Systems Theories

What is a SYSTEM?
• A set of interrelated & interdependent
objects

• A unit of wholeness with distinct

properties & boundaries differentiating it
from other units
Examples of systems…

• A mechanical system
• Such as an air
conditioning system
• A human system
• Such as the physical body
• A social system
• Such as a family, a small
group, a clan, a tribe
• A governmental system
• Such as a city, a state, a
nation
• An astronomical system
• Such as our solar system
 Among the systems theories are...
Structural Functionalism (Parsons)
Proposed that each part of society is related to the whole
Examined the structure & function of social systems

Ecological Perspective (Germain & Gitterman)

Proposed that human adaptation is based on transactions
between people & their environment
Emphasized adaptation of a population or group & “goodness
of fit”
General Systems Theory (Bertalanffy)
Proposed that human systems are characterized by
development, creativity, & transformation
Dynamic Systems Theory, which explains human development,
is part of general systems theory

Symbolic Interactionism (Mead)

Society is a product of everyday interaction; social order is
constructed through interaction as individuals through shared
meaning, make sense out of their social world
 Structural Functionalism

• is a sociological theory that believes

each of the institutions,
relationships, roles, and norms that
together constitute a society serves a
purpose, and each is indispensable
for the continued existence of the
others and of society as a whole. 
 Components of Functions
• Manifest functions-are recognized and
intended consequences of any social
pattern.

• Latent functions-are the unrecognized

and unintended consequences of any social
pattern.

• Dysfunction-are social patterns’

undesirable consequences.
 Parson’s Functional Imperatives
AGIL SCHEME
•adaptation to the physical and social environment;

•goal attainment, which is the need to define primary

goals and enlist individuals to strive to attain these
goals;

•integration, the coordination of the society or group as

a cohesive whole;

•latency, maintaining the motivation of individuals to

perform their roles according to social expectations.
• Adaptation, or the capacity of society to interact with the
environment. This includes, among other things, gathering
resources and producing commodities to social
redistribution.
• Goal Attainment, or the capability to set goals for the future
and make decisions accordingly. Political resolutions and
societal objectives are part of this necessity.
• Integration, or the harmonization of the entire society is a
demand that the values and norms of society are solid and
sufficiently convergent. This requires, for example, the
religious system to be fairly consistent, and even in a more
basic level, a common language.
• Latency, or latent pattern maintenance, challenges society
to maintain the integrative elements of the integration
requirement above. This means institutions like family and
school, which mediate belief systems and values between an
older generation and its successor.
 For example a tribal system of hunter-
gatherers needs to gather food from the
external world by hunting animals and
gathering other goods (Adaptation). They
need to have a set of goals and a system to
make decisions about such things as when
to migrate to better hunting grounds (Goal
Attainment). The tribe also needs to have a
common belief system that enforces actions
and decisions as the community sees fit
(Integration). Finally there needs to be some
kind of educational system to pass on
hunting and gathering skills and the
common belief system (Latency). If these
prerequisites are met, the tribe can sustain
its existence/survive.
 Central ideas to
all these systems theories...
• Interrelated & interdependent objects create a whole
system
• Each part affects all the other parts within the system
• Subsystems are parts of larger systems
• Boundaries maintain system identity
• Change & stability are created by interactions
among, within, between systems
• Systems tend to maintain & sustain themselves
through achieving homeostasis
 “Adaptation”
• Defined as the process by which a system
copes with external or new internal
demands
• How it secures resources from the
environment
• ways of adjusting oneself or one's
environment to achieve greater comfort;ys
• Systems & their environments inevitably
mutually adapt to each other

• Interdependence affects adaptation

• A change in one system leads to change
in other systems
eone's t;
 “Feedback”

• Defined as information from the environment

to the system about the system’s output or
how the system is functioning
 “Closed” & “Open” Systems

• Systems with rigid

boundaries are closed
to input & closed to
feedback; they
“entropy”
CLOSED SYSTEM
with
• Become increasingly rigid boundaries
stagnant & disorganized
•Systems with porous
boundaries are open to
feedback
•This leads to “synergy”

•“Living organisms are

essentially open
systems” (Bertalanffy) OPEN SYSTEM
with
porous boundaries
•Transactions within or
between systems lead
to increased creativity
• The proposition that one
can get to the same end
from many different
directions

• Different paths lead to the

same end point & there’s
not just one correct
outcome or direction to
take

“Equifinality”