then and now)
Mediation
ensued
from
community
leaders
Leaders from both
communities came together
and attempted to address
the conflict. Given the
compromise that followed, I
learnt that dialogue is
critical in management of
conflict. I always listen to
both sides of the parties
when attempting to resolve
a conflict.