Understanding Systems Theory: Unity, Family, Institutional Systems, and Ecological Models, Slides of Social Work

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SYSTEMS THEORY

incorporating Unitary Approaches, Family Systems, Institutional Systems, Ecological Models and Networking

SYSTEMS THEORY

 What is Systems Theory?  Biological Models  A Case Study  The Pincus and Minahan model  Social Work and Ecology  Strengths and Weaknesses

Another Example

• Excluding your family and blood

relatives, how many friends and

acquaintances do you have?

• Write down the number that

best approximates to your

social system

Further Examples  Examples of simple systems are babysitting circles, allotment societies, “share – the care” schemes  Examples of complex systems are neighbourhoods, families, kinship networks, church / faith groups, peer groups, social communities

SYSTEMS THEORY: Roots  “ Things do not have a meaning in themselves, but only in relation to other things ” (Saying from Eastern philosophy)  Society is “ an organism of functionally interdependent parts evolving through structural differentiation ” (Herbert Spencer: The Study of Sociology)

BIOLOGICAL MODELS  The whole is equal to more than the sum of its parts  Systems are highly organised  Boundaries are very important, as are patterned transactions  The behaviour of the individual cannot be understood without reference to the system to which s/he belongs

Practice Example of Simple Use of Systems Theory – as an Explanatory Framework – School Refusal David refuses to go to school Mum worries about her Health, but cannot discuss. Worries about money problems Parents pleased by D’s help. David feels safe at home Dad guilty Mum unhappy Money focus makes him feel useless Anxiety Attacks – angina gets worse David picks up anxieties. Wants to comfort Mum & cheer up Dad

Reminder – how would other theories

intervene in this case?

1. Psychodynamic – would try to engage

with David’s inner world of feelings

2. Behavioural – identify and try to isolate

those factors positively reinforcing

David’s school refusal

3. Cognitive – what do you think?

4. Systems – as implied earlier – may use

any one of above………BUT would also:

HUMANS AND SYSTEMS  All people depend upon human systems:  INFORMAL : family; friends; neighbourhoods  FORMAL : church; clubs; associations; trade unions  SOCIETAL: school; employer; authorities; state structures (Pincus and Minahan, 1973)

Pincus & Minahan’s 4 basic social work systems System Description Further Information Change Agent System Social workers & the organisations they work in (^) Not just social workers! Client System People, groups, families, communities who seek help & engage with change agents Actual clients have agreed to receive help & have engaged themselves; potential clients are those with whom the sws are trying to engage Target System People whom the change agent system is trying to change to achieve its aims Client and target systems may or may not be the same Action System People with whom the change agent system works to achieve its aims Client, target & action systems may or may not be the same

Linking Systems and Structural Theory  “Community social work demands a systems orientation and a change of attitude from social work about roles and tasks” (Coulshed, 1988)  Working with communities, neighbourhoods and networks: a systems approach to service delivery

Can Systems Theory be Critical?  Systems theory does allow social workers to be critical of – and target for change - considerable ‘issues’ outside the immediate behaviour of the referral; including:  The referrer's immediate environment; their own agency’s policies; other agencies; local & national government policies; social conventions generally

Coates J (2003) Ecology & Social Work Starts from the notion that SW must support sustainable development, through:  Developing caring communities  Identifying & developing activities that benefit ‘the common good’  Promoting active partnerships  Building capacities in individuals & communities  Promoting decentralised & localised decision making - & making it work!  Promoting community health & social resilience  Promoting environmental and social justice  Reducing human & ecological stress – with much use of grief work  Focus on natural methods of healing & spirituality So, it is logical that a radical and critical systems theory would question all the conventional systems within which SW is practiced - and promote alternatives

Strengths & Weaknesses of Systems Approach as a Guide to Practice Strengths  It offers a unitary approach by combining psychological, social and community approaches  It is interactive – it facilitates being able to understand the impact of people on each other, as well the impact of systems on people & other systems  It offers more than one way to tackle an issue – eclectic

• not ‘stuck’ in one preferred approach  It allows for the integration of approaches  It avoids strict determinist accounts of behaviour