SYSTEMS THEORY FOR WEEK 2-3 Source : sizovai.ucoz.ru/ausland/social_theory/Systems.ppt‎

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

An Example Think of Lincoln’s transport system: if you improve car access, you potentially boost the economy, you satisfy individual demand, but potentially damage the environment and increase risks of accidents; if you switch to public transport, you boost jobs through infrastructural spending, but you lose income from car parking, from passing trade, potentially from tourism…….so any action in one part has a consequence on the whole system Think of Lincoln’s transport system: if you improve car access, you potentially boost the economy, you satisfy individual demand, but potentially damage the environment and increase risks of accidents; if you switch to public transport, you boost jobs through infrastructural spending, but you lose income from car parking, from passing trade, potentially from tourism…….so any action in one part has a consequence on the whole system

SYSTEMS THEORY: A Definition “A Social system is a system of processes of interaction between actors……...it is the structure of the relations between the actors as involved in the interactive process which is essentially the structure of the social system. The system is a network of such relationships” (Talcott Parsons: The Social System) (Talcott Parsons: The Social System)

SYSTEMS THEORY: Roots “Things do not have a meaning in themselves, but only in relation to other things” (Saying from Eastern philosophy) “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) 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 The whole is equal to more than the sum of its parts Systems are highly organised Systems are highly organised Boundaries are very important, as are patterned transactions 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 The behaviour of the individual cannot be understood without reference to the system to which s/he belongs

BIOLOGICAL MODELS (2) Behaviour is best understood as a circular process Behaviour is best understood as a circular process Systems are naturally self - preservationist and conservative Systems are naturally self - preservationist and conservative Systems need energy flow across boundaries to achieve equilibrium Systems need energy flow across boundaries to achieve equilibrium Systems are goal directed Systems are goal directed

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 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 Parents pleased by D’s help. David feels safe at home

Systems Theory Intervention in David’s Case Enquire into the way the actions of each family member impact on the others – see diagram – previous slide Enquire into the way the actions of each family member impact on the others – see diagram – previous slide Encourage parents to go to school regularly to see teachers about David’s progress Encourage parents to go to school regularly to see teachers about David’s progress Enquire about possible bullying at school & the nature of the ant- bullying policies Enquire about possible bullying at school & the nature of the ant- bullying policies Make sure that the health care system is aware of the emotional aspects of D’s father’s health problems Make sure that the health care system is aware of the emotional aspects of D’s father’s health problems Establish whether there were other forms of support available to D’s parents Establish whether there were other forms of support available to D’s parents Ensure the parents were aware of all potential benefits available to them Ensure the parents were aware of all potential benefits available to them In this sense then Systems Theory is making sure that the ‘problem’ is perceived in the round and in an inter-connected manner……..simple good practice – you might think! In this sense then Systems Theory is making sure that the ‘problem’ is perceived in the round and in an inter-connected manner……..simple good practice – you might think!

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

Pincus & Minahan’s 4 basic social work systems SystemDescriptionFurther 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

Noel Timms’ three levels MICRO: reference to interaction and mutuality in personal peer relationships MICRO: reference to interaction and mutuality in personal peer relationships MEZZO: access to resources, often facilitated by central figures, informal leaders MEZZO: access to resources, often facilitated by central figures, informal leaders MACRO: relationship between people and more formal community organisations MACRO: relationship between people and more formal community organisations

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: 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 The referrer's immediate environment; their own agency’s policies; other agencies; local & national government policies; social conventions generally

Strengths & Weaknesses of Systems Approach as a Guide to Practice Strengths It offers a unitary approach by combining psychological, social and community approaches 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 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 offers more than one way to tackle an issue – eclectic – not ‘stuck’ in one preferred approach It allows for the integration of approaches It allows for the integration of approaches It avoids strict determinist accounts of behaviour It avoids strict determinist accounts of behaviour

Weaknesses It is not prescriptive – does not tell us what to do (some might say that’s a strength!) It is not prescriptive – does not tell us what to do (some might say that’s a strength!) It is a generalised theory - hard to apply to specific situations It is a generalised theory - hard to apply to specific situations It points to many connections but does not provide any specific theory that might link them in an explanatory manner It points to many connections but does not provide any specific theory that might link them in an explanatory manner Maybe it includes too much – maybe we need theory that places some emphasis on what is most important Maybe it includes too much – maybe we need theory that places some emphasis on what is most important In many guises it can be quite conservative – creating stable self reliant systems In many guises it can be quite conservative – creating stable self reliant systems Similarly it may overstate the importance of social cohesion and solidarity Similarly it may overstate the importance of social cohesion and solidarity It can have a complex and over technical language – like many other theories! It can have a complex and over technical language – like many other theories!