Social System Theory.pptx

720 views 8 slides May 02, 2023
Slide 1
Slide 1 of 8
Slide 1
1
Slide 2
2
Slide 3
3
Slide 4
4
Slide 5
5
Slide 6
6
Slide 7
7
Slide 8
8

About This Presentation

Systems theory in social work is based on the idea that behavior is influenced by a variety of factors that work together as a system. These factors include family, friends, social settings, economic class, and the environment at home. The theory posits that these and other factors influence how ind...


Slide Content

Social System Theory

WHAT IS SOCIAL SYSTEM THEORY HISTORY OF GENERAL SYSTEM THEORY ON THIS LESSON, YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT THE SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL SOCIAL WORK APPROACHES INFORMED BY SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORIES STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS OF SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORY

SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORY Systems theory in social work is based on the idea that behavior is influenced by a variety of factors that work together as a system. These factors include family, friends, social settings, economic class, and the environment at home. The theory posits that these and other factors influence how individuals think and act, and therefore examining these social structures to find ways to correct ineffective parts or adapt for missing elements of a given system can positively impact behavior.

General system theory originated in the 1940s in the work of the biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy who initially sought to find a new approach to the study of life or living systems. More broadly, Von Bertalanffy envisioned general system theory as a way to address the increasing complexity of the world's problems. HISTORY OF GENERAL SYSTEM THEORY

2 The socio-ecological model can understand the challenges individuals face at multiple levels of their social ecosystem and develop therapeutic interventions and programs that address these problems. For example, consider the issue of child abuse and neglect. For instance, risk and protective factors will significantly influence child outcomes at each level of the social ecosystem. Therefore, understanding the risk (e.g., poverty, mental illness) and protective factors (e.g., extended solid family bonds, positive school environment) at each level of a family’s ecosystem is critical to treating the child and working with the family. SOCIAL WORK APPROACHES INFORMED BY SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORIES

The Socio-Ecological Development Model The socio-ecological development model is another specific social work practice theory based on systems thinking. This model looks at how multiple systems and levels of the social environments (individual, micro, meso, Exo, and macro-systems) impact individuals’ experiences and behavior. For example, the micro-level is the location of intimate and family relationships, the meso-level is the location of institutions and organizations, and the macro-level is the location of society-wide factors such as culture or laws, all of which shape who we are and how we develop.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS OF SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORY Social learning theory approaches empower practitioners to address challenges at various levels of clients ’al environments. Policy advocacy and community work are essential facets of social practices informed by systems thinking. Practitioners can benefit from the application of systems theory as a lens when viewing multidisciplinary systems and their related problems. It often tends to focus on inclusiveness rather than isolation, and links with all living things on earth. Teaching that compassion for others, therefore, is compassion for oneself. This is an extremely valuable perspective for clients experiencing problems of depression, isolation, anger, and self-worth.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS OF SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORY A weakness in systems theory is that it assumes that any degree of influence at any level has control over the entire system and at any stage can dramatically impact how it fails or continues to thrive. We know that this is not the case since some issues might have a more significant impact than many others. Moreover, circumstances in life can change very quickly, and while something that an individual once deemed irrelevant can quickly have a significant impact. In the implementation of system theory in human and social services, being able to accurately predict so many parameters may not be feasible and is often a point of criticism of many. (Hutchinson & Oltedal, 2014). It is then a question of whether systems theory can accurately encompass the complexities of interactions and inter-relationships which emerge for an individual at any level formally or informally.
Tags