Chapter 3:

The Ecological/Systems Perspective

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Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 Social Work: A Competency-
Oriented Education

 Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

- Defines Educational Policy and Accreditation
Standards (EPAs)
- Developed 10 “Core Competencies” and 41
Related “Practice Behaviors”
 Every student should master the Practice
Behaviors and Core Competencies before
completing the program

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008

 The Textbook –
- “Helping Hands” icons call attention to content that
relates to Practice Behaviors and Competencies

- “Competency Notes” at the end of the chapter

help put the Practice Behaviors and Competencies
in practical context
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008 (cont’d)

 The Practice Behaviors Workbook developed

with the text provides assignable exercises that
assist in mastering the Practice Behavior and
Competencies

 Additional on-line resources can be found at:

www.cengage.com/socialwork

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Ecological/systems framework
An umbrella framework used by generalist social
work practitioners to understand both social welfare
problems and individual needs and to guide the
various interventions social workers use when
helping clients.

EP2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Impact of frameworks on intervention
Does the framework:
• contribute to preserving/restoring dignity?
• recognize benefits of and celebrate diversity?
• assist in transforming ourselves and society to
recognize strengths?
• help us to reach our fullest potential?
• reflect participation and experiences of diverse
groups and individuals?

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 Causal relationships and association
• Cause-and-effect relationship are not likely when
talking about social welfare and individual problems
• Association, or many factors connected to or
related to problem, rather than one isolated factor,
more appropriate

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 A conceptual framework for understanding
Social welfare problems
• Theory – way of clearly and logically organizing a
set of facts or ideas
• Good theories must be inclusive, capable of being
generalized, and testable
• There are many theories applicable to social
work practice

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 A conceptual framework for understanding
Social welfare problems
• Theory – way of clearly and logically organizing a
set of facts or ideas
• Good theories must be inclusive, capable of being
generalized, and testable
• There are many theories applicable to social
work practice

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

.
 The ecological/systems framework
• Broad “umbrella” framework for understanding
social welfare problems and determining specific
intervention theories to address them
• Allows focus on both person and environment
and interactions between them
• Focuses on both structure (systemic properties)
and interactions (ecology)

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 Systems theory and concepts
• System – entity composed of separate but
interacting and interdependent parts
• Synergy – achieved when all the parts of a system
are working in concert with each other
• Boundary – point at which one system ends and
another begins
• Open system – system with permeable
boundaries

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 Systems Theory and Concepts (cont’d)
• Closed system – system with impermeable
boundaries
• Entropy – closed system that stagnates and
eventually dies
• Steady state - systems are steadily moving
• Equifinality – final state of system is achieved in
many different ways (different interventions can
achieve same results)

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 Ecological/systems perspective
• Incorporates bio-psycho-social- cultural perspectives
of individual
• Incorporates broader environment
• Can define a system/subsystem in many ways
• Allows for use of tools such as “ecomaps” to
determine aspects of person and environment that
create both risk and opportunity for individuals and
communities

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Levels of the environment
• Microsystem – individual and all persons and
groups that incorporate the individual’s day-to-
day environment
• Mesosystem – relationship between two micro-
systems linked by some person who is present in
both

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Levels of the environment (cont’d)
• Exosystem – community factors that may not
relate directly to an individual but affect the way
that person functions
• Macrosystem – “blueprints” for defining and
organizing society, such as societal values

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Problems in living
• All persons experience “problems in living”:
- When experiencing life transitions, such as
getting married and having children
- when interacting with their environments
- When there are maladaptive interpersonal
problems and needs in families in groups
• These patterns must be incorporated in social
work interventions

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Utility of the ecological/systems framework
• Allows one to deal with multiple factors and
relationships between them
• Concepts apply to individuals, families, groups,
organizations, communities, society
• Focuses on transactions between systems
• Views people as actively involved with their
environments and capable of change

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Utility of the ecological/systems framework
• Views systems as goal-oriented and incorporates
client in change process
• Allows a social worker to engage in positive
transactions
• Views change and conflict as part of daily living
• Encourages social workers to be aware of systems
and how change at one level impacts all levels

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Other theories and frameworks
• Psychosocial frameworks
- Psychoanalytic theory
- Ego psychology/life span development
• Cognitive behavioral frameworks
• Political and ideological frameworks
• All other frameworks can be incorporated within the
systems/ecological framework

EP 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 The Generalist Model
• Allows for multiple interventions in working with
clients at the individual, family, group, organizational,
community, or societal level
• Incorporates a knowledge, value, and skills base that
is transferable between and among diverse contexts
and locations
• Incorporates ecological/systems framework and
focuses on fit between person and environment

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

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 Concepts of generalist practice
• Strengths perspective
• Empowerment and resilience
• Social and economic justice
• Social worker is a change agent who uses
helping process to facilitate change in client
or client systems

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.3b, 2.1.7a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 Stages of the helping process
• Dialogue/engagement stage
- Develop relationship
- Define the problem
- Identify preliminary goals
• Discovery/contract stage
- Assess and evaluate needs
- Explore resources and client strengths
- Develop action plans and frame solutions

EP 2.1.3b, 2.1.10 a, b, c
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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 Stages of the helping process
• Development/action stage
- Carry out plan
- Strengthen clients/help them get what they need
- Engage resources
- Monitor plan and adjust as needed
- Terminate when appropriate
- Evaluate change and strategies for continued
success

EP 2.1.3b, 2.1.10 a, b, c
Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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