Social systems theorists

Definition, history, terminology, assumptions, ecosystems, Bowen family theory, limitations, relevance to social work, practising Systems Theory. Three sections follow:. Background Material that provides the context for the topic.

Social systems examples

Suggestions for Practice. Feedback welcome! Systems Theory is used to understand and address the dynamic interplay of various influences or systems in an individual's life—personal, family, friends, community, institutions, society. All organisms are conceptualised as systems—smaller subsystems and larger systems which interact with and influence each other.

That is, the environment in which individuals exist continually influences them, and they also influence it—creating it, restructuring it, and both changing it and being changed by it. This change can be positive or negative. Systems Theory focuses attention on the interactions between the systems. Recognising individuals as interconnected parts of larger systems can lead to developing interventions that address the underlying causes of social problems and provide support for individuals Bouchrika, ; Lonne, ; Peart,