Ecological Systems Theory Flashcards
Ecological systems theory is concerned with the interaction and interdependence of individuals with their surrounding what?
Systems
T/F - Ecological systems theory takes a holistic view by assessing how individuals affect and are affected by such physical, social, political, and cultural systems.
true
T/F - Ecological systems theory is NOT a theoretical basis for facilitating social evolution and individual growth and development by providing a framework to assess individuals in their environment and determine the most appropriate system in which to intervene.
false
T/F - Origins of systems theory, social theory, and bioecological systems theory
False systems theory, ecological theory, and bioecological systems theory
Ecological systems theory was developed from systems theory which aims to explore the interactions and interdependence of organisms with their environment
False - it holds that the whole of a system is greater than the sum of its parts where the elements of the system do not function in isolation but, rather, interact and depend on each other to form a functional whole.
Which theory holds that the whole system is not complete without the presence / participation of each of the elements.
systems theory, ecological theory, or bioecological systems theory
systems theory
Which theory works to assess individuals in the context of ecological systems with which they interact, such as their family, and institutions (e.g., school and workplace), AND the extent to which the transactions within their environment are helpful or unhelpful
systems theory, ecological theory, or bioecological systems theory
ecological theory
Which theory includes the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem?
systems theory, ecological theory, or bioecological systems theory
bioecological systems theory
T/F - With bioecological systems theory the client is able to affect the systems with which they interact; thus, the influence is bidirectional; the interaction within and between the layers are important to explore.
true
T/F - Understanding these various systems does not help the social worker take a holistic view of a client
False
Which system consists of the interaction between two or more systems that cause an indirect influence on another system.
Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem
Exosystem
Which system consists of the larger social system that can comprise decisions, events, and contingencies in which the child has no influence.
Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem
Exosystem
Which system consists of larger systems that influence a child’s life, such as policies and legislation, cultural values, customs, and beliefs, entitlement services and programs, and resources.
Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem
Macrosystem
Which system is closest to the child and consists of relationships / interactions that the child has with their immediate surroundings, such as parents.
Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem
Microsystem
Which system provides linkage between the systems in the microsystem, i.e. the connection between the parents and the school, between the school and the neighborhood
Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem
Mesosystem
Which system is dimensions of time or the events that have occurred in the child’s life. including external events, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or a parent’s death AND internal events, such as biological, physiological, or psychological changes within the child.
Chronosystem
T/F - assessing the client’s immediate environment and how the other layers of the environment interact and affect each other is not part of Ecological systems theory
False
T/F - The aim in applying ecological systems theory is to assess only one system in a client’s life that can influence the extent to which the client can grow & develop.
False - assess ALL the systems in a client’s life
determining the most appropriate system in which to intervene in order to alleviate distress and/or dysfunction in the client’s life and provide avenues and opportunities for positive growth and development occurs after INTAKE OR ASSESSMENT?
Assessment
Which environment looks at exchanges and interactions with friends, family, social and community networks, and the political, legal, and economic structures
Cultural environments, Social environments, Physical environments
Social environments
Which environment includes the built world, such as buildings and structures, as well as the natural world
Cultural environments, Social environments, Physical environments
Physical environments
Which environment includes the values, beliefs, norms, and customs that shape individuals’ values, perspectives, and expectations.
Cultural environments, Social environments, Physical environments
Cultural environments
T/F - ecological systems theory views the relationships & interactions between the individuals & their environments are static
False - they evolve over time and are influenced by historical and cultural influences.
T/F - 5 Assumptions of Ecological Systems Theory include:
The whole system is greater than the sum of its parts.
The parts of a system are interconnected and interdependent.
A system is either directly or indirectly affected by other systems.
All systems have boundaries and rules.
Systems strive for a goodness-of-fit with their environment.
True
T/F - The assumption - The whole system is greater than the sum of its parts means intervening into one element of the system without fully assessing the whole system will stop the presenting problem
False - without fully assessing the whole system could continue the presenting problem and further reduce the goodness-of-fit of the client.
1 A system is either directly or indirectly affected by other systems
A change / movement in one element (or subsystem) will cause a change / movement in another element is
OR
The parts of a system are interconnected and interdependent.
1 A system is either directly or indirectly affected by other systems
An individual will respond to the environment and the environment will respond to the individual is 1 or 2
OR
A system is either directly or indirectly affected by other systems.
For example, a family system is directly or indirectly affected by other systems, such as the school, childcare facility, workplace
1 All systems have boundaries and rules
Open systems (are receptive to change and development) and closed systems (are more resistant to outside influences and remain static) are part of
OR
All systems have boundaries and rules.
1 All systems have boundaries and rules
systems can be permeable at different points is
OR
All systems have boundaries and rules - systems can be permeable at different points, which depends on the extent to which the system is open or closed.
T/F - the extent to which a system can adapt to the environment is key to experiencing goodness-of-fit and in minimizing stress or dysfunction.
true
Is it intervention or assessment that allows the SW to examine if other systems (beyond the client) in the client’s environment are contributing to the presenting problem.
assessment
T/F - An ecomap is not helpful in an assessment
False
T/F - ecomap does not begin with a genogram of the client system
false
What can you do during the assessment process to visually see the systems in the client’s life and the extent to which the relationships & interactions with the various systems and the environment is helping or hindering the client’s goodness-of-fit.
create an ecomap
Does assessment or intervention involve targeting the individual client system or other systems in which the client system interacts
intervention
T/F - the SW uses a specific intervention method(s) to achieve the aim of the work with the client system. Ex. the SW may use motivational interviewing and advocacy
true
ecological systems theory encourages the SW to select WHAT? that will enhance the good-ness-of-fit between the client system and the environment.
Intervention(s)
Which attempts to describe people’s embeddedness in their environments
Ecological systems theory or Solution-focused Theory
Ecological systems theory
Are we completely dependent on our social and physical world and the resources it provides
yes
Is it Ecological Systems Theory, Strengths-Based Theory, or Solution-Focused Theory that is a relational perspective
Ecological Systems Theory
The person and the environment are not responsible for shaping each other
False - they are reciprocal to shaping each other
Change in one system causes a change in another (i.e. putting pregnant woman on methodone removes her from social system)
T/F - Attempting to understand human problems at the individual or environmental level in the absence of the other is considered reductionistic (reducing things down too far into individual components)
true
Critics argue that ecological systems theory is so meta theoretical that it is difficult to WHAT?
operationalize in practice
T/F - This theory is not open-ended (multiple avenues of exploration) and an increased holistic understanding of individuals lives
False - it is open-endedness
Ecological systems theory must be grounded in core social work WHAT to avoid the promotion of adaptation to oppression and injustice
values
Is it Systems theory or Ecological theory that highlights the connection of people and the embeddedness in various social systems
Systems theory
As individuals are we truly independent? Because why?
No - we are always influencing and being influenced by our life circumstances
Is it Systems theory or Ecological theory is concerned with the adaptive fit of organisms and their environments – we have to be cautious in “adapting” given that oppression is evident in society.
Ecological theory
What type of influence do people or groups in a system share?
reciprocal influence
T/F - From General Systems Theory - causes are considered to be linear
False - circular
Systems possess structure, consisting of predictable patterns of behaviors and WHAT.
boundaries
T/F - Boundaries are not arbitrary.
false - For example, families have boundaries that limit the amount of information shared outside of that system
T/F - In terms of boundaries: open systems rigidly restrict the flow of information
false - open systems share information freely whereas closed systems
Why do you need to understand the boundaries and rules in the system?
because one family member may have a closed system and another has a very open system so you have to navigate this
EX. They may be open about their neighbourhood and closed about their sexual orientation (example of mike from class)
T/F - excessive closedness = loss of identity and other risks
false
Excessive openness = loss of identity and other risks and excessive closedness = deprivation
T/F - Because of the reciprocal impacts of different systems – different interventions have similar impacts
true
Central Concepts from Ecological Theory is an emphasis on “goodness of fit”
THE PERSON consists of: o Biology o Creativity and choice o Beliefs o Strengths and competencies o Roles
What else is missing
Needs (what do we need to know about what is their need that must be met)
Most people seek help because they have some type of WHAT? that is not being adequately met
need
T/F - Needs synonymous with capabilities
true
Two foundational needs: affiliation and practical reason
Which is - access to meaningful social roles and relationships
and which is - the opportunity to be self-reflective, respecting one’s values and purpose
o Affiliational needs: access to meaningful social roles and relationships
o Practical reason: the opportunity to be self-reflective, respecting one’s values and purpose
Four basic universal human needs: Affiliation, A?, Health, Dignity/respect
Autonomy
T/F - our environments have a considerable impact on us, so we have no power
false - we are shaping the environments in the same way they are shaping us - we choose our paths
What B? is a habitual way of interpreting our lives – and impacts how we feel
Beliefs
T/F - beliefs that shape our feelings and behaviors – must be spoken
false - beliefs aren’t always spoken
What belief is when clients can be helped to have hope and optimism, their motivation is enhanced
Sustaining Beliefs or Constraining Beliefs
Sustaining Beliefs
T/F - Self-esteem: the belief that we have value and that our lives are meaningful is related to hope?
true
What is saying “My situation is hopeless”
Sustaining Beliefs or Constraining Beliefs
Constraining Beliefs
- Beliefs about how we view others as trustworthy or not
- If you see others as untrustworthy: may be isolated and fearful
Ecological theorist differentiate environmental conditions that have an immediate impact on an individual from those that are less directly influential
1 - Micro
2 - Macro
3 - Proximal
4 - Distal
Put them in order (further away) (close) (small) (larger and broader)
o Micro (small) o Macro (larger and broader) o Proximal (close) o Distal (further away)
Which of the 5 Systems includes - institutions and groups that most immediately and directly impact an individual including: family, school, religious institutions, neighborhood, and peers.
Microsystem
Which of the 5 Systems includes - Interconnections between the microsystems, ie. Your family may be connected to their neighborhood or culture within the neighborhood ie a family member may draw strength from those who share their cultural background in the neighborhood
• Mesosystem
Which of the 5 Systems includes - links between a social setting in which the individual does not have an active role and the individual’s immediate context.
For example, a parent’s or child’s experience at home may be influenced by the other parent’s experiences at work. The parent might receive a promotion that requires more travel, which might increase conflict with the other parent and change patterns of interaction with the child.
ex. If you have a bad day at work, then it impacts the family because you are quiet and don’t want to make dinner ex
Exosystem
Which of the 5 Systems includes - the culture in which individuals live. Cultural contexts include developing and industrialized countries, socioeconomic status, poverty, and ethnicity. Members of a cultural group share a common identity, heritage, and values.
Macrosystem
Which of the 5 Systems includes - The patterning of environmental events and transitions over the life course. For example, divorces are one transition. Researchers have found that the negative effects of divorce on children often peak in the first year after the divorce. By two years after the divorce, family interaction is less chaotic and more stable.
Chronosystem
“Ecological Niche” is the social and physical WHAT that we occupies
social and physical space we occupies
Two important aspects that determine our fit with our space or environment are WHAT
demands and resources
events or situations in our lives that we have to attend to / have to adapt to are demands or resources
demands
T/ F - Resources: resources are needed to take care of ourselves and meet our daily demands and include tools, skills and help from others
true
T/F - Resources include:
o Emotional supports
o Information supports
o Instrumental supports (connection to peer organizations, transporation)
o Affiliational supports – the roles in which we feel competent and valued
true
We have to do WHAT with the weight of demands and the resources that are available to us
balance
If the weight of demands is greater than the resources we have, we will experience WHAT
distress
We draw on our strengths and competencies to access WHAT
resources
T/F - Understanding client’s perceptions of demands assist us in “starting where the client is at
true
What tool can we use to broaden the frame of the person and the problem to a more holistic and comprehensive understanding
ecomap
WHAT outlines some of the systems in an individual’s life and also diagrams the relationship between those systems
ecomap
T/F - Ecomaps do not evolve
false - are only a snapshot in time for a client and can evolve
Goodness of Fit will see demands and resources are in WHAT
Balance
