Understanding Self: Social System Theory and Ecological Perspective

Understanding Self: Social System Theory and Ecological Perspective

Coloni Brown

Our Lady of Elms College

Social system theory refers to social patterns that influence individuals' actions and behaviors within that social structure. "This theory examines all relationships within a thriving social system" (dictionary.reference.com, 2014).Each person in a social group processes thoughts and interprets the world in completely different manners. Yet, there are moments of mutual agreement that may occur on a regular basis (cambriapress.edu, 2010(pg1). The ecological perspective makes clear the need to view people and environments as a unified system within a set cultural and historic context. Both the person and environment can be fully understood only in terms of their relationship

This paper will discuss the Social System Theory and the Ecological Perspective. It will touch basis on perspectives and interpretations of life's experiences. It will address the topic of homoeostasis's and how equilibrium can be broken in the home. How, the role one plays in their social system as a child, can direct effects them as an adult. Sub-systems will be discussed as well and how these sub-systems contributed to the development of this student. It will research the systems on a micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

Understanding Self: Social System Theory and Ecological Perspective

SOCIAL SYSTEM THEORY:

Social system theory refers to social patterns that influence individuals' actions and behaviors within that social structure. 'This theory examines all relationships within a thriving social system' (dictionary.reference.com, 2014). Each person in a social group processes thoughts and interprets the world in completely different manners yet, moments of mutual agreement may occur on a regular basis (uky.edu, 2009(pg1). For example a man shows a ring, and a women says "yes". A pistol is drawn and a wallet is given up. A ball is kicked into a net and the crowd goes wild (cambriapress.edu, 2010(pg1). The ring, pistol, wallet, ball, net, and the people participating all exist in the world but, their reality as objects doesn't determine what these things will mean to different people (www.cambriapress,2010(pg1).How else could it be explained? Why would two people agree that a ring is a proposal, a wallet keeps a pistol silent and a ball entering a net is both a victory and a defeat in the same instant (cambriapress.edu,2010(pg1)?

To further this illustration of this concept, two fictional group members will be used. Shelly was in her mid-40s and had three children, ranging in age from 12 to 18. Shelly's husband had recently told her he wanted a divorce, to which Shelly reacted with surprise and anger. She felt unable to function and focus on tasks. She found herself falling into a deep depress (olc.edu, 1996(pg1). Ellen was also in her mid-40s. She had four children, ranging in age from 12 to 21. When her husband told her he wanted a divorce, the first thing she did was pick up the want ads and found a job. Both Shelly and Ellen were pushed to join this group for similar reasons, they both dealt with the stress in very different ways (olc.edu, 1996(pg1).

ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE:

The ecological perspective makes clear the need to view people and environments as a unified system within a set cultural and historic context. Both the person and environment can be fully understood only in terms of their relationship, each continually influences the other within a particular context (uncp.edu,1989(top).There are several constructs that interplay between the individual and their environment.

Adaptation is a ways of adjusting oneself or one's environment to achieve greater comfort. Goodness-of-fit is the extent to which one's needs are matched to available resources (uncp.edu, 1989(1/3). Niche is the point where one fits into the hierarchy, and habitat are the places where one lives, works, or recreates. The ecological perspective is far less abstract when compared to systems theory, but uses many of its concepts (uncp.edu, 1989(1/2).

Unlike other behavioral and psychological theories, the ecological theory focus on interrelation transactions between systems and stress that exist with in an ecosystem (weber. edu, 2008(pg1). In the social work field, using an ecological approach can be applied best by looking at the person, families, cultures, and communities (uncp.edu, 1989(top). By identifying the strength and weaknesses in the process of interaction between these systems (uncp.edu).

As the writer mention earlier in this paper perspective plays a major role in adaption. The scenarios of Shelly and Ellen are all prime example of how children brought up in the same home, under the same rules, could have totally different interpretations of their childhood. These interpretation greatly effects how one functions (cambriapress.edu, 2010(pg1). The outcome of each child transition will be undoubtedly very different. The account of each individual will be different as well.

MICRO:

Roles are the behavior expected of an individual who occupies a given social position or status. A role is a comprehensive pattern of behavior that is socially recognized, providing a means of identifying and placing an individual in a society. It also serves as a strategy for coping with recurrent situations and dealing with the roles of others (dictionary.reference.com, 2014). Roles play a major part in how we socialize. Many role provide status to members of the social system in which we interact in such as family, work, and school.

As the eldest child of eight this student had many responsibilities. Resenting the fact of being the oldest played a major role in the development of this student. Viewing the role as a punishment rather than seeing all the values the position provided, this social worker longed to hold the place of the other children. Seeing them play and retain little responsibility was a hard pill to swallow. Those word ranged true for this student but on a total different level. This resentment caused this student to feel unwanted, mistreated, and in some situation it brought on a feeling of not belonging. Quit often this child would hear her siblings say "She get to do everything, it's not fair". This statement was confusing to this student, why would anyone want to be responsible for seven