Human Ecology and Ecosystems Flashcards
family ecosystem (2)
- subsystem of human ecology that emphasizes interactions between families and environments
- has 3 basic elements: organisms, environments, and family organization
family ecosystem: organisms
- family members
family ecosystem: environments (2)
- both the natural and human-built environments
- can be the economy, politics, socio-cultural, human-made, or natural
family ecosystem: family organization (2)
- this functions to transform energy in the form of information into family decisions and actions
- consists of the web of human interactions and the role patterns of members
social exchange theory
- focuses on individual resources and the trading or bartering of these resources, often related to power in families
ecology (2)
- study of how living things relate to their natural environment
- examines family system’s interactions with external environment
microenvironment (2)
- environment that closely surrounds individuals and families
- consists of the physical habitat and social aspects/interactions with others
marcroenvironment (2)
- surrounds and encompasses the microenvironment
- consists of societal systems and natural and structured surroundings
environment
- all-encompassing external conditions influencing the life of an organisms or population
sociocultural
- cultural heritage, social status, social support/networks
political
- laws and regulations, voting, public goods, tax payments
economic (2)
- provides a wage
- goods and services
technological
- causes changes in products and services that require adaptation
nature/structured
- population growth, urban sprawl, waste added to environment, products taken and used
resources/constraints of the economic system for immigrants (3)
- availability of jobs
- credentials recognized
- availability of goods and services
resources/constraints of the socio-cultural system for immigrants (3)
- cultural heritage
- ethnic communities
- receptivity toward newcomers
resources/constraints of the political system for immigrants (4)
- resettlement programs
- agencies/associations
- information in own language
- sponsorship of others
resources/constraints of the technological system for immigrants (2)
- obsolescence of occupational skills
- more advanced or less advanced technology than in home country
what are some examples of internal changes in families (4)
- shifts from role-orientated to interpersonal relationship-oriented marriages
- increasing diversity of individual choice in partner selection and retention
- smaller families
- reduction in production of goods and services at home, especially child care and food prep
what are some examples of internal changes in families (4)
- shifts from role-orientated to interpersonal relationship-oriented marriages
- increasing diversity of individual choice in partner selection and retention
- smaller families
- reduction in production of goods and services at home, especially child care and food prep
how did reduction in production of goods and services at home, especially child care and food prep change societal systems (2)
- need for institutional means of caring for elderly and young children
- more demand for services to the household
what are the 8 facets of economic theory
- use of scarce resources is costly; trade-offs must be always be made
- individuals choose purposefully, trying to get the most from their limited resources
- incentives matter
- access costs and benefits with alternatives
- information is scarce and costly to obtain
- decisions have immediate and later effects
- preferences very between individuals
- theory: predicts behaviour of a large number of individuals
optimization
- obtaining the best result by searching for information/effective use of resources and maximizing satisfaction
- best when time is not limited and true quality can be measured
satisficing
- picking the first good alternative that presents itself
- best when time and choice are limited
risk
- possibility of experiencing harm, suffering, damage, or loss
- can be the loss of money, energy, time or reputation
risk aversion
- minimize problems to maximize satisfaction
- avoidance of dire outcomes associated with risk
what the types of risk (6)
- functional/performance risk
- financial risk
- physical risk
- psychological risk
- social risk
- time risk
functional/performance risk
- possibility that a choice may not turn out as desired or have expected benefits
financial risk
- possibility that substantial amounts of money may be lost
physical risk
- possibility that harm may come from a choice
psychological risk
- possibility that a choice may damage a person’s image of self or self-esteem
social risk
- possibility that a choice may not be approved by others or may cause social embarrassment or rejection
time risk
- possibility that the ability to satisfy wants will decline over time
what are the two definitions of family resource management?
- planning and implementing the use of resources to meet demands
- process of using resource to achieve goals
what do definitions of FRM share in common (3)
- imply a process
- focus on meeting goals
- resources are central to management
what are the outcomes of FRM (4)
- goals accomplished
- met the crisis or handled the event
- developed resources or use of resources
- quality of life and well-being enhanced
