Includes bibliographical references (pages 299-319) and index.
An ecological orientation. Purpose and perspective ; Basic concepts -- Elements of the setting. The nature and function of molar activities ; Interpersonal structures as contexts of human development ; Roles as contexts of human development -- The analysis of settings. The laboratory as an ecological context ; Children's institutions as contexts of human development ; Day care and preschool as contexts of human development -- Beyond the microsystem. The mesosystem and human development ; The exosystem and human development ; The macrosystem and human development.