Which theory suggests that the development of a person is embedded in a series of complex and interactive systems?

Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory is the correct answer because it emphasizes that human development occurs within a complex framework of interacting systems that encompass different layers of influence. According to this theory, development is not only affected by immediate relationships and environments but also by broader contexts such as cultural, social, and economic factors.

Bronfenbrenner outlines several systems that contribute to development, including the microsystem (immediate environments like family and school), mesosystem (interactions between microsystems), exosystem (larger social systems that indirectly affect the individual), and macrosystem (the overarching cultural values and laws). This multi-layered perspective highlights how a person’s growth is shaped by a range of interconnected environmental influences throughout their life.

In contrast, Erikson's Psychosocial Theory focuses on psychosocial development through specific stages centered on social relationships, but does not emphasize the broader environmental systems impacting development. Pavlov's Conditioning Theory and Skinner's Behavioral Theory center primarily on learning processes and behavior modification through stimulus-response relationships, lacking the broader environmental context that characterizes Bronfenbrenner's approach.