Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
SYSTEMS THEORY AND THE
ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
The biological, psychological, and
sociological influences on human
development
A bio-psycho-social perspective
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HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL
ENVIRONMENT
Andrew T. Nilsson, Ph.D.
Eastern Connecticut State University
Andrew T. Nilsson, Ph.D.
Eastern Connecticut State University
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
THE MEDICAL MODEL
An early model for social work practice
•STUDY
•DIAGNOSIS
•TREATMENT
•CURE
•Assessment
•DSM IV
•Therapy
•Cure?
•Focus on the individual with the problem
•Assumes the professional has the knowledge
and power to cure
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
THE SYSTEMS/ECOLOGICAL PERSPECIVE
BIOLOGICAL ROOTS
•Ecology – The complex relationship between living things
and their environment.
•Symbiosis – Mutual dependence – each part needs each
other part – each takes from and gives to the environment
SOCIAL WORK PERSPECTIVE
• Views person-in-environment; takes focus off the
individual
• Utilizes a bio-psycho-social perspective
• Contributes to a strengths perspective/empowerment
vs.
Deficit and dependency (I’m O.K. – You’re not O.K.)
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
What were the bio-psycho-social factors that had most
influence in making you the person you are today?
•BIOLOGICAL FACTORS?
•PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS?
•SOCIAL FACTORS?
THINK AND SHARE
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003
BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
•Common biological factors:
–Physical appearance; sex; race; age; abilities or disabilities; family
history of inheritable conditions such as cancer, alcoholism,
schizophrenia, depression, etc.
•Do we start with a clean slate?
–No. At birth our slate is already written on by by heredity
–But environmental factors influence the unfolding of biological
development. Einstein would not have become Einstein if he had
been born into a family that could not feed him or who failed to
provide him with intellectual stimulation.
•Is biology destiny?
–The nature-nurture, heredity v. environment debate
–Can we modify biological inheritance? Genetic engineering,
mapping of the human genome, genetic selection