Systems Theory Paper
Week Four: Systems Theory Paper
Nisselly Rossell, Keri Welborn, Christie Alston, Kristy Monroe, Jennifer Bourne, Melanie Hines
BSHS/312 Models of Helping People
Systems Theory Paper “Those who study systems theory tends to view any system as the result of a dynamic interrelationship between its component parts and its whole. They view the parts as mutually determinate with the whole. Social workers utilizing systems theory view societies and social groups as dynamic systems. They are concerned with bettering the conditions of the individuals who make up such systems.” (Flamand, 2010) Systems theory is used by many social workers. This theory helps social workers understand how the surroundings of the client’s environment determine and are determined by those who make up the environment. Once the social workers are able to acknowledge the dynamics of the system, the social worker will try to figure out a way to create a positive change in the system to bring about a better way of living for that client. Some of the factors that may affect a client’s environment are: family, friends, social policy, and mental health. Systems theory is the same as family therapy. The history of this theory can be traced all the way back to the 1940s and 1950s. However, marriage and family counseling began to really grow in the late 1970s and 1980s. In 1968, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, came up with a theory that said organisms (couples and families) affected one another (Parrott, III, 2003). Parrott, III (2003) stated that, “the focus of the theory of the family is on the interaction of the parts, which influences the system as a whole” (p. 366). In the 1950s, another aspect came to surface when learning how to deal with a family member who has schizophrenia. Many individuals, such as: Jackson, Bateson, Lidz, and Bowen, all focused and observed how families and couples functioned with a schizophrenic member (Parrott, III, 2003). Parrott, III (2003) stated in the text
Nisselly Rossell, Keri Welborn, Christie Alston, Kristy Monroe, Jennifer Bourne, Melanie Hines
BSHS/312 Models of Helping People
Systems Theory Paper “Those who study systems theory tends to view any system as the result of a dynamic interrelationship between its component parts and its whole. They view the parts as mutually determinate with the whole. Social workers utilizing systems theory view societies and social groups as dynamic systems. They are concerned with bettering the conditions of the individuals who make up such systems.” (Flamand, 2010) Systems theory is used by many social workers. This theory helps social workers understand how the surroundings of the client’s environment determine and are determined by those who make up the environment. Once the social workers are able to acknowledge the dynamics of the system, the social worker will try to figure out a way to create a positive change in the system to bring about a better way of living for that client. Some of the factors that may affect a client’s environment are: family, friends, social policy, and mental health. Systems theory is the same as family therapy. The history of this theory can be traced all the way back to the 1940s and 1950s. However, marriage and family counseling began to really grow in the late 1970s and 1980s. In 1968, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, came up with a theory that said organisms (couples and families) affected one another (Parrott, III, 2003). Parrott, III (2003) stated that, “the focus of the theory of the family is on the interaction of the parts, which influences the system as a whole” (p. 366). In the 1950s, another aspect came to surface when learning how to deal with a family member who has schizophrenia. Many individuals, such as: Jackson, Bateson, Lidz, and Bowen, all focused and observed how families and couples functioned with a schizophrenic member (Parrott, III, 2003). Parrott, III (2003) stated in the text
References: Flamand, L. General Systems Theory in Social Work. 2010 Parrott, III, L. (2003). Counseling and Psychotherapy (2nd ed.). : Thompson Learning. PsychologyCampus.com. (2004-2008). Family Systems Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.psychologycampus.com/psychology-counseling/family-systems.html Rothbaum, F., Rosen, K., Ujiie, T., & Uchida, N. (2002). Family systems theory, attachment theory, and culture. Family Process, 41(3), 328-350. Retrieved from MEDLINE with Full Text database. William M., F. (n.d). Family Systems Theory. International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family, 2642-646. Retrieved from Gale: Gale Virtual Reference Library (Power Search) database. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_theory retrieved October 28, 2010. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/systheor.html retrieved October 29, 2010 http://www.ehow.com/about_5422804_general-systems-theory-socialwork.html