In ecological systems theory, which system includes the government and media that affect the individual’s immediate context?

The correct understanding of ecological systems theory identifies the exosystem as the system that includes factors such as government and media, which can influence an individual's immediate context indirectly.

In this theory, the exosystem encompasses the social settings that do not directly involve the individual but still exert influence over them. For example, decisions made by government entities, policies affecting communities, and media representations can shape the environment in which an individual interacts, even though the individual may not directly participate in those social settings. This indirect influence is crucial as it acknowledges that individuals are affected by broader social structures.

In contrast, the microsystem refers specifically to the immediate environments where individuals have direct interactions, such as family and school. The macrosystem encompasses broader cultural and societal influences, including norms and ideologies, but it doesn't focus on the indirect influences that the exosystem entails. The chronosystem relates to the dimension of time and how changes over time affect the individual. Thus, the exosystem is the appropriate choice as it captures the influence of external systems like government and media on individual experiences.