Systems Theory

By,
Javier Fleming, Ashley Quinn, Britney Pope, Precious Thomas,
LaDajah Jackson
 Overview & Relevant History
Relevant History:

Ludwig Von Bertalanffy ( 1901-1972) is given credit for being the creator of the form of systems theory that is used in the field of Social Work. Von
was a theoretical biologist. Von was not pleased with the way linear, cause and effect theories explained the growth and change of living
organisms. He thought different about the interactions between the parts of an organism. Bertalanffy thought that the change might occur
because of the interactions between the parts of an organism, a point of view that represented a drastic change from the theories of his day. The
introduction of systems theory changed the framework by looking at the system as a whole, with in relationships and interactions with other
systems, as a mechanism of growth and change.

What is systems Theory ?

System theory is what enables us to understand the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual conditions of clients in order to interpret
problems and develop balanced intervention strategies between the individual and the environment. Social theory is not responsible for dissecting
a specific problem or a specific intervention, rather it serves as an ongoing conceptual framework for understanding. ( Goldstein, 1990) As we
know today, systems theory has its origins from sociology and biology. A few sociologist came up with the concepts that described the competing
and sometimes balancing of individuals needs and desires with the morals, values, customs, and expectations of the community.

As social workers:

it is are job to be able to hold hold a variety of different roles. Social workers employ systems theory in order to understand the dynamic
interrelations between individuals, families, institutions and societies. Generally, they want to identify how a system functions, what aspects of that
system have a negative impact on people and understand how they can cause positive change in that system. ( http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com)
 Relevant Terminology
The originator of systems theory believed that all things, living and nonliving, could be regarded as a system . Each system is a unit of
wholeness with a distinct property or structural limitation.

Systems Boundary- is what makes each system unique and gives it definition. Some boundaries are clearly defined; others may be permeable.
For example, if defining a person as a system, one may literally identify the person skin as a boundary.

Open System- living organisms are open systems, open systems exchanges matter with its environment.

Closed systems: Are more isolated from their environment Ex. An ethnic minority community that has limited access to the majority
cultural institutions due to active discrimination directed against its members.

System outputs- when the system is exporting more energy than it is able to import. Due to the fact that systems rely on the flow of energy,
without outputs relying on inputs, too much exporting can lead to a state of disorder referred to as entropy.

Feedback- a method of evaluation used to determine whether the systems outputs are consonant with the perceived outcomes

Outcomes- are goals that the system has established for itself.
Other Contributions to Systems Theory

Von Bertalanffy was influenced by Durkheim and Max Weber., both of whom were early pioneers in
Sociology.

They took systems theory as it was applied in the late 1800s and early 1900s to biological organisms
and applied it to human social systems

Bertalanffy believed that human beings experience a unique social reality not experienced by other
organisms.

Order can only be maintained through the consent of individuals within the group who share the
same morals and values.
Other Contributions to Systems Theory
cont..
An example of this would be, the role of police in a society they are to protect and serve the citizens.
The stability of society is threatened when the police abuse their authority.

Talcott Parsons discovered the four functional states of social systems:

-Adaptation (to the external environment)

-Goal Attainment (Growth)

-Integration (with other social systems)

-Latency (Homeostasis)
Other Contributions to Systems Theory
cont...
When attempting to understand and intervene in social systems social workers must consider the
functional imperative of the system.

Cybernetics- is an interdisciplinary approach that grew in part out of structural functionalism and an
interest in understanding how systems create and use processes to regulate themselves.

Family systems theory was developed by Murray Bowen. He identified five characteristics of a family
system
Other Contributions to Systems Theory
cont...
External and internal family boundaries

Family rules

Family role organization

Power distribution among family members,

The communication process

Communication is both verbal and nonverbal and as social workers, it is an important aspect of
practice.

Virginia Satir- used the term metacommunication to describe communication about

Ecological Environment

-Uri Brofenbrenner was credited the concept of Ecological Environment

Bronfenbrenner developed a strong belief in the resilient nature of human beings.

Von Bertalanffys model assumed a single- dimension cause- and effect- relationship between social
units.

When the concept of Ecological Environment is introduced, the formula of human development, is the result
of complex matrix for defining behavior.
 Life Stress & Coping Mechanisms

Person in the environment leads to a normal tension, also referred to as life stressors.

The systems need to continue to adapt and achieve a state of homeostasis is itself a source of stress.

Life stress include both emotional and physiological elements.

Stress is perceived differently by age, gender culture, and emotional states.

Life Stressors

What are some ways you deal with life stressors?

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 Coping Mechanisms for Life Stressors
Coping requires problem solving- what needs to be done to manage stress-and ability to regulate regular
feeling.

The outcome of these factors leads to increased self esteem.

Blocking out negative feelings is essential for maintaining hope and beginning problem solving.

Each individual deals with life stress along continuum in which adaptive coping and maladaptive defenses
constitute the extremes.

Each person relies on their own strength to cope with stress

Ways to cope with Life Stressors

Identify the source of stress in your life Express your feelings instead of bottling them up

Make a stress journal (write down what is Connect with others

bothering you)
Make time for fun and relaxation
Avoid people and situations that causes stress

Replace unhealthy coping strategies with unhealthy

ones (such as smoking, drinking, etc)
Ecomaps & Genograms
Ecomaps and genograms are effective ways to assess the relationship a client has with various systems they
interact with on a daily basis. They can be a useful tool during the engagement phase of working with clients
and illustrates a clients supports and areas where strained or broken relationships exist, and the family
dynamic.
 Genograms
According to Rempel, Neufeld, & Kushner (2007), genograms are defined as, a graphic portrayal of the composition
and structure of ones family.

Genograms are useful in practice when:

Wanting to obtain a historical overview of the family.

Identifying hidden family patterns (Brandell, 2017)

Things to remember:

Genograms should be completed with the family

A key should be used to identify patterns and relationships

 Ecomaps
According to Rempel, Neufeld, & Kushner (2007), ecomaps are defined as, a graphic portrayal of the family and
social relationships.

Ecomaps are useful in practice when:

Wanting to identify exosystems that affect other member in the household, but not the individual client.
(Brandell, 2017)

Identify family supports and areas where relationships can be strengthened between the client and their
environment.

Things to remember:

Ecomaps should be completed with the family/individual

An assessment of how to strengthen weakened supports should occur.

Have you ever used a genogram or ecomap in practice or completed on individually? How was it helpful or not
helpful?
Social Network Map
A social network map is used to identify and engage the client to explore his or her social supports. Social supports are important
and are classified into five categories: emotional integration, social integration, opportunity for nurturance, reassurance of worth,
and assistance. (Brandell, 2017) They are especially used when understanding social supports that benefit the client emotionally or
behaviorally.

On the map, the client is placed in the Innermost Ring, then the client will identify supports in their life, the supports that are
identified on the map closest to the center would be the supports who demonstrate the greatest amount of support provided to the
client.

For example, a client who identifies a mental health agency as their only support or biggest support would put the name of that
agency closest to the center of the map.
 Social Network Map
The support grid also identifies the level of support the client receives.

For Example-

Listing the network members : 1- (household members) , 2 (family/relative), 3(friends), 4(people from work or school),
5(people from clubs, organizations , or religious groups), 6(neighbors), and 7(agency, or other formal providers).

Then questions are asked regarding the nature of the relationship available (emotional, concrete, informational, how often
seen, how long known, direction of help, and closeness).

Can you as social workers identify your support systems in your life?
 Conclusion

Systems Theory explains human behavior as the intersection of the influences of multiple interrelated systems.

For example, Organizations, families, individual issues, and other systems are involved when trying to understand the client
system within its ecological environment

The environment has multiple influences- Biological, psychological, social, and spiritual.

The clinical tools (genogram, ecomap, and social network map) are vital in information gathering when working with clients.
 References
Brandell, J. & Ringell, S. (2017). Social work practice with Micro, Mezzo and MacroSystems. Shulman, Prochaska & Norcross,
(2017). Micro & Mezzo Practice and Theory.

Stress Management. Stress Management: Using Self-Help Techniques for Dealing with Stress,
www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm.

Rempel, R. G., Neufeld, A., Kushner, E.A. (2007). Interaction use of genograms and ecomaps in family caregiving
research. Sage Journals, 13 (4). 403-419.