Lecture 3 Flashcards
What is a system?
A collection of parts that interacts to function as a whole
- parts are organized around a purpose
- continually affect each other over time
Is a system and an environment the same thing?
System can be distringuiished form its environment and out affects its environment
What does systems thinking mean?
Means to think in terms of relationships (social and ecological)
-hard because we have been taught to weight and measure things
Where did systems thinking originate?
In the 1920/30’s, HEc’s were apart of this this thinking.
Moving from biology to ecology (ecosystem vs single species)
-moving from specific answers to looking at the whole picture
Why is it hard for us to think in terms of relationships?
relationships can not be measured and weighed, they need to be mapped
-which requires a qualitative approach
What is the general systems theory?
All phenomena can be viewed as a web of dynamic, complex relationships among elements. Describes phenomena but doesnt predict it
-all systems have common patterns, behaviour and properties
What does the general systems theory focus on?
On processes like how system adapt to inputs and generate outputs
What are the 10 things family systems theory looks at?
- Interdependent components
- Inputs and outputs
- Boundaries
- Hierarchy
- RUles
- Nonsummativity
- Change
- Goals
- Equifinality
- Feedback Mechanisms
When looking at family systems theory, what are interdependent components?
All members. are affected by change in one member
- causal effects are complex (not linear)
- need to look at problems holistically and in context
When looking at family systems theory, what are inputs and outputs?
Info/energy/matter that is imported into the system or exported from it
-Inputs (food, goods) are transformed into outputs (behaviour, garbage)
When looking at family systems theory, what are Boundaries?
Boundaries exist around each family system and act as an interface between the family and its environment
-there are varying degrees of permeability as to how much matter/energy/in is allowed in/out of the system
Where else do boundaries exist in a family?
Subsystems of interest
-parent and child
When looking at family systems theory, what is the hierarchy?
Families are part of neighbourhood suprasystems, those are apart of community suprasystem.
-subsystems reflect patterns of relationships among family members. Various subsystems may hold differing levels of power witting the family system
When looking at family systems theory, what are rules?
Reflect repeated patterns in family systems
- explicit or implicit
- prescribe all aspects of family member interactions
When looking at family systems theory, what is nonsummativity?
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
-cant learn how a whole system works by analyzing each of its components in isolation
When looking at family systems theory, what is change?
Systems resist change to maintain a certain predicable order
-are able to recognize and adapt new patterns of interaction in response to information from outside/inside the family
When looking at family systems theory, what is the goal?
Families strive to achiever goals, these can chang ever time as members start to grow and change
-goals exist at the family system level and may not always coincide with foals of individual members
When looking at family systems theory, what is equifinality?
Ability of a system to achieve a goal through different means or routes
When looking at family systems theory, what are feedback mechanisms?
Families strive to maintain balance in their functioning (self regulating/corrective)
- Negative feedback: pushes the system back to equilibrium
- Positive feedback: Change in the system was accepted and the previous equilibrium changes and adapts to this new way
Families have endless patterns of monitoring
In family systems theory, what is adaptability of a system?
Positively related to the amount and variety of. resources available. It must be flexible to change with the environment
Negatively related to conflict and tension
What was the ecological approach too family health?
Family is the oldest and most basic. unit of society and has traditionally been the first and among the most important of healthcare givers. It is the centre of a complex network of interconnected social systems
-the family cares, protects and nurtures members
Interms of family health, what is an effective entry point for health promotion?
The family
What is an ecological approach to family health?
Individual behaviour is shaped and reinforced by mutual dynamic interactions at multiple levels within ones physical and social surroundings
The family receives and interprets health messages for its members and family members often resemble each other in terms of health
-ecological perspective on family health accounts for the myriad of influences on it
What is the human ecological model?
composed of different systems, in which at the core is the child which is affected by family, community and society
From the human ecological model what is a microsystem?
Immediate setting for say to ay activities where (family, school), where personal interactions occur
From the human ecological model what is an ecosystem?
Factor such as programs, policies and regulations, quality of education and availability of resources that affect communities organization and institutions