1. SYSTEMS THEORY AND THE ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
SYSTEMS THEORY AND THE ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
The biological, psychological, and sociological influences on human development
A bio-psycho-social perspective
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Andrew T. Nilsson, Ph.D.
Eastern Connecticut State University
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2. THE MEDICAL MODEL An early model for social work practice
STUDY
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENT
CURE
Assessment
DSM IV
Therapy
Cure?
Focus on the individual with the problem
Assumes the professional has the knowledge and power to cure
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3. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

4. THINK AND SHARE
What were the bio-psycho-social factors that had most influence in making you the person you are today?
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS?
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS?
SOCIAL FACTORS?
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5. BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
Common biological factors:
Physical appearance; sex; race; age; abilities or disabilities; family history of inheritable conditions such as cancer, alcoholism, schizophrenia, depression, etc.
Do we start with a clean slate?
No. At birth our slate is already written on by by heredity
But environmental factors influence the unfolding of biological development. Einstein would not have become Einstein if he had been born into a family that could not feed him or who failed to provide him with intellectual stimulation.
Is biology destiny?
The nature-nurture, heredity v. environment debate
Can we modify biological inheritance? Genetic engineering, mapping of the human genome, genetic selection
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6. PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
Intelligence Personality Self-image
Where does your psychological make-up come from?
Inheritance (biology)
Experiences (sociology)
Cooley’s looking glass self – we learn who we are from how others treat us
Useful theory? One person may be strengthened by growing up with an alcoholic parent; another destroyed. What makes the difference?
Important issue – application of theory to practice:
If behavior learned (a response to environment) it can be unlearned
If behavior inherited, change may be more problematic.
Can the leopard change its spots?
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7. Moral: bio-psycho-social factors interact to make us who we are.
SOCIAL INFLUENCES
People: Family and family relationships; relationships with key individuals (parent, grandparent, spouse, significant other)
Influence can be positive or negative; nurturing and supportive or destructive
Clearly people are an important part of the factors which make us who we are.
Social environment: community, neighborhood
Economics: economic status influences resources and opportunities available to the individual
Religion
Moral: bio-psycho-social factors interact to make us who we are.
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8. REVIEW BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL INFLUENCES
BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES:
Physical appearance; sex; race; age; abilities or disabilities; family history of inheritable conditions such as cancer, alcoholism, schizophrenia, depression, etc.
PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLUENCES:
Intelligence, personality, self-image
SOCIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES:
People (family, peers, significant others), social environment (community, neighborhood), economics, religion
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9. SYSTEMS THEORY A way of looking at individuals and their complex environment; the interactive patterns between people, groups, and institutions
System:
A group of objects within a boundary
Each object has a defined function and structural relationship to the other objects within the system
The objects are engaged in a dynamic process
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10. SYSTEMS solar system clock human body Boundary Defined function
Structural relationship
Dynamic process
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11. BOUNDARIES Separate system from external environment – other systems
Separate subsystems within the system
Separate “personal space” – define individual units which comprise the system
Boundaries may be permeable or impermeable
Closed systems – self-contained; little influence form outside
Open systems – active exchange with external environment
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12. What would happen if Earth were destroyed by a nuclear war?
A CHANGE IN ONE PART OF A SYSTEM AFFECTS ALL PARTS HOMEOSTASIS - DISEQUILIBRIUM - ADAPTATION
What would happen if Earth were destroyed by a nuclear war?
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13. A CHANGE IN ONE PART OF A SYSTEM AFFECTS ALL PARTS HOMEOSTASIS - DISEQUILIBRIUM - ADAPTATION
Earth becomes cosmic dust.
The gravitational balance of the solar system is thrown out of wack.
DISEQUILIBRIUM
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14. Gradually the planets settle into new orbits.
A CHANGE IN ONE PART OF A SYSTEM AFFECTS ALL PARTS HOMEOSTASIS - DISEQUILIBRIUM - ADAPTATION
Gradually the planets settle into new orbits.
A new equilibrium (homeostasis) is achieved.
ADAPTATION
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15. HUMAN SYSTEMS SOCIETY – OUR SOCIAL SYSTEM
The systems perspective portrays society as a smoothly operating network of social institutions.
Each institution performs some function or functions essential to the maintenance of the society.
Our social institutions are interdependent. Each relies on and supports the others.
A change in one social institution will impact the entire society.
EDUCATION
FAMILY
ECONOMY
RELIGION
LEGAL
POLITICS
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16. HUMAN SYSTEMS SOCIETY – OUR SOCIAL SYSTEM
Equifinality refers to the fact that there are many different means to the same ends.
Social institutions take different forms in other societies; perform their essential functions in different ways.
The boundary of our social system is the outer limit of people who live by our social institutions – the American way of life.
EDUCATION
FAMILY
ECONOMY
RELIGION
LEGAL
POLITICS
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17. THE FAMILY AS A SOCIAL SYSTEM THE SMITH FAMILY
FATHER JOHN MOTHER MARY
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18. THE FAMILY AS A SOCIAL SYSTEM
The Smith family:
Father, mother, John, Mary
What are the elements of the Smith family system?
What are the boundaries of the Smith family system?
Nuclear family
Extended family
Each member has a role (essential function)to play
Father: instrumental role (bread winner)
Mother: expressive/affective role (homemaker/nurturer)
Children?
What about Fleazie, the Smith family cat?
In work with families, the relevant system may not be the biological nuclear family. May include other relatives and/or unrelated household members. Family is best defined by the people who live in it.
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19. Parent-child subsystem(s) Change and the Smith family system:
SUBSYSTEMS IN THE SMITH FAMILY Put focus on different aspects of family functioning
Parental unit
Marital unit
Siblings
Parent-child subsystem(s)
Change and the Smith family system:
Change in one part of a system effects all parts
What happens when Mrs. Smith gets a job?
Is the Smith family an open or closed family system?
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20. SYSTEM LEVELS
Microsystems – The smallest unit of analysis – typically the individual.
Mezzo systems – Typically small groups in which individuals are involved – family, friendship groups, work groups.
Macro systems – The largest units of analysis – society, culture, social institutions, communities, organizations
Exosystems – Systems outside the immediate area of analysis which may have an impact on it
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21. Systems/ecological perspective Bio-psycho-social perspective
Person-in-environment
Social work views the individual in the context of his/her surrounding social systems.
Bio-psycho-social perspective
Biological – genetic/physical make-up
Psychological – emotional (affective), intellectual (cognitive), self-image, etc.
Social – interactions with others
Social work views individuals as multi-dimensional systems.
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22. THINK AND SHARE Your family system
What are the elements that make up your family system?
What systems outside of your family system (exo-systems) does your family depend upon?
What systems outside of your family depend upon your family?
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23. USEFUL WEB SITE
Robert Versteeg, MSW of the University of New England Main Geriatrics Gerentology Education Center describes the application of systems theory in work with an elderly client.
devel.une.edu/com/othrdept/int/agingandsocialwork/systems.htm
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