Usefulness of General Systems Theory in Social Work Practice

2017 ◽  
pp. 250-258
Author(s):  
J. Paul Gallant ◽  
Bruce A. Thyer
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
General Systems Theory ◽  
General Systems

Hearn, Gordon

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Longres
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
General Systems Theory ◽  
State University ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
General Systems ◽  
Portland State University ◽  
Human Relations Training

Gordon Hearn (1914–1979) was an influential theoretician and group worker who introduced general systems theory into social work. He taught and wrote in the field of human relations training at Berkeley and Portland State University.

scholarly journals On the formation of the general theory of crime

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-201
Author(s):  
A V Holopov
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Theoretical Description ◽  
Criminological Theory ◽  
General Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Object ◽  
General Theory Of Crime ◽  
General Systems ◽  
Theory Of Crime

The article is devoted to the cognition of crime as a complex object (phenomenon), which has the nature of a system. The crime is analyzed from the point of view of the theory of cognition and general systems theory (system approach). Problems of crime cognition are discussed on the examples from the public prosecutor’s work practice. The author treats criminological theory of crime as a basis for the formation of the general theory of crime. Resting on the general systems theory the author describes crime from the perspective of cybernetic and synergetic approach. The author proposes that the general theory of crime should embrace the theories of crime developed in criminology, forensic and criminal legal studies, as long as they adopt the general systems theory for their theoretical description of crime.

scholarly journals Luhmann's theory of psychic systems and communication in social work practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 146801732110081
Author(s):  
John J Rodger
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Autopoietic Systems ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual

Summary The aim of the article is to increase interest in the social systems theory of Niklas Luhmann among practicing social workers. The enigmatic statement from Luhmann that only ‘communication can communicate’ is explained with reference to his autopoietic systems theory which identifies three distinct types of systems: systems of communication, systems of life and systems of consciousness. The article proceeds to describe the meaning and nature of autopoietic systems before discussing the place of the individual in Luhmann’s theory and how it is relevant for practicing social workers. The concepts of psychic systems, structural coupling and communicative codes are described and discussed. Findings The conceptual framework derived from Luhmann’s systems theory is applied to a description of the social worker/client encounter. Communication in social work practice is polyphonic: it is structured by a hybrid of communicative codes which the practitioner must draw on depending on the auspices of the communicative context. The key conclusion of the article is that Luhmann retains a conception of the individual as an active agent in systems theory aiming ‘noise’ at the function systems with which the individual interacts. Applications The article suggests that the systems perspective presented provides social workers with a useful and nuanced framework for reflective practice because it makes the components of the practice system explicit and visible.

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