Urie Bronfenbrenner uses the term in his ecological systems theory where it constitutes the most immediate environment which envelops an individual. Thus in a child’s development it consists of parents, guardians, other family members, and close friends who constitute the immediate home circle.1
Ashiabi, Godwin S.; O’Neal, Keri K. (19 June 2015). "Child Social Development in Context: An Examination of Some Propositions in Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory". SAGE Open. 5 (2): 215824401559084. doi:10.1177/2158244015590840. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2158244015590840 ↩