System Theory : Systems Theory

1. System Thinking: System thinking is nothing but instead of focusing on only one particular issue, we have to analyze and try to understand the entire system on the whole. With this kind of analyzation, we can easily find a solution to the problem as the problems are not confined to only a particular area or time. We might find a solution for a particular issue, somewhere in the whole system by analyzing the entire system completely. We should try to relate the actions and the consequences on the whole as the issues occur at different time levels, not confined to only one particular time level. We have to have knowledge of the relation between different departments of an organization and the relation between them and the functionality between the departments as to how they are related in an organization. We generally focus on only one particular issue rather than seeing the bug picture and that shouldn’t be done. In system thinking we analyze the big picture.

Wholeness is a system in which the individual parts of the system can not be isolated from one another in order to comprehend the system as a whole. An example would be if a father is an alcoholic, it becomes the family’s problem rather then just the father’s. In Little Miss Sunshine, the father has a winning attitude about everything in his life. His overbearing attitude about winning is displayed throughout

The computer simulation named “Rabbits and wolves” is about models and simple systems. In the simulation, there are three main organisms, rabbits, wolves and grass all put together in a forest ecosystem. An ecosystem is a set of organism within a defined area or volume that interact with one another and with their environment (Miller & Spoolman). A system is a collection of elements or components that are organized for a common purpose (Rouse, 2005).

Multiple contents must be considered: Micro-, meso-, exo-, and macrosystems are all components of the total ecological system that impact the individual when a mega crisis occurs.

A system is “A set of interrelated and interdependent parts arranged in a manner that produces a unified whole” (robbins 2006), and Systems theory is the

Input: An input is when a computer receives data from external hardware such as a mouse, keyboard

Ecosystem: a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment

The process that is used to monitor an entire system of inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback is known as systems thinking. An example of this would be a factory that uses systems thinking to monitor the production of a good on an assembly line. There are inputs (materials), processes (the materials being assembled), outputs (the finished product), and the feedback (which monitors and maintains stability of the assembly line).

The two systems are such close partners that they are explored together in this chapter

Ecosystem: According to our text, “The exosystem refers to the external relationships in which a child is influenced indirectly. Within this system, a child’s indirect contact can include culture, community, and society.” For example if a child’s family was to have been pounce on by a natural disaster and losing most of the family’s life necessities then ultimately all the pressure and disconformities would eventually trickle down to the child. Even though he was not directly involved in the onslaught, his life will ultimately be effected as the family struggles to survive.

Environment is defined as “all factors affecting and affected by the system” and is “all internal and external factors or influences surrounding the identified client or client system”. Neuman has identified three relevant environments. The internal environment “ consists of all forces or interactive influences internal to or contained solely within the boundaries of the defined client/client system”. The external environment “ consists of all forces or interactive influences external to or existing outside the defined client/client system” and is interpersonal and extrapersonal in nature(Neuman, 2002).

The Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems is a model created by psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner that refers to five structures of which an individual interacts with that impacts their development. The structures are referred to as systems in the model and there are five systems: Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem.

With the second wave of systems theory came about the idea of the ecological perspective, named ecological systems theory. It is the combining of general systems theory with an ecological approach. Ecological systems theory uses ideas that link together four different social systems that surround an individual; these systems are known as, micro-systems, meso-systems, exo-systems and macro-systems (Healy, 2005). The ecological model is used as a tool. These systems are very structured and use certain processes as guideline. Different processing concepts are used in systems theory. These concepts explain how the system works. Input is the energy being fed into the system across boundaries. Throughput is how the energy is used within the system and output is the

Fourth, the organization is represented as being in close inter-relationship with its environment; both influencing it and being influenced by it. The organization does not simply react to its environment but can proactively attempt to change the environment in ways which will benefit the organization.

This model actually focuses on systems and how the inputs are changed into the outputs purchased by the customers.