Social workers use countless theories in their areas of practice. These theories attempt to explain human behavior, relationships and social issues. A theory is a logical system of concepts that helps to explain why something happens in a particular way and to predict outcomes. By grounding their practice in theory, social workers can better understand his or her own task, orient goal setting, and anticipate outcomes. Two theories will be discussed in this paper. The first theory being the General Systems Theory and the second theory is the Transpersonal Theory.
The General Systems theory also known as the Systems theory the General Systems theories is an interdisciplinary conceptual framework that focuses on wholeness, pattern, relationship, order, integration and organization.(Bertalanffy, 1968) The theory take a look at the whole pattern instead of just parts of the pattern. The General Systems theory was authored and first introduced by Ludwig von Bertalanffy in 1940s. Ludwig von Bertalanffy was an Austrian biologist who’s most famous work was the General Systems Theory. He suggested that the classical laws of thermodynamics applied to closed systems, but not necessarily to open systems, such as living things. His model or an organism growth over time which was published in 1934 …show more content…
Thirdly its contribution to practice in providing a model of the structure of systems as a guide to appraisal and intervention. Fourthly is its contribution to the understanding of social work process. In the social work practice Genereal Systems Theory is used to develop a holistic view of individuals within an environment and is best applied to situations where several systems inextricably connect and influence one another. It can be employed in cases where contextual understandings of behavior will lead to the most appropriate practice
The General Systems theory also known as the Systems theory the General Systems theories is an interdisciplinary conceptual framework that focuses on wholeness, pattern, relationship, order, integration and organization.(Bertalanffy, 1968) The theory take a look at the whole pattern instead of just parts of the pattern. The General Systems theory was authored and first introduced by Ludwig von Bertalanffy in 1940s. Ludwig von Bertalanffy was an Austrian biologist who’s most famous work was the General Systems Theory. He suggested that the classical laws of thermodynamics applied to closed systems, but not necessarily to open systems, such as living things. His model or an organism growth over time which was published in 1934 …show more content…
Thirdly its contribution to practice in providing a model of the structure of systems as a guide to appraisal and intervention. Fourthly is its contribution to the understanding of social work process. In the social work practice Genereal Systems Theory is used to develop a holistic view of individuals within an environment and is best applied to situations where several systems inextricably connect and influence one another. It can be employed in cases where contextual understandings of behavior will lead to the most appropriate practice