Why do people do what they do?
The medical model v. the ecological model
The medical model
The ecological model
The Systems Impact Model
Impacts of systems in the environment
system = a set of elements that are orderly and interrelated to make a functional whole
boundaries = the repeatedly boundaries = the repeatedly occurring patterns of behavior that characterize the relationships within a system and give that system a particular identity
subsystem = a secondary or subordinate system (a smaller system within a larger system)
homeostasis = tendency for a system to maintain a relatively stable constant state of balance (the status quo)
role = a culturally determined pattern of behavior that is prescribed for an individual who occupies a specific status
relationship = the mutual exchange, dynamic interaction, and affective, cognitive, and behavioral connection that exists between two or more persons or systems
input = the energy, information, or communication flow received from other systems
output = what happens to input after it has been processed by some system
feedback = a special form of input; it involves a system receiving information about its own performance
interface = the point of contact or communication between different systems, organizations, or individuals
differentiation = a system's tendency to move from a more simplified to a more complex existence
entropy = the tendency of a system to progress toward disorganization, depletion, and death
negative entropy = the process of systems toward growth and development
equifinality = multiple means to the same end, i.e., alternatives
The ecological perspective
social environment = the conditions, circumstances, and human interactions that encompass human beings
transactions = communications or interactions with others in their environments
energy = the natural power of active involvement between people and their environments (can be input or output)
interface = the exact point at which the interaction between an individual and an environment take place
adaptation = the capacity to adjust to surrounding environmental conditions
coping = the way people deal with the problems they encounter in life (choosing the best alternative)
interdependence = the mutual reliance of each person upon every other person
People's involvement in multiple systems
Values and ethics
NASW Code of Ethics
Diversity, oppression and populations-at-risk
Discrimination = the prejudgment and negative treatment of people based on identifiable characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or ethnicity
Oppression = placing severe restrictions on a group or institution
The client system may be an individual, a family or a small group. It is the center of the SIM model
Organizational systems include those structures that process and distribute resources to client systems
Community systems are places where people spend their daily lives living and working
many institutional values are in a state of flux
Social worker system is how the social worker "fits in"
The social worker and organizational systems
The social worker and community systems
Social worker system roles
enabler role - a worker helps a client system become capable of coping with situational or transitional stress
mediator role - involves resolving arguments or disagreements among micro, mezzo, or macro systems
integrator/coordinator role - bringing together parts into an organized whole
general manager role - administrative responsibility for a social agency or other unit
educator role - involves giving information and teaching skills to client and other systems
analyst/evaluator role - analyze or evaluate how well programs and systems work
broker role - helps link clients with community resources and services
facilitator role - serves as a leader for a group experience
initiator role - person who calls attention to an issue
negotiator role - represents an organization, group, or individual trying to wrestle something from other groups or systems
advocate role - involves stepping forward and speaking on behalf of the client system
Email: rose.bogal@murraystate.edu
Home Page: http://www.murraystate.edu/qacd/chs/socwork/socwork.htm
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