Third-Order Change �As a Systems Theory �for Community Psychology

2016 American Psychological Association Presentation

1. Third-Order Change As a Systems Theory for Community Psychology American Psychological Association Christopher Beasley, PhD , MA 2016 Community Engagement Research Team

2. Objects & Environments Relationship between elements 3 rd order change as systems theory Interaction between communities & paradigms in which problems are embedded Systems Theory Von Bertalanffy , 1968

3. Reducing stagnation Anticipation & reaction to changes Changing environment Uncertainty Stereotypes & biases Power disparities Why 3 rd Order Change Bartunek & Moch , 1994

4. Nature of schemas in organizational change Assumptions of cause & effect 1 st Order Schematically Concordant 2 nd Order Schematically Disconcordant 3 rd Order Aschematic Paradigms Orders of Change Watzlawick et al., 1974

5. Change that relies on established paradigms Usually centered on deficits and problems Often a reaction to immediate problems Leave social structures & cultures in place Incremental adjustments to individuals & settings 1 st Order Change Watzlawick, Weakland , & Fisch , 1974

6. Crime People do not have control People must be controlled Greater enforcement/enforcers needed 1 st Order Change Example

7. Advantages Simple & familiar Address known problems in expected ways Limited in scope, thereby fostering efficiency Disadvantages Short-term solutions to symptoms May create problems in other parts of the system Pros & Cons of 1 st Order Change Robinson, Brown, Beasley, & Jason, 2015

8. Change that alters the social context/paradigms Valued in community p sychology Longer-term distal problem focus Often prevention-focused 2 nd Order Change Watzlawick et al., 1974

9. Crime People predisposed to good Maldevelopment leads to antisocial behavior Intervention can insure healthy development Thus reducing crime 2 nd Order Change Example

10. Advantages Alters systems & structural causes of problems. Change objectives, roles, and the general nature of power Can address problematic ideas , structures, & systems Opportunity for more comprehensive & longer-term solutions Potential for creative & innovative solutions to entrenched system-level problems Can reduce stigma toward individuals not functioning well in the system Pros & Cons of 2 nd Order Change Seidman, 1988; Watzlawick et al., 1974

11. Disadvantages M ay not offer immediate relief Often conflicts w/ accepted paradigms S takeholder objections & confusion Limited support Empirical validation Operationalization, goals, & measurement Funding Typically lack manualized guides Complicates implementation, replication, and adaptation Ethical dilemmas Can weaken settings and their autonomy if not participatory New problems may surface with new systems Pros & Cons of 2 nd Order Change Watzlawick et al., 1974

12. Awareness & ability to change schemata Essential shift in the social fabric Alter fundamental culture in which people, systems, & structures are embedded Challenges paradigms & practices , developing culture Continually questioning C onstantly identifying problems & social precipitants Implementing solutions O ngoing process and outcome evaluations O ngoing critique of problems & ecological causes 3 rd Order Change Bartunek & Moch , 1987

13. Crime Human tendencies may not be consistently good or bad Some people may have greater self-control while others may not Causes of crime are multi-faceted and may vary based on context Situation will need to be assessed to develop appropriate means of addressing problem 3 rd Order Change Example

14. Advantages 2 nd order change advantages Setting flexibility Can become more flexible , adaptable, & innovative Autonomy Potentially greater autonomy through internal awareness , problem-solving, and reflexive action Sustainability Autonomy, flexibility, and sustained questions Can identify and address future problems Pros & Cons of 3 rd Order Change Robinson, Brown, Beasley, & Jason, 2015

15. Disadvantages 2 nd order change disadvantages Cognitive dissonance Discomfort expected as paradigms continually questioned Uncertainty May make outcomes less certain Stakeholders may feel uncomfortable May be less attractive to external funding Pros & Cons of 3 rd Order Change Bartunek & Moch , 1994; Robinson , Brown, Beasley, & Jason, 2015

16. Series of 2 nd order changes Use differences in perspectives as a starting point Build informal structures to enable operation from diverse perspectives Expose members to experiences in various cultural settings Diffusion of key stakeholder experiences to others 3 rd Order Organization Change Bartunek & Moch , 1994; Bartunek et al., 1983; Cox, 1991; Mirvis , 1990

17. Community psychology & other fields have not framed community intervention as 3 rd order change C ritical consciousness C an promote questioning of existing structures and schemas Capacity building for self-sustained action & change May broaden perspectives on community problems & solutions May broaden resources available to address problems Reflexivity Opportunity for continual examination of factors Processes of change E merging ecological shifts 3 rd Order Community Change Robinson, Brown, Beasley, & Jason, 2015

18. Critical Consciousness Awareness of problem-related systems , structures, & beliefs Watts ’ stages of sociopolitical development Unaware of system inconsistencies & dysfunction See inconsistencies but feel powerless to change structures Question value of adapting to dysfunctional system Learning more about the system Learning more about what maintains dysfunctions A ct on critical awareness to change the system Building capacity for collective action 3 rd Order Community Change Watts, Griffith, & Abdul- Adil , 1999; Watts, Williams, & Jagers , 2003

19. Critical Consciousness Communities may collectively Gain awareness Process feelings of powerlessness Q uestion importance of adapting L earn about systems constraining them A ct to change systems 3 rd Order Community Change Watts, Griffith, & Abdul- Adil , 1999; Watts, Williams, & Jagers , 2003

20. Grounded Theory Post-modern Interactionist Localized/ c ontexualized Democratized knowledge Situational Analysis Analysis of elements in the situation Relationship b/t elements in the situation Analysis of elements of the social world in which situation is taking place Commitments, views, & actions of elements in social world Positions on discursive issues 3 rd Order Community Change Clarke, 2005

21. Capacity Building Communities that Care (CTC) Developing prevention interventions Providing resources Promoting local stakeholder support & ownership Five-phase process A ssessing community readiness Forming local coalition Conducting needs assessment S electing evidence-based interventions I mplementing & evaluating intervention 3 rd Order Community Change Hawkins & Catalano, 1992

22. Reflexivity Encourage ongoing dialogue Actions , progress, & outcomes P otential need to change structures again If intended outcomes are not achieved If ecology changes such that structure is no longer appropriate Grounded theory w/ situational analysis 3 rd Order Community Change Robinson, Brown, Beasley, & Jason, 2015

23. 3 rd Order Goal Innovative & adaptive systems & structures that are sustainable through self-renewal 3 rd Order Objectives F undamental paradigm shift toward social awareness, evaluation, & action Culture of continual questioning Summary Robinson, Brown, Beasley, & Jason, 2015

24. 3 rd Order Processes Critical consciousness Capacity building Reflexivity 3 rd Order Methods Sociopolitical development Grounded theory w/ situational analysis Capacity building Summary Robinson, Brown, Beasley, & Jason, 2015

25. Development Theory 3 rd order community change 3 rd order community design Logic Model Evaluation Methods Instruments Intervention Evaluation When Best Moving Forward

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