What developmental factor includes normative and nonnormative life transitions?

The correct answer, which identifies the developmental factor that includes normative and nonnormative life transitions, is the chronosystem.

The chronosystem is a concept from Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory that addresses the role of time and timing in development. It encompasses the patterns of environmental events and transitions over the life course, including significant life events such as marriage, parenthood, and career changes, which can be categorized as normative transitions. Additionally, it also includes nonnormative transitions, which are unexpected events like divorce or the loss of a loved one. These transitions can profoundly affect an individual’s development, shaping their experiences and interactions within other systems.

In contrast, the macrosystem refers to broader societal contexts and cultural influences, while the exosystem includes settings that indirectly influence an individual, such as a parent's workplace. The microsystem is the immediate environment where an individual interacts, such as family and school. All these systems contribute to development but do not specifically emphasize the timing and nature of life transitions as the chronosystem does.