Theories, Values and Perspectives of Macro Social Work Generalist Macro Practice Generalist Macro Practice

Social Systems Theory Basic Concepts  A Social System is a set of inter-related and inter-dependent components  People, Families, Groups, Organizations, Communities, Etc… are all OPEN SYSTEMS  Closed Systems have no interaction with their environments

Social Systems Theory Basic Concepts  SYSTEM BOUNDARIES separate one system from the next– and tension occurs at the boundary  Natural Systems are HIERARCHICAL in nature (subsystems & suprasystems)  Social systems are characterized by COMPLEXITY, meaning that the possibilities of their structures and capacities to change are immeasurable

Social Systems Theory Basic Concepts  Information, matter and energy are FILTERED through the boundary as INPUTS and OUTPUTS  The system observes itself and makes adjustments through information feedback loops (throughputs)  The system accumulates and transforms information, matter and energy to sustain itself and avoid ENTROPY

Social Systems Theory Basic Concepts  SYNERGY: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts (nonsummativity)  A change in one part of the system will impact changes in other parts of the system  The greater the variety of inputs, the greater the synergy  Systems are goal oriented and the ultimate goal of the system is to survive  Lack of goal specification means that the system will pursue multiple goals sporadically, which may conflict with each other and reduce synergy

The social work agency: A systems analysis  What feedback loops are present in the agency?  Are they formal or informal?  Who controls them?  Who makes decisions based on the information?  What does the agency do to sustain itself?  How does the agency respond when its survival is threatened?

The social work agency: A systems analysis  Who controls the boundaries?  What information is permitted to cross in?  What information is permitted out?  How do the individual components respond to change?  After a changing event, does the system return to homeostasis or find a new “steady state”?  How closely aligned are the goals of the organization versus the goals of the clients?

Values and Perspectives of Macro Practice  The Big Picture  Emphasis is placed on the “root causes” of social problems  Social justice is the ultimate goal  Responsibility for the Greater Good  Consideration of how individual action will impact collective results  Collective Empowerment (e.g., Staples, 1990)

Values and Perspectives of Macro Practice  Sustainability  Holistic view of human beings  Includes relationships between humans and their physical environments  Considers long-term viability of programs/plans  Democratic Process  Group participation  Collective decision-making  Consensus building

Values and Perspectives of Macro Practice  Intervention is necessary, but prevention is ideal  Evidence-based practice  Make decisions based on observable evidence  Evidence need not be numerical, but must be systematically documented

Values and Perspectives of Macro Practice  Respect for multiple ways of knowing and sources of knowledge (diversity is a strength)  Inclusion  The controlling system must have more variety (complexity) than what is being controlled (throughputs and outputs)  Strengths  Focus on the strengths before deficits/needs  Build on existing strengths, even if they are small  Celebrate success