The similarities between systems theory and social constructionism include; the lived reality of a person is fashioned from relations, the social system a person is part of transmits identity and symptoms (Gehart, 2014). Experiences can be changed by altering the person’s language and description of a problem. And within a relational context truth can be found, and obtaining an outsiders viewpoint is unmanageable. Even with the similarities between systems theory and social constructionism there are differences (Gehart, 2014). Such as the metaphors used in each theory, social constructionism has textual metaphors, and systems theory has systems metaphors. The textual metaphor is when people use social discourses that are accessible to describe their lives with the intention to find meaning. Whereas a systems metaphor focuses more on the system of a family and how it shapes individuals thoughts of the world. When relating to clients and their problems social constructionism stresses the therapist’s role in co-construction of reality to the client while systems theory looks at the second-order cybernetic dynamics. Lastly, to generate interventions social constructionism uses the language and stories then systems theory. The constructs of the theories related to social constructionism include; Kenneth Gergen, Shelia McNamee, John Shotter, Michel …show more content…
The first assumption skeptical of objective reality: “whatever exists is mute” explains that postmodernists do not like to put too much on the fact of reality. They do not like to allow things and events to have a precise good and bad definition and they believe that communities build
...the social structures in a society, and the relationship it has with the functions of the society. In understanding the system theory, it is worth pointing out on important features defining the theory. According to Luhmann, functioning differentiation is the most complex form of differentiation. Thus, functioning differentiation refers to the working of differentiated elements in a social system. Functional differentiation asserts that in system theory, there is a dependence and interdependence of various elements of a society. Social systems refer to the structural elements that make up a society. In addition, subsystems are the individual societal structures and elements that make up a social system. According to the systems theory, sub systems are instrumental in initiating communication between elements of a social structure.
When all of your systems, such as family, work, and school are working well together, then the individual systems are working together as one larger system. The theories under the Person-In-Environment lens are able to be applied to both individuals and environments (Rogers, A. 2013). There are five theories discussed under the person-in-environment lens.
In the Chapter 3 of “The Reality of Social Construction”, Dave Elder-Vass examines the academic views about culture and rules. He calls cultural realism the view according to which culture and rules exist independently of people. In this chapter, the author explains the reason why he does not agree with the academic view of culture.
What is unique about constructivism is its ability to examine problems from the client’s point of view is that it allows individuals to create their own reality during counseling appointment. According to Pamelia Brott (2004), therapists act more as facilitators of change than therapeutic leaders, the client is viewed as the agent of change (191). The constructivist perspective reality comes into being through the interpretations of what the world means to the client individually (p.192). As Sharf (2015) explains, “…in the act of knowing, it is the human mind that actively gives meaning and order to that reality to which it is responding…" (p.455). Because of this the constructivist perspective does not provide a single theoretical structure as each counseling session is unique in providing client’s a solution that is applicable to
The therapeutic process is an opportunity for both healing and restoration, as well as discovering new ways of being. Although exposed to a variety of psychological theories, I narrowed my theoretical orientation to a relational psychodynamic approach, drawing on attachment theory and Intersubjective Systems Theory (IST). IST describes how the subjective experiences, both embodied and affective, of an individual becomes the manner of organization, or way of being, in which the person operates in the world relationally. It is through this process of transference and countertransference, the unconscious ways of being can become explicit and through the collaborative effort of therapist and client, new ways of organizing the relational world can be discovered. I pay particular attention to enactments, which expose intra-psychic dynamics between the therapist and client, as opportunities for relational remodeling.
The Social Construction Theory is defined as the event of individuals and or groups perceive real life events and objects and put a meaning to them. Social construction is an ongoing process and views can be modified because the concept is relying upon the communication from one person to another and different people can interpret things differently. One way society has constructed ideas is with animals. Throughout history people have created stories using animals as characters and those stories were passed down from generation to generation. Those stories can influence how people feel about the actual animals.
The person-in-environment approach views a client’s problems by how they react to the environmental contexts within their environment and how they occur. According to Gordon and Richmond, it has been stated that the person-in-environment approach is the “cornerstone” of social work practice. (as cited in Rogers, 2016, p.24). A clients’ systems are the interrelated aspects of a clients’ lives where all parts come together to function. Social workers utilize and focus on a clients’ systems when applying the person-in-environment. A clients’ system is anything that they interact with and hold roles in their lives. These systems can be on a micro level which is the individual and their biology, personality, and genetics. The individuals’ mezzo level would include their immediate environment, family, school, friends, or work. A macro level would include the larger social aspects of a clients’ life such as government policies, discrimination, oppression, or social class. Social workers incorporate these interactions and how they impact clients’ and their presenting problems. This theory and approach are beneficial as it allows a social worker to find out what resources are available to the client during their time with the worker (Rodgers,
The Systems Perspective is seeing the human behavior as the outcome of reciprocal interactions of persons operating within social systems. Fisher’s life ties together beautifully in how he demonstrates how negative circumstances do not always have a negative effect on your outcome. The positive interactions he had with Dr. Davenport, Cheryl, and later his family allowed him to see that past situations do not always have an effect on future circumstances. Although this may not always be the case for individuals, Fisher proved that childhood can affect current life for a while but therapy can help reverse the actions of inflicted upon an individual during
In conclusion, Anderson et al. (2010) discussed the relationship between therapeutic models and the techniques utilized by them. However, the contextual model that they posit in this article is built upon a postmodern philosophy and has numerous flaws. As a result, I reject many of their arguments, at least as they are presented. Despite this, there was some information (albeit modified) from this article that I can incorporate into my own practice as a therapist.
There exists conflicting theories among sociologists in the area of determining why a person is considered to be a deviant, and the reasons behind why he or she has committed a deviant act. From a positivistic perspective, deviance is based on biological or social determinism. Alternatively, from a constructionist perspective, deviance is created and assigned by society. Both perspectives seek to give a theory for why a person may become known as deviant. Although they both view similar acts as deviant, the basic differences between positivists and constructionists theories are clear.
Systems ideas is referring to three different types of systems, each created in a different era; general systems theory, ecosystem perspectives and complex systems theory (Healy, 2005). Systems Ideas in social work originated with general systems theory in the 1940’s and 1950’s, formulated by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy in the 1970’s (Payne, 2005). Systems Ideas are very relevant to human related professions such as; doctors, social workers and other institutions. The systems Ideas theory aids social workers to find an individual’s “fit” and “adapt” to the current society (Payne, 2005). There are many people involved in an individual’s social system, from friends and family to institutions such as schools and doctors. These can also be put into further categories formal and informal theories. Formal theories consist of systems such as institutions like social worker and doctors but informal theories include friends, family and community. In complex situations, systems ideas and theory is more appropriate to use than other more casual models of practice.
Forder, A. (1976). Social Work and System Theory. British Journal of Social Work, 6(1), 23-42.
I see the word “system” and conceptualize of all the things that intertwine that make an impact in the client’s life. From what I have learned in lectures my definition of system level interaction is a way in which the social worker helps clients by intervening in large systems. Examples include lobbying to change a health care law, organizing a state-wide activist group or advocating for large-scale social policy change. I believe system level intervention is where the social makes a profound impact in their client’s life. The social worker has the opportunity to create a positive impact not only on the client, but also with other people that are dealing with the same problems. The social worker in system level intervention is an advocator for the unheard because they have the platform to create change, therefore, Macro practice empowers clients by involving them in systemic change. Community development is another system level intervention practice, from forming task groups in the community or treatment groups for the purpose of helping their client overcome their problems at
social system that must be met for the system to survive and the corresponding structures that
Postmodernism assumes an ontology of fragmented being. Where modernism asserts the primacy of the subject in revealing universal truth, postmodernism challenges the authority of the subject and, thus, universal truth based on it. Modernism and postmodernism, however, draw upon distinctly different epistemological modes: critical and dogmatic.