systems theory essay social work

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Online MSW Programs / Social Work / 6 Important Theories in Social Work / Introduction to Systems Theory

Introduction to systems theory in social work

Assessing an individual’s behavior in relation to the various factors in their life can be a complex process, but social workers can use systems theory to assemble the puzzle pieces. In the context of social work , the application of systems theory allows professionals to look holistically at a client’s conditions and environmental factors to better understand the reasons behind their challenges, hardships, and choices.

Let’s take a deeper look at what systems theory is, how it can be applied to a variety of fields, and how its application to social work is beneficial to both social workers and their clients.

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What is systems theory?

Systems theory is an interdisciplinary study of systems as they relate to one another within a larger, more complex system. The key concept of systems theory, regardless of which discipline it’s being applied to, is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

What this means is that when holistically examining how smaller systems come together to affect the greater complex system, certain characteristics of the whole—the complex system—can not be easily explained or rationalized when looking singularly at any one of its systems—its parts.

Systems theory seeks to explain and develop hypotheses around characteristics that arise within complex systems that seemingly could not arise in any single system within the whole. This is referred to as emergent behavior. If a complex system expresses emergent behavior, that means it has characteristics that its properties do not display on their own.

A simple systems theory example is baking. Consider all the ingredients that make up a cake. If you were to lay them out on your counter and weren’t familiar with baked goods, it would be difficult to envision how the eggs, flour, sugar, etc., could be combined and heated to create a cake. That’s because no single ingredient or environmental factor—in this case, heat—would produce a baked good such as cake. From the perspective of systems theory, the whole—our dessert in this example—is greater than the sum of its parts.

Now, imagine you have just baked an item, and you’re unsure of its ingredients. You taste it and it’s sweet, so you can reasonably hypothesize it includes sugar. But what gives it its other qualities? To find out, you’d need to learn the rest of the ingredients and how they were combined to make the final product.

Now, consider the other factors associated with the baked good. Perhaps, it will be served at a celebration, and two people strike up a conversation and further a bond or relationship while enjoying the dessert together. So now, we have a scheduled celebration, flour, sugar, eggs, etc., and ended with two individuals strengthening their relationship—the result of the unique interaction between all these moving parts.

Within any discipline, the application of systems theory involves looking at how all the ingredients (systems) came together to make the cake (complex system/whole) and how this ultimately gave us the end result that none of these properties could produce on their own without a change to their environment (emergent characteristic).

Some fields are extremely diverse in their applications, like social work.

Here are some of the key terms and concepts of systems theory as they apply to psychology, sociology, and social work:

System: An entity that’s made up of interrelated/interdependent parts.
Complex system: The greater, whole system made up of individual, smaller systems. Generally used in social sciences.
Ecological systems: The various systems in an individual’s life that influence their behavior.
Homeostasis: The state of steady conditions within a system. A system is always moving toward homeostasis.
Adaptation: A system’s tendency to make changes that will protect itself when presented with new environmental factors.
Feedback loop: When the outputs of a system ultimately affect its inputs, causing the system to feed back into itself circularly.

History of systems theory

While the idea of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts is not new, the advancement of systems theory lies in the specifics of where and how it is applied. Social work serves as a prime example of the broadened application of this theory.

Beyond social work, systems theory is often applied within various psychological settings and in the physical sciences, such as chemistry and physics.

Modern use of systems theory came about following WWII and the technological advancements of that time . As humans interacted more and more with new technology, researchers needed a more in-depth understanding of human behavior as it relates to the mechanisms around them—machine or otherwise. This is where signal detection theory came from: out of a need to create more effective radar and sonar systems that would ensure military personnel could distinguish between various signals.

The first call for a general systems theory came from Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s research in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1968, he published “ General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications .” The goal of this book was to outline certain basic laws that can be applied to a wide variety of scientific fields. From his perspective, the cyclical interaction between individual components within a complex system—where each one is both influenced by and causes an effect on the system—can be used to reveal crucial information across various settings. Following this thought process, Bertalanffy reasoned there ought to be universal guidelines or principles that are applied across the sciences and within educational settings to further unify certain fields, specifically the natural and social sciences.

Bertalanffy is considered one of the founders of systems theory as it’s known and applied today. Bertalanffy briefly described systems theory as follows:

“General system theory, therefore, is a general science of wholeness. … The meaning of the somewhat mystical expression, ‘The whole is more than the sum of its parts’ is simply that constitutive characteristics are not explainable from the characteristics of the isolated parts. The characteristics of the complex, therefore, appear as new or emergent.”

— Ludwig von Bertalanffy

Assumptions of systems theory

The main assumption of systems theory is that a complex system is made up of multiple smaller systems, and it is the interactions between these smaller systems that create a complex system.

Systems theory assumes certain underlying concepts and principles can be applied universally in different fields, even if those fields evolved separately. This assumption is a crucial factor in systems theory because it is this reasoning that enables professionals like social workers and psychologists to use systems theory in a way that benefits their clients.

Following that assumption, a general systems theory that provides universal guidelines for scientific research and education will enable further integration and unification of the natural and social sciences. This will yield a better understanding of how these sciences are interrelated and affect our daily lives.

Applications of systems theory

Researchers and other professionals working across various scientific disciplines apply systems theory to extract practical insights. Below are some common examples of careers and fields in which the theory may be used.

Systems psychology is a facet of psychology that examines human behavior and experiences within complex systems. Individuals, communities, populations, and other groups are considered to be systems in homeostasis. For insights into human behavior, systems psychology looks at the greater picture of how these systems and the complex system affect one another.

As an interdisciplinary branch of ecology, systems ecology adopts the holistic approach of systems theory in its examination of ecological systems. It focuses on the interactions between biological and ecological systems.

Engineering

Similar to other fields that incorporate the principles of systems theory, systems engineering takes on an interdisciplinary approach. Systems engineering, when applied in the real world, often looks like a group effort that encompasses all stages of a product or service, from its creation to its use and disposal.

Taking systems theory all the way down to the molecular level, systems chemistry is one example of the universality of certain scientific principles and assumptions. Scientists in this specialty examine the networks of interacting molecules to create functions from sets of molecules with different emergent properties.

These examples show us that systems theory can offer insights from the molecular level all the way up to examining how one’s environment affects behavior and vice versa.

Now that we’ve looked at some of the common applications of systems theory in different fields, let’s dive deeper into how it can be applied to social work.

How does systems theory apply to social work?

A holistic approach to an individual’s personality, choices, and hardships is crucial for effective social work. Like the other fields mentioned, a social worker must look at all factors that come together in a unique way to shape a client’s identity and experiences.

Social workers may employ systems theory to understand problems like child abuse, family conflict, and community dysfunction as they relate to individuals’ personal issues, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, self-harm, or relationship issues. Drawing on systems theory, experts in the field of social work have developed several practices tailored to their discipline. Below are some common examples.

Family systems theory

Developed by Dr. Murray Bowen in 1946, family systems theory views the family unit as a complex system, containing its own systems and feedback loops. He created eight interlocking concepts of family systems for practitioners to examine and improve family functioning.

The Life Model

The life model of social practice work was developed in 1980 by Carel E. Germain and Alex Gitterman, and was influenced strongly by systems theory. The life model was groundbreaking in that it introduced the idea of bringing the ecological perspective to social work—looking at how singular and complex systems interact with each other as these concepts relate to practicing social work.

The Socio-Ecological Model

The socio-ecological model was developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979 . This model looks at the individual as being conditioned by the five systems that create their environment—individual, micro, meso, exo, and macro. These five systems make up an individual’s current state of affairs from their sex and age at the individual level, to the culture they were raised in at the macro level.

Weaknesses of systems theory

One flaw of social systems theory is that it may not always be sufficient to explain an individual’s current circumstances. Examples of this include people who have a severe mental illness that requires unique care or medication. In these cases, a more traditional psychological approach might be used.

Another limitation with social systems theory is that professionals may find it challenging to come up with actionable conclusions based on their findings. Identifying problems is important, but finding solutions to these problems may create difficulty, especially at the cultural and policy levels. Additionally, it may be difficult for social workers to truly understand their clients’ social and cultural upbringing and environment, which may impede progress.

Despite these weaknesses, social systems theory is important to social work and helps practitioners better understand the individuals and populations they serve.

Summary and resources for further learning

Systems theory plays a key role in the advancement of society. Only by looking at all the moving parts can we have a greater understanding of the whole and how it works—a principle that holds true in both physical and social sciences. By applying these broad concepts across disciplines, we can further integrate our understanding of separate phenomena.

As it applies to social science, systems theory is crucial because it looks holistically at the individual to draw insights and use them to take steps forward.

Learn more about Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s research and its significance to systems theory in his work “ General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications .”

For more information on social ecology and the socio-ecological model, read our article “ What is Social Ecology? ” (Also explore our guide to important theories in social work .)

To learn more about Bowen’s family systems theory and its eight interlocking components, visit the Bowen Center website.

For more on Alex Gitterman and Carel B. Germain’s work on the life model of social practice work , check out their book titled “The Life Model of Social Work Practice – Advances in Theory and Practice, third edition.”

If you’re interested in a career in social work, explore online social work degrees or discover the journey to becoming a social worker .

Last updated November 2023

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Home / Social Work Resources / Theories & Practice Models Used in Social Work / Theoretical Approaches in Social Work: Systems Theory

Theoretical approaches in social work: Systems theory

The goal of social work is to empower individuals and communities to overcome challenges and live fulfilling lives. In order to achieve this, social workers may focus on a particular approach or framework.

Systems theory focuses on context rather than a particular issue or individual, which can help to shed light on the interconnectedness of various components within a system. It is based on the premise that addressing systemic issues can lead to improvements in wellbeing.

What is systems theory in social work?

Systems theory posits that behavior is influenced by a variety of factors that work together and form a system. These can include an individual’s familial and social relationships, their environment, economic status, or sexual orientation. Social workers can apply systems theory to uncover how those factors — alone or in combination — influence people’s thoughts and actions.

By observing and analyzing the systems that contribute to a patient’s behavior and welfare, social workers can work to improve those systems according to the individual’s unique situation.

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What issues are addressed by systems theory?

Think of a system as a machine made up of smaller parts. Those parts represent the individual factors that impact a person’s overall wellbeing. Systems theory looks at how each part contributes to the ways an individual functions within society, and how those parts might interact and compound issues. By adopting a complete view of a person’s situation within their environment, social workers have greater context to develop effective interventions.

Some of the issues that can be addressed a systems theory approach to social work include:

School Trauma: According to the School Social Work Association of American (SSWAA) general systems theory, along with theories of human behavior, can help school social workers assist students affected by the complex interrelated factors associated with traumatic issues occurring in the school setting that impact childhood development and educational advancement.
Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Anxiety: The systems theory approach can be helpful for these types of mental health conditions. Family systems therapy in particular has also been shown to help individuals and family members cope with these issues that impact relationship and household dynamics.
Eating Disorders: Research has shown that family behaviors and rituals can contribute to the development of eating disorders . These systems can reinforce disordered eating patterns, however, through family-systems-theory approaches, families can make positive changes that support recovery and remission.
Risky Behaviors: Individuals who exhibit risky behaviors, such as drug abuse and unprotected sex, can work with professionals to come up with safer alternatives. This may be performed in conjunction with other social work theories, which can help patients develop stronger self-esteem, more effective decision-making skills, and increase their social awareness.

Intervention with systems theory

Interventions serve as a strategic plan to guide patients and families toward positive outcomes when handling systemic challenges. Social workers can take one of three general approaches when preparing for an intervention :

Structural approaches: Social workers observe the interactions and behavior patterns within a family or system to identify problematic situations, identify solutions to interrupt them, and come up with different behaviors that can lead to better outcomes.

Strategic approaches: Social workers work with clients to uncover family or individual perceptions that can impact how issues arise and are handled. Over time, problematic interactions can be solved through applied cognitive therapy.

Systemic approaches: Social workers view the system as a whole to discover the rules and ideologies that sustain dysfunctional behavior patterns. By encouraging the family to change its way of thinking, individuals can find more effective support within that system.

Elements in systems theory

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Systems theory allows social workers to tailor their approach to the context surrounding an individual or community’s challenges. While each situation requires different approaches and solutions, there are several key elements involved in implementing systems theory:

In a social system, feedback can reinforce behaviors — both good and bad. By observing feedback loops, social workers can understand the subtle and overt ways in which individuals or groups maintain various systems. This can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions.

Interconnectedness

Systems theory focuses on the connections within a system and how they impact one another. It can highlight the ways in which individuals, groups, and communities interact with and are impacted by one another.

Within any system, some elements will have a stronger impact than others. For instance, parental figures typically hold more power than the children in a family system. Identifying hierarchical relationships within systems helps social workers develop appropriate solutions.

Systems theory case study

Professionals can learn a lot from case studies and their documentation. Case studies provide real-world examples of how interventions can be applied , which gives social workers valuable insights into findings that can help others in similar situations.

Take, for instance, the case of “Jennifer,” a 15-year-old patient who showed signs of depression at school:

Academically excelling and generally a “good kid,” Jennifer’s teachers and guidance counselor noticed that she frequently appeared “down” and rarely happy. She had difficulty relating to many of her classmates and had trouble creating meaningful friendships.

Jennifer shared with her counselor that she often felt rejected by her peers, and wondered what was wrong with her. The counselor worked with Jennifer to identify patterns and life events that may have contributed to Jennifer’s feelings of sadness and anxiety. Jennifer saw her mother as needy, often complaining about her marriage. Jennifer felt sorry for her mother, and was frustrated with having to spend so much time with her. There were blowups. Jennifer’s mother would then cry and leave, her father would then yell at her for disrespecting her mother, then Jennifer would withdraw at school.

Even though her parents were not involved in her counseling, Jennifer was able to make progress. Through the systems theory approach employed by her counselor, Jennifer gained an enhanced perspective around her familial relationships and developed a healthy level of self-awareness and insight.

Case studies like Jennifer’s offer social workers the ability to witness treatment from a holistic perspective. Professionals can gain important insights into different approaches, learn how interrelated systems contribute to individual and group dynamics, and explore treatment outcomes.

Why is social work systems theory important?

Systems theory is important to social work because it allows social workers to take into account the various factors that contribute to an individual’s wellbeing. Everyone is part of a system, including family systems, community systems, and other social systems. With better insight and tools, clients can better overcome the challenges specific to their life and paradigm.

If you’re interested in working in social work, explore online master’s in social work programs to start or advance your career.

Last updated: November 2023

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Social Work and System Theory

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ANTHONY FORDER, Social Work and System Theory, The British Journal of Social Work , Volume 6, Issue 1, 1976, Pages 23–42, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.bjsw.a056695

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The contribution of general system theory to the understanding of social work method in a generic situation is considered. An account of general system theory is given indicating how human systems differ from other systems, taking their place in a larger continuum. The implications of the theory for social work are then examined with special reference to four levels. First there is the philosophical level, the view it presents of man and society, as compared with other psychological and sociological theories. Secondly its contribution to the perspective of social workers, making them aware of the range of systems they should be considering. Thirdly its contribution to practice in providing a model of the structure of systems as a guide to appraisal and intervention. In this connection the model is related to Lippitt's ‘diagnostic orientations’. Fourthly its contribution to the understanding of social work process is examined. In the conclusion it is suggested that it is the contribution to the third level that justifies the expenditure of effort in absorbing the theory.

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Systems Theory and Social Work

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Jan V. Wirth 5 &
Heiko Kleve 6

Part of the book series: Social Work ((SOWO))

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This chapter discusses the theorising of social work in the field of systems theory. In particular, it takes Niklas Luhmann’s biopsychosocial systems theory as the starting point. Luhmann’s transdisciplinary theory has been widely received in the German-speaking world. For social work, which is placed in a relationship of tension between society and the individual, systems theory seems to be well suited, as it can deal with contradictions, paradoxes and ambivalences. In our contribution, we explain the crucial theoretical figures that seem particularly useful for an application in social work. In doing so, social work is linked to the problem of ‘conduct of life’ (in German: Lebensführung). The conduct of life, like social work, is crucially dependent on how it is possible to unfold contradictions and ambivalences and to work with them constructively in an appreciated manner.

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Wirth, J.V., Kleve, H. (2023). Systems Theory and Social Work. In: Hölscher, D., Hugman, R., McAuliffe, D. (eds) Social Work Theory and Ethics. Social Work. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-1015-9_3

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Social Work Theories

Conflict Perspective
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Ecological Theory 2018
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Systems Theory 2018

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Key Theorists

Ludeig von Bertalanffy

Concepts/Overview

General systems theory

· Boundary maintenance, input or output regulation,

· Helping boundaries stay permeable and flexible so system can adapt to changing environment, enhancing

· Interrupting the system is a means of bringing about change

· Focus changed from linear causality to circular causality- the idea that events are related through a series of interacting loops or repeating cycles.

· A system may be in harmony with an environment, such a system may be said to be balanced or homeostatic.

· Key concepts: Set of elements standing in interaction. Each element is affected by whatever happens to any other element.

· System is only as strong as its weakest part. System is greater than sum of its parts. Boundaries are more or less permeable depending on the amount and type of feedback received.

· Systems can be either controlled (cybernetic) or uncontrolled.

· Communication is the exchange of information, while transaction involves the exchange of matter-energy.

Systems Theory (Jan 2018)

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Theories Used in Social Work

Social workers are employed throughout a variety of settings and guide people from all walks of life. Regardless of their context, social workers can leverage some core theories and practice models to help clients throughout the industry.

Common Theories and Practice Models in Social Work

In many ways, social work is a science. Social workers can guide their clients, but they don’t carry out their practice based on their own opinion and/or style. Instead, social workers study specific clinical theories that are grounded in research to inform how they implement clinical practice in a methodological manner. In fact, clinical social workers need to obtain both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in order to fully understand these theories and master therapeutic practice models.

At its core, social work focuses on “person-in-environment” (PIE) theory. This considers clients within their psychosocial contexts, and it connects to micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. This guide explores how each theory and practice model functions within the PIE theory.

Social workers learn about these theories during their education. You can learn more about these academic programs with these resources: a guide to social work bachelor’s degrees , master’s degrees , and online master’s degrees .

Why is Theory Important in Social Work?

As any social work professor can tell you, understanding clinical theories are an essential part of a social worker’s job. It allows social workers to explore certain origins of behavior with evidence-based approaches. Social workers also lean on these theories and practices to address client problems with research to back up their practice. This is especially important, as social workers need to avoid personal assumptions or biases from interfering with effective treatment plans.

Learning about these theories can also help social workers implement effective solutions rather than grasping at straws. If a certain therapeutic approach does not work, social workers can examine the reasons and use what they’ve learned to try a different approach.

Common Social Work Theories

Social workers can incorporate components of several different clinical theories in their work with clients. Some popular approaches for social workers include theories of systems, social learning, psychosocial development, psychodynamic, transpersonal, and rational choice.

Many of these theories have been developed within the past century, and several draw upon Sigmund Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis. Some of these theories encompass a broad outlook (such as systems theory), while others focus on specific conflicts (like psychosocial theory). Not every social worker uses every theory, while some social workers might use elements of each one. You can read more information about the most common social work theories below.

Systems theory assumes that human behavior is the result of a larger system comprised of several elements, including the relationships between these elements, as well as external factors like their environment. These factors could involve a person’s family, peers, school, work, or community. Sociologists have identified many different types of systems, including microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems, and macrosystems.

Social work professionals examine how the systems in which their clients live affect their behaviors. For instance, living in a system of poverty can have a significant impact on how a person makes decisions. Social workers can devise strategies based on these systems in order to provide a more concise treatment plan for their client.

Developed by psychologist Albert Bandura in the 1970s, social learning theory accounts for how the behavior of other people can affect somebody’s behavior. Bandura argued that individuals pick up behaviors by observing and imitating the people around them. Unlike behavioral theories, social learning theory proposes that people actively and mentally process other people’s behaviors before imitating them.

Social workers may take into account social learning theory when working with children who take on aggressive or violent behaviors, for example. The children may mimic their parents or other significant adults in their lives. When social workers are able to identify the origin of a child’s behaviors, they are able to effectively create a treatment approach.

Influenced by the seminal work of Freud, psychologist Erik Erikson proposes several stages of development relating to a person’s ego identity, personal identity, and social and cultural identity. Erikson’s theory argues that humans struggle with specific conflicts throughout different stages of their life. Those conflicts include:

Trust vs. mistrust in infancy
Autonomy vs. shame and doubt in early childhood
Initiative vs. guilt in preschool age
Industry vs. inferiority in school age
Identity vs. role confusion in adolescence
Intimacy vs. isolation in young adulthood
Generativity vs. stagnation in middle adulthood
Ego integrity vs. despair in maturity

Erikson’s theory suggests that if humans effectively navigate these tensions at each stage of their life, they can develop a healthy ego. Social workers may consider these conflicts when working with their clients. It is important to note that each stage correlates with an emotional stage which could also be in conflict with a developmental stage.

Introduced by Freud at the turn of the 20th century — and popularized by Carl Jung, Melanie Klein, and Anna Freud — psychodynamic theory argues that our personalities develop because of various internal forces. Freud wrote that our personalities are largely shaped during our early childhood, and our personality consists of three main parts: id (impulse), ego (decision-making), and superego (conscience). Psychodynamic theory also prioritizes a person’s unconscious thought process as the root of their behaviors.

Social workers may use psychodynamic theory to help clients examine the underlying causes of certain behaviors — often considering the clients’ childhood — to help explain why they act a certain way. Social workers may offer different types of therapies based on psychodynamic theory, including transference and dream analysis.

Transpersonal theory approaches humans with a holistic philosophy, and considers factors like spirituality, the relationship between the body and the mind, and consciousness. Psychologists generally do not consider transpersonal theory to be scientific, but many therapists or mental health professionals integrate elements of transpersonal theory into their practice. They might use meditation, mindfulness practices, or hypnotherapy on their patients.

Rational choice theory argues that people make decisions and carry out behaviors based on their own rational thought processes, especially if those decisions ultimately benefit the individual. This theory directly opposes some other clinical theories that suggest people make decisions on unconscious thought processes.

Although rational choice theory is often found within economic theory, social workers can also apply these principles to their job. To understand why clients make certain decisions, social workers can examine how those clients believed their choices would benefit them. Social workers also can develop solutions and suggest resources to assist clients with achieving their goals.

Common Practice Models in Social Work

While social workers integrate various clinical theories into their practice, they can also implement specific therapeutic models. The theories above may explain the causes of a person’s struggles; however, practice models allow social workers to carry out specific approaches to treat those struggles.

The section below outlines some of the most common practice models, including cognitive behavioral therapy, crisis intervention model, narrative therapy, problem-solving model, solution-focused therapy, and task-centered therapy. Some of these methods overlap or share characteristics with each other, but each serves a purpose for specific clients and circumstances.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) identifies unhealthy patterns of thinking and attempts to rewrite these patterns.

People often convince themselves that their frequently distorted thoughts are true. CBT forces individuals to question and confront these distortions. For instance, somebody might find themselves in fear of social situations, because they imagine a worst-case scenario that they will humiliate themselves. CBT pushes that person to examine these assumptions and instead consider new scenarios and outlooks.

People who struggle with anxiety and depression often find CBT helpful, and many clinical social workers incorporate CBT into their therapeutic practice.

Crisis intervention model is much what it sounds like: in times of acute psychological strain or distress, social workers and mental health professionals intervene before that crisis turns into harm. Albert Roberts and Allen Ottens propose seven steps to crisis intervention. These include conducting a safety assessment, establishing psychological contact, identifying the major problems, helping the patient explore their feelings, looking for new coping mechanisms, creating an action plan, and planning follow-ups.

Social workers can use the crisis intervention model for clients suffering from major trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, or suicidal thoughts, among others. This model of crisis intervention works in a voluntary manner, which means that clients must be open to the process.

Narrative therapy is based on the theory that individuals turn their personal experiences into stories. In other words, they create narratives of their own lives. This type of therapy relies on four major principles: “objective truth” does not exist; reality is a social construct; language can influence how we view reality; and narratives help us organize our personal realities.

Narrative therapy encourages clients to distance themselves from their personal experiences by taking on the role of a narrator and rewriting the script. This can help them change harmful and disruptive thinking patterns, especially those shaped by trauma.

Helen Harris Perlman proposed the problem-solving model in the 1950s specifically for the field of social work. At the time, many social work theories and therapies relied on psychotherapy; Perlman instead argued that social workers could more effectively help clients by focusing on one problem at a time.

Focusing on smaller problems allows clients to develop and follow through with action plans to confront those issues in a manageable way. This method — also called “partializing” — would make therapies more manageable for social workers and clients alike, and professionals still use Perlman’s proposals.

Solution-focused therapy, or solution focused brief therapy, concentrates on an individual’s present and future situations. This therapy involves a departure from psychodynamic-influenced theories that focus on a person’s past and childhood.

Solution-focused therapy proposes immediate, manageable solutions that allow patients to better cope with their problems. A mental health professional or social worker employing this type of therapy might challenge a client to imagine their future life without their problem, or they might help individuals recognize and better harness copy mechanisms that they already use. Social workers might implement solution-focused therapy for adolescents with behavioral problems or families with conflicts, to name a couple of examples.

Task-centered practice shares many principles with the problem-solving model and solution-focused therapy, but it tends to follow an even more focused and quick approach. Task-centered practice usually only lasts 8-12 sessions, and clients concentrate on achieving measurable goals. Clients and social workers create action plans with specific tasks, and then clients carry out those tasks.

Social workers can integrate this type of therapy into many different types of settings. They might work with students with disruptive behavioral issues, soon-to-be-discharged hospital patients, or older clients at nursing homes.

Reviewed by:

Melissa Russiano, LCSW, LISW

Melissa Russiano is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice that has organically developed into a specialty working with helping professionals. Russiano has a proven track record helping professionals avoid burnout in a unique way that holds clinicians accountable through laughter, tears, blunt (yet very supportive) feedback and quirky analogies that are grounded in solid theoretical research. Russiano practices solely in a virtual setting in the states of California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Additionally, Russiano is a professor imparting her experiences and knowledge in the field to future social workers in a graduate program through Simmons University online.

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ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS THEORY IN SOCIAL WORK

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Social Work Theory, Essay Example

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Systems Theory

Systems theory is one that emphasizes the view that the society is one large system made up of several sub systems. These sub systems are united by one purpose and all work together to make the whole. It is concerned with boundaries, roles and the flow of information between individuals (Stein, 1974). This theory attempts to explain the behavior of human beings by analyzing the interacting components as well as the rules that govern such interaction (Andreae, 2011). Systems theory underlines the fact that the parts or the sub systems make up the whole, and one needs to analyze the contribution of the parts to understand the whole.

An example of a system in society is the family. It is made up of individual members who are brought together by relations. A nuclear family such as that of Marie has two parents, and children who are brought up together by virtue of the marriage between Anna and Werner. The individuals within the family play specific roles which are guided by rules (Andreae, 2011). Marie’s mother for example takes care of the children as demonstrated by her efforts of working as a brick cleaner in Berlin and using food stamps to obtain cheese and milk for them as well as dropping them at the day care center every morning. This kind of dedication indicates contribution towards the general success of the whole unit.

The family is also made up of other subsystems which include spousal relations and roles, parent to child, and sibling systems. An example of a spousal system can be seen between Marie and her husband. His inability to get a job in Canada makes them decide to move to the states and her German upbringing influences their choice of residence in New Jersey. Marie also has a close relationship with her younger sibling since their childhood when they went to day care together.

According to the systems theory, the members of the family system must coexist in a given environment which is prone to change from time to time. Andreae (2011) observes that the changes that occur to one member of the family lead to changes in other parts of the system and may at several times affect all or some of the constituents of the family system. The death of her biological father results in her mother being their provider during the war period. She later remarries and Marie and her siblings have to adapt to living with their step father. She even stays behind in Germany to complete her college education on his advice before following them to Canada.

Ritzer and Goodman (2004) also observe that in a system, the actions of the whole are influenced by those of the individuals components. When Marie’s husband cannot find a job in Canada, it is her step father who comes to their aid by sharing information about a business up for sale in the United States. Through his individual action, he ends up initiating the immigration of her family from Edmonton to New Jersey where they intend to start a new life.

Systems theory also views the family as an open system which freely shares information with outside sources. The decisions of the family are influenced by its immediate environment as noted by Andreae (2011). On her family’s return to Berlin, they find their former apartment occupied by two other families whose houses had been destroyed by the bombings. The whole city is facing a shortage of housing units for its residents. Their street having been spared the destruction during the war, attracts people from other parts of the city and they are forced to share their small apartment with these other families. In this case, Marie’s family has to transform from the formerly simple system of one family, to a larger system. This system pulls up three families; each as a major constituent of the main system. It then moves to the individual members who make up the three subsystems as they all have to live together and coexist.

The application of the systems theory has various limitations in societal analysis. The limitations of applying the systems theory in looking at the case of Marie can be noted in its over emphasis on the system at the expense of the individual. For example, Anna had to put her children in day care due to the fact that most schools had been destroyed in the war. However it ignores other individual factors that may have led to this decision. She was clearly over burdened at that point and part of this burden was brought about by the death of her husband. This may have contributed to her choice of having some of her children in a catholic run day care center and one of them in school.

Feminist Theory

Feminist theories are usually concerned with establishing the subject matter of women. Most of feminist oriented theories focused on what can be referred to as the dehumanization of women in society. They are concerned with deconstructing the power relations in society that have contributed to women’s oppression by men. The differences between men and women are merely structural creations of society and therefore the main focus of the feminist theory is to reassert the position of women as being equal to men in society. In some extreme cases it seeks to destroy patriarchy in totality and suggests a new female based power system (Rich, 2007) .

Feminist theories show the struggles of women under oppression in a society dominated by men. Feminism is therefore women’s struggles that are devoid of class differences in society. Marie’s family suffers in the wake of bombings in their city which forces them to flee as a result of dwindling food rations. Her mother moves with them to her aunt who has enough supplies. Another military invasion forces them to flee from her aunt’s estate. Their suffering can be attributed to the actions of a military force that was dominantly male both in structure, leadership, and in thinking.

The family is conceptualized as a system of power relations that puts women subordinate to men in decision making. The creation of the family structure is such that women take a more silent role and are rarely visible (Andersen & Taylor, 2008). Her family migrates to New Jersey so that her husband may get himself some employment. This action is initiated from a call from her step father about a business that is up for sale. Throughout this episode, the women are painted as willing tag along to the whole plot.

Additionally, it points out that women are equal to many in performance of any task that society should place on them. This theory calls for the liberation of women through their own concious awareness of their abilities (Rich, 2007). The women in Marie’s life take charge of the situation in many instances to play roles that would otherwise be played by their husbands. Her aunt takes them in when the food stocks in Berlin run low. When her father passes away, her mother takes up a job as a brick cleaner in Berlin to provide for the family, stepping up into a job and a role that the society should perceive as a man’s.

Feminism also draws heavily on Marxism to state that “the personal is political” (Rich, 2007). This is used to mean that the personals problems that women face are not of their own making but are as a result of the general structure of society. Marie has to stay back in Germany for a whole year when her family migrates to Canada.It is not because she would wish to stay away from her family, but the education system dictates that she stays in Germany for that extra year before she graduates. She is a good show of the female effort and sacrifice for a better achievement in the family in the future.

The feminist theory is also characterized by various shortfalls. This theory has a limitation in analyzing her case because of its assertion that patriarchy is the source of problems for women and it should therefore be abolished as stated by Rich, (2007). Marie stays behind to pursue her education on the advice of their family patriarch which is to her benefit and to the benefit of the family. Later on, she moves to join her family at New Jersey. This movement takes place so that the husband may be able to get a job. She also benefits by being closer to her parents and to own a business. Patriachy may generate some problems in the society. Nonetheless, the feminist theory should not wholesomely view male dominance as the major limitation to female success as it also contributes to their triumph at other times.

Conflict Theory

The conflict theory of analyzing the society bases its concepts on a relationship between the scarcity of resources and the consequent outcome of competition for the same. Conflict theory is built on the premise that groups and individuals will always compete for the scarce resources that are available. As humans interact, they look out for the best of their interests. Competition leads to conflict which acts as a catalyst for change in society. Access to more resources gives more power to the group that controls the resources while the less powerful groups find themselves under the control of those controlling resources. The resource ownership structure leads to class struggles between the haves and the have-nots (Chibucos, Leite, & Weis, 2005).

The family structure in society inherently breeds conflict. The power structure is such that the men wield more power than women and children wield the least power. The individual interests are therefore prioritized in such a way that those with lesser power are subordinated to those with more power (Ritzer & Goodman, 2004). The decision to move her family from Edmonton to New Jersey is primarily driven by the need to satisfy the needs of her husband who heads the family. With the backing of Marie’s father, they both wield enough power to convince the rest of the family to buy into their decisions.

Class struggles emerge between the owners of capital and the owners of labor. The laborer’s feel exploited by the capitalists who pay them below the actual value for which they provide services. The working class feels disempowered and lives on a low budget which keeps them going back to work so that they can afford to provide for their families (Ritzer & Goodman, 2004). Marie’s family experiences the consequences of this class struggle. Her mother takes up work as brick cleaner when they return to Berlin but she is forced to supplement her income with food stamps for milk, and cheese. Despite her resolve to wake up everyday and work, her earnings are so low that she has to postpone enrolling her daughter in 1 st grade and instead put her in a day care center with her younger brother.

One of the concepts of conflict theory is that competition is inevitable in society. Chibucos et. al (2005), argue that the result of this is a win-lose situation. Family arrangements are therefore an aggregate of negotiations in which some of the members have to cede ground for the family to move forward. The forces that determine these may be salient or explicitly expressed. On their return to Berlin, her family finds their apartment being occupied by other families whose houses had been destroyed. Her mother agrees to share her small apartment with them and in the process she gets to secure accommodation for her family in a city where getting one is an uphill task.

Just like the rest, the conflict theory also has limitations in this analysis. The argument that competition in a family always leads to a win-lose outcome limits the use of this theory in analysing Marie’s case. For example when she moves her family from, Edmonton to New Jersey, it is easy to point out that this is pushed through by her husband for his own best interests. He gets to own a business, thereby becoming employed; which was not possible for him in Canada. On the other hand, she gets to choose where they live which is predominantly German. She also gets to be closer to her parents who had moved to the United States. The whole situation is neve a simple win-lose outcome.

Implications for Social Work Practice

This case helps to provide the author with a better understanding of the relationship between the general outlook of families and the individual members. Through the systems theory, it demonstrates that to understand the family unit, it is vital to give a hearing chance to the individual members too. It is of importance to me as a social worker to pay more attention to changes in individuals within the family to be able to understand how it affects the rest of the family members with whom they work.

It is worth noting that this case also brings to the fore the driving force among group relations. As a social worker, an understanding of the nature of competition among groups and individuals is significant as it informs how one can effectively mediate in case of conflicts. While some clients may resign to their fate as victims of oppression, a level of conflict helps to even the grievances through negotiations and concessions between competing groups.

Andersen, M. L., & Taylor, H. F. (2008). Sociology; Understanding a Diverse Society (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning.

Andreae, D. (2011). General Systems Theory: Contributions to Social Work Theory and Practice. In F. J. Turner (Ed.), Social Work Treatment: Interlocking Theoretical Approaches (5th ed., pp. 242 -254). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Chibucos, T. R., Leite, R. W., & Weis, D. L. (Eds.). (2005). Readings in Family Theory. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Rich, J. (2007). An Introduction to Modern Feminist Theory. (M. Addis, Ed.) Penrith: Humanities-Ebooks.

Ritzer, G., & Goodman, D. J. (2004). Sociological Theory (6th ed.). Boston: Mc Graw Hill.

Stein, I. (1974). Systems Theory, Sience, and Social Work. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press.

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Introduction

Social work is a field that revolves around helping others. It is an eclectic practice and to those not familiar, a field that can be hard to distinguish from any other philanthropy. To separate itself from other areas of altruism, social work relies on theories to guide practice. Many theories are involved in making social work the profession it is today, but one particular theory was developed to help focus on individuals and the effects of his or her surroundings. This theory is known as the ecological systems theory.

Theorist Behind Ecological Systems Theory & Context

The mind behind the ecological systems theory was Urie Bronfenbrenner. Bronfenbrenner, a developmental psychologist with a history of teaching in the department of Human Development at Cornell University, was determined to make child development a much more understandable subject so as to influence policymakers and inspire other child psychologists (Shelton, 2018). According to Rosa & Tudge (2013), Bronfenbrenner designed the ecological systems theory as a way to advance research in child development as well as to aid in the creation of policies for children’s welfare. Shelton (2018) states Bronfenbrenner felt children were not adequately understood, and further development of research was necessary to guide effective practice. Bronfenbrenner did not think the then-current practice with children was realistic and wanted to develop a more practical approach to development in a child (Rosa & Tudge, 2013). His main concern was focusing on outlying factors in a child’s life such as the family of the child or the neighborhood the child lived in (Rosa & Tudge, 2013). Shelton (2018) pointed out Bronfenbrenner’s childhood as a main contributor to his desire for an ecological approach to assessment. Bronfenbrenner’s theory plays a pivotal role in emphasizing the uniqueness of each individual as his or her environment is explored.

Tenets of the Theory

Microsystem.

The ecological systems theory unwraps many layers of outlying factors that affect individuals. Shelton (2018) emphasized Bronfenbrenner’s use of “system” in each of his tenets because in order for one unit to work effectively, it must have other factors that influence its process. Bronfenbrenner’s theory starts with an individual as the focal point of study. The immediate environment that has a direct relationship with the individual is called the microsystem (Neal & Neal, 2013). For example, if a child were to be the primary individual, a unit that could be considered in the microsystem would be the mother of the child. This is because the mother and the child will interact with each other, creating a direct relationship. The microsystem is an important aspect to understanding the immediate environment. Each of these microsystems in the individual’s life has his or her own microsystem, and according to Bronfenbrenner’s theory, some of those microsystems can intertwine. These connections between microsystems bring life to the mesosystem (Shelton, 2018).

The mesosystem, as defined by Rosa & Tudge (2013) is the interaction between an individual’s microsystems. A good example in terms of child development would be through a child in a school system. A child has a direct connection with a teacher as well as his mother; these demonstrate the microsystems of the child. However, if there were a parent-teacher conference, the interaction and connection between the mother and the teacher would demonstrate the mesosystem. Shelton (2018) explains this idea well in stating that each individual has only a singular mesosystem that connects every primary interaction of the individual. According to Shelton (2018), these connections play part in helping thoughts develop by acknowledging the different themes that each microsystem presents. While the mesosystem initiates the direct influence of connections among microsystems, it is also important to understand that some microsystems have connections that are not directly linked to the focal individual. The exosystem was designed to understand the outside connections to the individual.

Bronfenbrenner (1994, as cited in Shelton, 2018) defines the exosystem as:

The linkages and processes taking place between two or more settings, at least one of which does not contain the developing person, but in which events occur that indirectly influence processes within the immediate setting in which the developing person lives. (p. 91)

To summarize this statement, one could say that someone that has no direct interaction with the individual could still play a role in the development of that individual. To explain this, the use of a child in a school system executes nicely. If the child were to exhibit behaviors of a learning disorder, the teacher may refer to the special education teacher for advice on how to effectively combat these behaviors. While the child does have a direct interaction with the teacher, he does not have a direct connection to the special education teacher; but because of the influence of the special education teacher on the interaction between the child and teacher, the special education teacher becomes an exosystem of the child’s development. The exosystem is an ever-evolving part of the ecological systems theory, as a connection can be made with the exosystem, thus causing it to become a microsystem with the developing individual (Shelton, 2018).

Macrosystem

The system that works apart from all other systems is known as the macrosystem (Shelton, 2018). Rosa & Tudge (2013) state that the macrosystem plays part on how institutions and culture affect an individual at the focal level. Bronfenbrenner (1977b as cited in Rosa & Tudge, 2013) states the macro system plays largely in part to the effects of every level of development. A study by Nesdale & Naito (2015 as cited by Lee, 2011) shows that culture can play a large role in the way an individual’s development is affected. This study showed that a more collectivist culture such as the one in Japan had a significant effect on bullying of individuals (Nesdale & Naito as cited by Lee, 2011). Because the culture plays on a much higher level than the individual, but still has an effect on the development of an individual, this culture is considered the macrosystem. The macrosystem can also be applied to the school example that has been used in previous systems. If a school system creates a policy that changes the dynamic of the child’s learning, such as a policy that allows a child to join a special education class only if he or she meets the requirements for a learning disability, this can affect the effectiveness of a child’s learning in a school system. The school’s policy had no direct interaction with any system in the individual’s life, but still played a role in his learning. This institutional interaction demonstrates the macrosystem.

Macrochronological System

The macrochronological system, or chronosystem refers to the changes that can happen throughout any system in an individual’s life (Shelton, 2018). The macrochronological system is always at play, and refers to any change that happens over time, whether that change is fast or slow (Shelton, 2018). These changes can happen at any level. For example, if a child’s mother grows ill and over time her condition worsens, the child may have to become a caretaker for his mother. This is change that happened over a period of time, and as time changed, so did the environment that surrounded the child.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Theory

The ecological systems theory has several strengths that help guide social work practice. The first being its ability to understand change in human nature. The entire theory was developed because Bronfenbrenner was angry at the way children were portrayed through development (Rosa & Tudge, 2013). By creating this theory, Bronfenbrenner strengthened the ability to focus on the ever changing client. Another strength, as reported by Darling (2011) is the continuous development of the theory throughout the years. New findings within this theory are constantly being produced and growing as the cultures grow and change (Darling, 2011). Rosa & Tudge’s (2013) article covered the three phases of change that Bronfenbrenner’s theory went through up until 2006. Another strength that can be recognized is the uniqueness of the theory to every individual. Darling (2011) noted that Bronfenbrenner recognized that each culture and environment will pose a different effect on each person as they develop. In social work, it is a primary guiding principle to individualize the client ( Sheafor & Horejsi, 2012 ). Sheafor & Horejsi (2012) stated that social workers should strive to understand where the client is in development, and Bronfenbrenner focused on that exact point. His macrochronological system supports all of these claims, as it takes into account the change that is possible in an individual’s life and how it can affect his or her development (Shelton, 2018).

While it is so important to recognize the strength in this ever-changing theory, it is also important to understand that developing theories have their weaknesses. Because this theory has changed so many times, it can create a disruption in research by researchers not using the up to date methods of the theory (Tudge et al., 2016). Researchers also fail to appropriately use the theory in terms of development (Tudge et al., 2016). Tudge et al. (2016) stated that there are instances when the researcher will intentionally use the older theories, but many times authors will not state that they are using the out of date methods and it can skew the effectiveness of their research. Another weakness that could be found involved the individualization of the ecological systems theory. Lee (2011) stated in his article that a limitation to his research of bullying among middle school students was the uniqueness of each individual’s systems. He stated that because everyone’s microsystems and mesosystems were different, it made accuracy of the research difficult (Lee, 2011). While this is a good theory to use when understanding the individual and his or her surroundings, it makes sense that it can be difficult to apply to many variants of research.

Usefulness in Practice

While Urie Bronfenbrenner was not a social worker, his genius promoted so much growth for the field. The ecological systems theory allows for the design of many other models in the field of social work. Neal & Neal (2013) state that by using the ecological systems theory, you can network the activity of individual’s development. Eco-maps play an important role in the development of bio psychosocial assessments, and the ecological systems theory creates a base for designing that eco-map (Neal & Neal, 2013). Langer & Lietz (2015) states the ecological systems theory provides a more holistic approach to social work. It is important to look at the person-in-environment when practicing, and Bronfenbrenner’s theory does exactly that (Langer & Lietz, 2015). By using this theory, Langer & Lietz (2015) mention, social workers can uphold the dignity of individuals by understanding the environment that surrounds them and the factors that influence their development. The National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics (2008) states in the preamble, “Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.” This statement holds a lot of strength and adds value to Bronfenbrenner’s theory. The Code of Ethics (2008) also holds a core value of the importance of human relationships. The ecological systems theory was developed in order to connect an individual to the environment that surrounds him or her, and this speaks to the core value. Because of the connection of systems, social workers can visualize the relationships that individuals uphold, and recognize the roles that each system plays. The Code of Ethics (2008) is a guide for social workers, and by utilizing the ecological systems theory to individualize the client, social workers can uphold the standards that are set by the National Association of Social Workers.

Implications for Policy Development

Because Bronfenbrenner’s theory focuses on children’s development, it can be beneficial to utilize his theory in the formation of policies in education systems. Cross (2017) states that increasing an individual’s microsystems by creating relationships among peers in the classroom can greatly affect developmental outcomes in the individual. Cross (2017) suggests that a way to increase these interactions and develop new relationships would be to have a curriculum that encourages group involvement. Lee (2011) believes that by using the ecological systems theory, one can identify the motives behind bullying in a school setting. He did state his limitation of the uniqueness the theory provides, but does believe that it is important to compare surroundings of those who bully to see if any similarities exist (Lee, 2011). By using the theory to understand the similarities, policies can be designed around preventing the similarities in the systems of bullies in a school setting. For example, if research shows a pattern of a child coming from a home with a parent that has an addiction, neurological disorder, or overall dysfunction, the school can work to develop a policy to provide counseling to these children. Homework policies could also be affected by looking at a child’s surrounding environment. If multiple children come from low-income households and have to contribute to family functioning, it can be hard for a child to dedicate time to work outside of class. By observing the child’s systems, an understanding of this can be reached. School policymakers can develop a policy that reduces the amount of homework to just finishing what was not completed in class. This, in turn, could create a more positive experience for the child and produce better overall work for him or her in the school system.

Reflection and Conclusion

After looking further into this theory, I have a much better understanding of why this theory is mentioned so often in so many different areas of social work. I learned that by understanding the multiple systems that affect an individual, social work can be defined, and policies can be brought about. The most interesting part of this research was this theory’s influence policy-making decisions. My initial belief of this theory was that it was for those in helping professions to understand the different aspects of peoples’ lives and how it affected their behavior, but when going deeper into understanding the theory, I see that it is so much more.

Bronfenbrenner dedicated much of his life to developing a theory that helped many people understand how individuals develop and why people behave the way that they do. He spent time and effort developing each system that can affect someone’s environment. The theory can be applied to many aspects of human development and social work. The uniqueness that the theory applies to individuals can be both positive and negative as it emphasizes the importance of human relationships but it can affect research by micro and mesosystems not accurately reflecting an individual’s behavior. This theory was created to help many fields of study, however it seems that this theory was created exclusively for the field of social work. Bronfenbrenner emphasized much of what the Code of Ethics stands for, and his theory creates the separation that was needed for the field of social work to gain the respect that it rightfully deserves.

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Essay: Ecological systems theory

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Introduction

Theorist Behind Ecological Systems Theory & Context

Tenets of the Theory

Macrosystem

Macrochronological System

Strengths and Weaknesses of Theory

Usefulness in Practice

Implications for Policy Development

Reflection and Conclusion

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