Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
19 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
What does systems theory focus on?
|
Focuses on relationships and relational issues between individuals, rather than on the individual and individual problems to be solved in isolation.
|
|
|
What is systems theory concerned with?
|
Concerned with how the problem is maintained and what the individuals involved desire as a solution, rather than about what causes the problem and its removal.
What is happening NOT why. |
|
|
What does systems theory emphasize?
|
Emphasizes interactions and connectedness of the different components of a system.
|
|
|
What is a system?
|
A basic set of units or elements interconnected in a consistent relationship or interactional pattern such that whatever affects one part of the system will affect the other parts of the system.
|
|
|
What is a subsystem?
|
An organized component of a system which has a specific role in the functioning of the larger system and is somewhat autonomous (self-governed) from it.
|
|
|
Examples of subsystems.
|
Marital (or couple), parental, and siblings.
|
|
|
What is wholeness?
|
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts (Law of Composition).
Ex: Triangles in families/relationships. |
|
|
What is non-summativity?
|
Combining the individual elements of a system will not recreate its essential character.
|
|
|
What is circular causality?
|
The non-linear, recursive nature of interactions in families.
Events, behaviors, and interactions in a system mutually influence one another. |
|
|
What is recursion?
|
Ongoing mutual influence, interaction, and shared responsibility of members of a system, which occurs at the interface of relationships in the system.
|
|
|
What does a recursive perspective entail?
|
We see every system influencing and being influenced by every other system, and every individual influencing and being influenced by every other individual.
|
|
|
What does complementary mean in a system?
|
A mutual "fitting together" of parts of a system such that the behaviors of one part enhance the behavior of the other parts to maintain the equilibrium of the system including its dysfunctional elements.
|
|
|
What is emergence?
|
What the system looks like and what shapes the system.
Simple interactions lead to complex systems and patterns. |
|
|
What is coherence in a system?
|
How a system functions and determines ways in which a family behaves and interacts.
The behavior of a system being itself. |
|
|
Allopoetic vs. Autopoetic
|
They are both types of systems.
An allopoetic system can be controlled from outside or externally (machines). An autopoetic system is self-organizing, self-maintaining & internally controlled (human, biological). |
|
|
Entropy vs. Negentropy
|
They are both characteristics of systems.
Entropy is the measure of disorder in a system; random functioning= high entropy. Ex: No rules in a family, less support in the system. Negentropy is the measure of organization in a system; well organized= high negentropy. Ex: Family is organized & supportive, family members know their place. |
|
|
Open vs. Closed
|
They are both characteristics of a system.
Open systems have flexible boundaries, permits free exchange of information & resources with other systems increasing its function, well-defined, and functionally porous. Closed systems are self-contained, rigid boundaries, resists change, operates with minimal interactions with the outside increasing its dysfunction. |
|
|
Morphostasis vs. Morphogenesis
|
Morphostasis is the tendency of a system to retain its basic organization or structure, to remain the same and to behave in a stable and predictable manner while in a state of dynamic balance.
Morphogenesis is the tendency of a system to evolve or change its basic organization or structure as necessary depending on the situation, which allows for growth, innovation, and creativity. |
|
|
What is homeostasis?
|
The efforts of a system to maintain consistency and balance in structure and organization when under stress.
Ex: Mobile structure in the home. |
