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3.2: Systems Theory- Person in Environment/Ecological Perspective

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    Systems Theory

    Micro Macro Mezzo Diagram Systems Theory is an interdisciplinary study of complex systems. It focuses on the dynamics and interactions of people in their environments (Ashman, 2013). The Systems Theory is valuable to the human services profession because it assists us with identifying, defining, and addressing problems within social systems.

    We utilize the Systems Theory to help us understand the relationships between individuals, families, and organizations within our society. Systems theory helps us to identify how a system functions and how the negative impacts of a system can affect a person, family, organization, and society, by working together to cause a positive impact within that system (Flamand, 2017).

    To understand the importance of Systems Theory, consider the following case study.

    Imagine that you are working with a client who tells you she is struggling with depression. She shares that she constantly worries about her children being killed, to the point that she will not let them sit in the family room in the front of their house for fear that they will be hit by a bullet coming through the walls. She never lets them play outside, and she is considering home schooling because she does not trust they will be safe at school. She tells you she hasn't slept for weeks, and she doesn't think anything will eliminate her fears.

    Your first thought about your client might be that she could benefit from mental health treatment, perhaps some medication for anxiety or severe paranoia. However, deciding how to respond to this client is not just about observing her words and behaviors. We must also look at the context, particularly her experiences in her environment. If you discovered this client lives in a wealthy, safe, gated community where no crimes have occurred in decades, then a focus on mental health treatment might be appropriate. However, what if you discovered the client lives in a dangerous, high-crime neighborhood, where drive-by shootings are a daily occurrence? What if you found out that her neighbor's son had been killed by a stray bullet coming through the walls of their front living room? What about her economic situation and ability (or lack thereof) to move? What about her relationship or past experiences with local law enforcement? What about the connections between her children and their school? When considering all of these environmental factors, suddenly her thinking and behaviors do not seem paranoid or bizarre; instead, they suggest she is quite logically responding to and adapting to her environment. This is why systems theory is so important!

    Ecological Systems Theory: Person-In-Environment (PIE)

    The Ecological Systems Theory was created in the late 1970’s by Urie Bronfenbrenner. The main concept behind the ecological approach is “person in environment” (P.I.E) which emphasizes the importance of environmental factors and social influences in shaping development and behavior. Bronfenbrenner suggested that more nurturing and encouraging environments led to better outcomes. As helping professionals, we work to improve a person’s environment by helping them identify what is negatively impacting their environment.

    According to Kondrat (2015):

    This perspective is based on the notion that an individual and his or her behavior cannot be understood adequately without consideration of the various aspects of that individual’s environment (social, political, familial, temporal, spiritual, economic, and physical). A person-in-environment perspective is said to provide a more adequate framework for assessing an individual and his or her presenting problem and strengths than an approach that focuses solely on changing an individual’s behavior or psyche, or one that focuses solely on environmental conditions. This perspective is also thought to increase the range of interventions available to the practitioner—with the options to intervene directly with the individual or into aspects of the environment or both. The person-in-environment perspective has been accepted by the profession as uniquely defining and differentiating social work from related professions/disciplines, such as psychology (more person centered) and sociology (more structurally oriented). In terms of its epistemological status, the concept “person in environment” is variously described as a perspective or a framework. As such, it is said to help the practitioner organize observations, planning, and intervention strategy.

    Five Ecological Systems in Bronfenbrenner’s Model

    Bronfenbrenner's theory is organized into a series of five nested systems or levels. The five main elements of Bronfenbrenner’s theory are the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem.

    Bronfenbrenner's Model Diagram

    Figure Three: Ecological Systems Theory shows how the individual is influenced by different systems, from the microsystem to the chronosystem.

    1. Microsystem

    The microsystem is the innermost level, made up of an individual's immediate environment. It includes the people the person interacts with daily, including their family members, friends, classmates, teachers, and others.

    The microsystem has the most direct, immediate impact on the individual.

    The relationships and interactions within the microsystem are also bidirectional; people are influenced by their close contacts, but they also affect the people and environments around them. Because of these relationships' close, direct nature, they have a powerful effect on shaping an individual’s development and behavior. A proposed update to Bronfenbrenner's theory suggests two types of microsystems: physical and virtual. Given the importance of digital influences on people today, it is essential to recognize how virtual environments may influence development and behavior.

    To summarize, the microsystem accounts for the experiences that directly involve and affect the individual and shape their behavior, learning, values, and beliefs.

    2. Mesosystem

    The mesosystem is the next level of the model, comprised of all the relationships and interactions between the microsystems. Examples of mesosystems in a child’s life include the interactions between their family and school or between their friends and family.

    • Like the microsystem, the mesosystem has a direct effect on the individual.

    The different microsystems are connected at this level. This means that changes in one microsystem can then impact other microsystems. In other words, how these elements interact can influence development and behavior. For example, a child's family and school interaction can impact learning and academic performance.

    3. Exosystem

    The exosystem refers to environments in which the individual is not an active participant but still impacts development and behavior. This level encompasses the social context in which a person lives and other aspects of the environment, including government policies, social services, community resources, and mass media.

    • The individual does not have direct contact with these influences, but they still shape how the individual develops and behaves.

    For example, government policies and community resources impact access to healthcare, quality childcare, and education.

    4. Macrosystem

    The macrosystem involves the broader society and cultural forces that contribute to individual development. Important components of this level of Bronfenbrenner's theory include values, social norms, customs, traditions, ideology, and cultural beliefs.

    These cultural beliefs are often shared by groups of people with a similar history or identity. Such beliefs can also shift over time. Such beliefs can also vary based on geographic location and socioeconomic status.

    5. Chronosystem

    The chronosystem is the outermost level of the model, accounting for the role that time plays in influencing individual development. This includes personal experiences that occur over the course of life, the various life transitions that people experience, historical events, and societal changes.

    Challenges and transitions that can affect development, including the birth of siblings, moving to a new place, parental divorce, and the death of family members, can affect the family's dynamic or structure.

    Bronfenbrenner's model recognizes that environments are not static; they change over time, and these changes can have a significant effect on how people develop.

    Attribution: A Comprehensive Guide to the Bronfenbrenner Ecological Model

    Tools: Eco-maps and Genograms

    Tools used to understand how systems and environments impact a client include eco-maps and genograms.

    • An eco-map is a diagram that shows the social and personal relationships of an individual with his or her environment. Eco-maps were developed in 1975 by Dr. Ann Hartman, a social worker who is also credited for developing the genogram (Genachte, 2009).
    • Eco-maps will vary in what they look like as each map will cater to the specific individual or family and will highlight the stressors (negatives), positives, and relationships. The video below addresses what an eco-map is, why it’s important for human services workers, and how it is different from a genogram.
    • A genogram mimics a family tree. On a family tree each branch represent a family. A genogram digs deeper and identifies relationships, deaths, marriages, births, divorce, and adoptions and other significant family events. When collecting information to complete a genogram it is useful to understand a family’s dynamics (Johnson & Yanca, 2010.)
    • Genograms can help clients identify their roots and culture. Completing genograms can reopen past trauma or loss. A helping professional needs to be prepared to discuss and address these issues with their clients. The gitmind website rates the best free programs for creating genograms.

    EXAMPLE: Greg’s Eco-map

    Example of an ecomap

    Example of an ecomap,

    Activity: In class or as homework complete an eco-map and genogram of your own family. See how far you can go through family tree and connect your family, relationships, union formations and dissolutions, children, and other important family events.

    Attribution: Introduction to Social Work at Ferris State University Copyright © 2017 by andes109 and Department of Social Work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.


    3.2: Systems Theory- Person in Environment/Ecological Perspective is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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