System Theory by Adam Heil, Lecture notes of Social Work

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SPC 330

Systems Theory

By Adam Heil

SPC 330

Introduction

This paper will discuss the General Systems Theory (GST), its history, development as a communication theory and its practical application to the author. The theory itself will be divided into two different categories, the components of a system and the different types of systems that exist in the speech discipline. This paper will briefly explain the evolution of systems theory from being a scientific based theory to its transformation into a communication theory. Many psychologists and family counselors now use systems theory as a basis for study of interpersonal relationships and conflicts within those systems. General Systems Theory allowed scientists and psychotherapy practitioners an in depth look to better analyze and attempt to explain relationships and the holistic viewpoint needed to understand them. Several other theories were developed later on with GST as the basis for these theories. GST has become a cornerstone for the interpersonal communications theories. Finally this paper will explain the benefits of GST in the author’s personal life. Interpersonal communication and family systems are large part of the role in the author’s life. Working with students and parents from all social, economic and religious backgrounds, the systems theory comes heavily into play when attempting to address the various needs and issues that people face in their lives.

History

In the 1930’s a biologist named Ludwig von Bertalanffy presented his systems theory to a philosophy seminar at the University of Chicago. Bertalanffy was a biologist who began the systems theory study in life sciences which eventually developed into the modern field of ecology. Ecology as we know it now is the study of the systems of nature. Bertalanffy believed that nothing could be understood by isolating merely one part of what plays a significant role in a system. In his work “General Systems Theory: Essays On Its Foundation and Development,” Bertalanffy points out what his purpose was with the systems theory. (1) There is a general tendency toward integration in the various sciences, natural and social. (2) Such integration seems to be centered in a general theory of systems. (3) Such theory may be an important means for aiming at exact theory in the nonphysical fields of science. (4) Developing unifying principles running "vertically" through the universe of the individual sciences, this theory brings us nearer the goal of the unity of science. (5) This can lead to a much-needed integration in scientific education. (Von Bertalanffy, 1968, p. 38.)

SPC 330 have had to relocate. The feedback cycle in the Easter Island system was not being received by the inhabitants thus causing the adaptation cycle to fail. When a system doesn’t properly adapt to the changes and feedback from its components it will inevitably fail and fall apart. A good system will seek homeostasis or balance through interchanging with its environment. The way a system interchanges with its environment is through feedback loops that inform the system on how or what to change to maintain the system homeostasis. Exploring the function of a system as well as its components can often times increase awareness of why a system will malfunction. Systems theory takes into consideration all possible sources of the problem and examines each individually and what role they play in the system. A system is best described as a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular. This definition gives a basic understanding of what a general system is. However, Russell Ackoff, a professor of philosophy for the University of Pennsylvania describes a system like this: Each element has an effect on the functioning of the whole. Each element is affected by at least one other element in the system. All possible subgroups of elements also have the first two properties. (Ackoff, 1981, pp. 15-16.) In this definition Ackoff describes the system as Bertalanffy was using it in his systems theory. Understanding a system and how Bertalanffy was referring to it will help generate a greater understanding of the purpose of this theory and why it is so beneficial in the applied and social sciences. The systems theory not only explains systems of natural sciences, but it also helps bring clarity to other systems such as family relationships, organizations and their employees and even help expound on the sometimes complicated system of governments.

Development of Systems Theory

After realizing the benefits of systems theory, psychologists began using this theory in family studies. The area of family studies falls into the discipline of psychology but often times overlaps the theories and studies of interpersonal communication. The study of families as systems was possible because as long as the family system was functioning properly it was in equilibrium. As long as equilibrium was being achieved, then the feedback and adaptation cycles were functioning the way they should; however, when one of these becomes out of balance then that pulls the whole system out of equilibrium and the system shuts down. When this occurs the

SPC 330 systems theory can help accurately explain why this happened by taking a holistic approach and viewing each family member as a key component in the system. As the systems theory began to develop, scholars from various disciplines began cultivating new theories with systems theory as their foundation. Theories involving individuals, relationships, families, organizations and groups all began to emerge with this basis of the systems theory. Family theories were developed by several psychologists who each had their own thought on family system theories or therapy. These theories understood families as a system and attempted to explain how they should be viewed with individual members. According to a scholarly summary on Family Systems Theories by C. Morgaine Ph.D., the family should be viewed as a system with individual members. Each member has an interdependent relationship with each other which builds the very structure of the system. Family systems can be divided into subsystems which are usually comprised of a smaller group of individuals within the family. This subsystem has its own interdependent relationships that define the system itself. As studies show, the systems theory went on to become the basis of many interpersonal communication theories in group organization and individual communication. Systems theory became popular as a communication theory because it is believed that communication helps in defining and sustaining a system. Without communication a system will fall out of homeostasis because the feedback loop or channel is not functioning properly. Communication is the key to keeping an interpersonal system operating at its best. Systems theory plays an important role in communication theories because it helps develop strategies for effective communication, whether they are in individual, group or intercultural communication. In communication we are always communicating to those who are part of at least one system and we are always communicating as someone who is part of at least one system. Once we realize our role in the system and how our decisions and actions affect the rest of these systems we are involved in, we can communicate more effectively. When someone becomes isolated in a system the means in which we can effectively communicate with them is drastically reduced because we are potentially addressing a symptom and not the problem. Using systems theory in communication helps better identify where a problem lies within an individual’s life or within a group or organization. Often times when this theory is not put into practice we can find ourselves chasing ghosts of problems because we never truly identify the

SPC 330 theory helps not only create an awareness of how to look at a problem but also helps in looking at the system that is involved. Systems theory teaches that there is a proper balance that must be maintained in a system to achieve homeostasis. In order for that to be achieved there must be a proper feedback channel and adaptation process in place. If a student is part of a system that the feedback channels aren’t working properly than typically things get out of balance and the student doesn’t know how to adapt to the new environment. One very common system that is broken which students have to deal with is the division of the nuclear family. When parents separate the family system becomes broken. This breaking usually happens due to the feedback channels and adaptation process not working properly. Communication is always the key in keeping these systems functioning properly. When communication breaks down and the system fails kids are typically the ones to become prisoners of war. When a system breaks down in a child’s life there are usually signs that manifest in their life as well. Systems theory allows us to see that there might be more to the problem than what meets the eye. This theory demonstrates that instead of addressing just the problem we need to see what the whole system looks like to gain a better understanding of what we are seeing and why.

On the Job Application

Systems theory has also been used in application to organizational communication. Organizations are systems that have many different members and relationships within those members. All of the relationships within the subsystems of an organization are interdependent on each other and can directly affect the operation of the system. When an organizational system is functioning properly synergy is present. Synergy is the combined effect of a system working together where the combined result is greater or more powerful than that of the individual components. Systems theory allows for this synergy to be generated because of the communication channels that are open in a properly functioning system. When feedback channels are used to effectively measure company progress and then the organization adapts to those suggested changes, homeostasis is achieved in that organization. By utilizing systems theory in organizational communication, I can take a broader look at the organization and see all the components of the system that are involved and also see what part they play in the system. Systems theory helps create an awareness of the system you are involved in and how it can be affected by changing one component of that system. In an organization communication has to be

SPC 330 effective. Systems theory opens up the thought process about the feedback channels and adaptation process. For example, if sales are down and a monthly goal is to increase sales by 5%, simply saying that we need to increase them doesn’t help us. We need to look at the full system and see why sales are down and what component of the system is not functioning properly to cause the drop in numbers. Systems theory brings a holistic viewpoint to the organization and removes the individualistic mindset or island mentality that everyone operates independently of each other. Every relationship in the organizational system is interdependent on one another to keep the system functioning properly and to achieve homeostasis.

Conclusion

Systems theory was developed by a German scientist named Ludwig Von Bertalanffy. This theory was not originally proposed to better communication or increase effectiveness in family studies. In fact this theory was not designed for anything dealing with applied science or psychology. Systems theory was proposed to better understand the systems of the world around us. Ecology as we know it today was derived from systems theory. This theory was applied to better understand food chains, life cycles, and the environment. Through systems theory we can better understand the world around us and explore problems and their causes. Through studying this theory we learn what makes up a system and how they are supposed to function. Systems can be closed or open, but only open systems can really be studied. Open systems are self-adapting through feedback loops and adaptation. Open systems have inputs and outputs; they are not self-sustaining. Open systems can best be represented by the digestive system in the human body. The digestive system has an input which is food entering the body; the output is obviously the excretory function of the body. By the body adapting to this process and to feedback channels it remains healthy and in a state of equilibrium. All systems have components in them that have interdependent relationships in them. Systems are comprised of subsystems which are smaller entities that make up the larger system. Systems theory suggests that when there is a problem with one component in the system that we cannot isolate that component but take a holistic approach and view the whole system to understand what the problem could be. Problems are a sign of a malfunctioning process. When a system fails it is because either a feedback channel is not working or the adaptation cycle is being ignored; both of these are functions of communication.