"Today the network of relationships linking the human race to itself and to the rest of the biosphere is so complex that all aspects affect all others to an extraordinary degree. Someone should be studying the whole system, however crudely that has to be done, because no gluing together of partial studies of a complex nonlinear system can give a good idea of the behavior of the whole." - Murray Gell-Mann
This quote provides an excellent example of the idea behind systems theory. In the Human Services Program the CORE sequence deeply examines the systems theory in great depths. The idea of a system can be so broad and so deep at the same time it can be almost impossible to grasp all at once. This program does an excellent job teaching this concept piece by piece allowing the student to understand first how they, as an individual are related to systems, and continuing through to the understanding of how the entire world can be affected by many systems within it. This concept is fascinating to me and I will always incorporate this ideology into my professional work.
SYSTEMS
The concept of systems is just as complex as the human mind. There are millions of pieces that are interconnected in every bit of the systemic structure. One piece that may seem simple at first glance is influenced by millions of other factors, not only in nearby communities, but from communities and people around the globe. My first introduction to this ideology was through environmental courses I took at Everett Community College. I was required to develop an understanding of ecological systems theory and how different species rely on each other to survive and sustain their natural living environment. This can be seen in plant and animal life.
I first began understanding the systems theory in my first quarter at Western Washington University through HSP 301 Human Services Professionals and Personal Systems. My learning in this class stemmed from understanding myself: my values, morals, and belief systems. I started to notice just how complicated systems can be when I analyzed the influential factors my life was built on. I have been influenced by my community (going to public school, having certain government officials in office, family and friend systems, and forced perceptions from the social media) as well as communities around the world (major corporations for product development and distribution, industries searching and distributing resources such as oil and gas, and even through food distribution being farmed in China and shipped to the United States to be sold, eventually to end up eaten). An example of this system can be seen in my learning synthesis.
Once I was able to wrap my mind around the idea of my identity being relative to the influences around me, I was thrown into a broader concept of systems, interpersonal systemic structures. I learned how my personal system is comparative and influential to the people around me. In HSP 303 Human Services Professionals and Interpersonal Systems, I engaged in a dyadic partnership that challenged my communication skills and understanding of how I interact with others. My learning of interpersonal interactions included developing an understanding of personal biases, thoughts and feelings, development of active listening and creative thought, and understanding partnership dynamics (the idea that each person must be flexible and willing to compromise in order for the relationship to be successful). As a developing professional, interpersonal skills play an essential part in human services delivery. These skills can influence client success, demonstrate professionalism, and influence proactive change within policy. This system was discussed in depth through my synthesis paper.
HSP 305 Human Services Professionals and Small Group Systems, covers the next step in systemic ideology – small group systems. The systemic structure of a small group consists of individuals taking on different roles and responsibilities, mutual trust, open communication, and gracious space. Varying roles include leadership/facilitation, observation, and a note taker. All participants practice open communication, trust, and active listening while in the group’s designated working area (gracious space). Small group systemic structure can be seen in my group development and dynamics paper co-written with my small group. In my experience these skills have shown importance when working with event planning, fundraising efforts or when contributing to service delivery and client interactions.
The small group system I was a part of in this course was also influenced by many other systems and factors within them. Each person’s individual system comes into play and shapes the reasoning behind the roles and responsibilities they take on. For example, I often take on the role of the leader because I feel more secure knowing all the details, this can relate back to growing up in such a hectic environment and not knowing what could happen next. Organizational systems can also play a role in the development and sustainability of a small group system. In this case, the University system is one of the reasons this small group exists. Without the University there would be no Human Services Program, therefore no small group activity. Small groups are frequently influenced by systems much larger and smaller than themselves. To perpetuate this system, both larger and smaller systems need to be in congruence with each other and willing to work together to make healthy relationships within the group.
Every system consists of inputs and outputs to help it perpetuate. It isn't until one part of the system is altered in which it is prevented from continuing. Even in this situation, the system will not stop; it will adjust to the available resources. Organizations are a larger type of system that is made up of the systems of individual people. The American Red Cross for example is its own system. As I reported in HSP 402 Human Services Professionals and Organizational Systems, this system has both inputs and outputs as with every other system variation. Organizations are created through funding, public support, need, materials, and technology; these can be considered the American Red Cross's system's inputs. This organization produces many services due to these resources including Disaster Services, Disaster Preparedness, Service to the Armed Forces, and First Aid Station Team. These services can be considered the system outputs. As the need for these services continues, the American Red Cross organizational system will continue to perpetuate. This example can be seen in depth in my Research Report on the American Red Cross.
Communities around the world are also systems with a structure all their own. A community can be seen as a group of individuals living in the same area and can be viewed as neighborhoods, towns/cities, states, or nations. These systems are developed in part by the organizational and personal systems within them. The best way to analyze this systemic structure is to look at an individual community, such as the United States, and learn about the influential pieces of its success. Throughout HSP 404 Human Services Professionals and Community Systems I focused my learning on human rights within the United States and advocated for the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I learned that although the United States played a vital role in the creation and development of this universal declaration, they continue to allow armed forces to use various methods of torture and leave deportation and harassment as the ideal way to work with immigrants. The system of human rights is, unfortunately, perpetuated by the need equal rights. My policy brief is a prime example of this system.
Global systems are the broadest and most complex compared to any other. These systems include anything and everything all at once working together. It can begin with a blade of grass affecting the success of major corporations and in turn the sustainability of the Earth's resources – this is an excellent example of how large this system is. To examine this concept a little deeper: the grass feeds the cow, the cow feeds the people, the people work together to establish corporations and governments, governments and corporations utilize land and people from around the world to develop goods, these goods are made from materials that are made from resources found in the Earth (trees, dirt, oil, rock, minerals), and the cycle continues. Systems large and small are influential in global systems. This structure is more difficult to imagine unless you have already been trained to look at the small systemic ideologies (personal, interpersonal, organizational, or community systems). In the Human Services it is essential to understand this last variation of system as it demonstrates the complexity of the world and challenges the professional to deeply examine service delivery and all the systems it can be affected by. My understanding of this system can be seen in my Global Sex Trafficking poster.
Based on my understanding of systems, initiating and sustaining change can be complicated. The first step in this process is to develop an understanding of how they are all interconnected. Personal systems can relate to global systems and vice versa. Once this understanding is developed, as expressed in the previous paragraphs, I can begin the process to create change by advocating for a cause I am passionate about. However, due to the many influential systems involved in creating global change, this can become complicated, which provides reason for critically thinking about the change I wish to make. To sustain the change I wish to see in the world is a little more detailed. Sustaining anything requires the knowledge of how the system and processes work, taking that understanding, and ensuring what you do only affects particular areas of that system. As a change agent it is important to be sensitive and aware of how your actions can affect the systems it is involved in, and as a developing professional I know this is something that needs to be incorporated into all that I do.
Systems can be as complex as the entities within them. This is evident in the case of individual people and entire nations. A system can also be as simple as your understanding of them. Everything is interconnected. My knowledge of systemic structures has stemmed from both in class and personal experiences. My internships at the American Red Cross and the Department of Child and Family Services have influenced my understanding by immersing me in systems larger than myself. Understanding systems can reflect in human services delivery through understanding and consideration for diverse clients and policies.
Standard 11: The curriculum shall include the historical development of human services.
Standard 12: The curriculum shall include knowledge and theory of the interaction of human systems including: individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal.
Standard 13: The curriculum shall address the scope of conditions that promote or inhibit human functioning.
Standard 16: The curriculum shall provide knowledge and skills in direct service delivery and appropriate interventions.
Standard 17: Learning experiences shall be provided for the student to develop his or her interpersonal skills.
Standard 18: The curriculum shall provide knowledge, theory, and skills in the administrative aspects of the services delivery system.
Standard 19: The curriculum shall incorporate human services values and attitudes and promote understanding of human services ethics and their application in practice.
Standard 20: The program shall provide experiences and support to enable students to develop awareness of their own values, personalities, reaction patterns, interpersonal styles, and limitations.
I first began understanding the systems theory in my first quarter at Western Washington University through HSP 301 Human Services Professionals and Personal Systems. My learning in this class stemmed from understanding myself: my values, morals, and belief systems. I started to notice just how complicated systems can be when I analyzed the influential factors my life was built on. I have been influenced by my community (going to public school, having certain government officials in office, family and friend systems, and forced perceptions from the social media) as well as communities around the world (major corporations for product development and distribution, industries searching and distributing resources such as oil and gas, and even through food distribution being farmed in China and shipped to the United States to be sold, eventually to end up eaten). An example of this system can be seen in my learning synthesis.
Once I was able to wrap my mind around the idea of my identity being relative to the influences around me, I was thrown into a broader concept of systems, interpersonal systemic structures. I learned how my personal system is comparative and influential to the people around me. In HSP 303 Human Services Professionals and Interpersonal Systems, I engaged in a dyadic partnership that challenged my communication skills and understanding of how I interact with others. My learning of interpersonal interactions included developing an understanding of personal biases, thoughts and feelings, development of active listening and creative thought, and understanding partnership dynamics (the idea that each person must be flexible and willing to compromise in order for the relationship to be successful). As a developing professional, interpersonal skills play an essential part in human services delivery. These skills can influence client success, demonstrate professionalism, and influence proactive change within policy. This system was discussed in depth through my synthesis paper.
HSP 305 Human Services Professionals and Small Group Systems, covers the next step in systemic ideology – small group systems. The systemic structure of a small group consists of individuals taking on different roles and responsibilities, mutual trust, open communication, and gracious space. Varying roles include leadership/facilitation, observation, and a note taker. All participants practice open communication, trust, and active listening while in the group’s designated working area (gracious space). Small group systemic structure can be seen in my group development and dynamics paper co-written with my small group. In my experience these skills have shown importance when working with event planning, fundraising efforts or when contributing to service delivery and client interactions.
The small group system I was a part of in this course was also influenced by many other systems and factors within them. Each person’s individual system comes into play and shapes the reasoning behind the roles and responsibilities they take on. For example, I often take on the role of the leader because I feel more secure knowing all the details, this can relate back to growing up in such a hectic environment and not knowing what could happen next. Organizational systems can also play a role in the development and sustainability of a small group system. In this case, the University system is one of the reasons this small group exists. Without the University there would be no Human Services Program, therefore no small group activity. Small groups are frequently influenced by systems much larger and smaller than themselves. To perpetuate this system, both larger and smaller systems need to be in congruence with each other and willing to work together to make healthy relationships within the group.
Every system consists of inputs and outputs to help it perpetuate. It isn't until one part of the system is altered in which it is prevented from continuing. Even in this situation, the system will not stop; it will adjust to the available resources. Organizations are a larger type of system that is made up of the systems of individual people. The American Red Cross for example is its own system. As I reported in HSP 402 Human Services Professionals and Organizational Systems, this system has both inputs and outputs as with every other system variation. Organizations are created through funding, public support, need, materials, and technology; these can be considered the American Red Cross's system's inputs. This organization produces many services due to these resources including Disaster Services, Disaster Preparedness, Service to the Armed Forces, and First Aid Station Team. These services can be considered the system outputs. As the need for these services continues, the American Red Cross organizational system will continue to perpetuate. This example can be seen in depth in my Research Report on the American Red Cross.
Communities around the world are also systems with a structure all their own. A community can be seen as a group of individuals living in the same area and can be viewed as neighborhoods, towns/cities, states, or nations. These systems are developed in part by the organizational and personal systems within them. The best way to analyze this systemic structure is to look at an individual community, such as the United States, and learn about the influential pieces of its success. Throughout HSP 404 Human Services Professionals and Community Systems I focused my learning on human rights within the United States and advocated for the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I learned that although the United States played a vital role in the creation and development of this universal declaration, they continue to allow armed forces to use various methods of torture and leave deportation and harassment as the ideal way to work with immigrants. The system of human rights is, unfortunately, perpetuated by the need equal rights. My policy brief is a prime example of this system.
Global systems are the broadest and most complex compared to any other. These systems include anything and everything all at once working together. It can begin with a blade of grass affecting the success of major corporations and in turn the sustainability of the Earth's resources – this is an excellent example of how large this system is. To examine this concept a little deeper: the grass feeds the cow, the cow feeds the people, the people work together to establish corporations and governments, governments and corporations utilize land and people from around the world to develop goods, these goods are made from materials that are made from resources found in the Earth (trees, dirt, oil, rock, minerals), and the cycle continues. Systems large and small are influential in global systems. This structure is more difficult to imagine unless you have already been trained to look at the small systemic ideologies (personal, interpersonal, organizational, or community systems). In the Human Services it is essential to understand this last variation of system as it demonstrates the complexity of the world and challenges the professional to deeply examine service delivery and all the systems it can be affected by. My understanding of this system can be seen in my Global Sex Trafficking poster.
Based on my understanding of systems, initiating and sustaining change can be complicated. The first step in this process is to develop an understanding of how they are all interconnected. Personal systems can relate to global systems and vice versa. Once this understanding is developed, as expressed in the previous paragraphs, I can begin the process to create change by advocating for a cause I am passionate about. However, due to the many influential systems involved in creating global change, this can become complicated, which provides reason for critically thinking about the change I wish to make. To sustain the change I wish to see in the world is a little more detailed. Sustaining anything requires the knowledge of how the system and processes work, taking that understanding, and ensuring what you do only affects particular areas of that system. As a change agent it is important to be sensitive and aware of how your actions can affect the systems it is involved in, and as a developing professional I know this is something that needs to be incorporated into all that I do.
Systems can be as complex as the entities within them. This is evident in the case of individual people and entire nations. A system can also be as simple as your understanding of them. Everything is interconnected. My knowledge of systemic structures has stemmed from both in class and personal experiences. My internships at the American Red Cross and the Department of Child and Family Services have influenced my understanding by immersing me in systems larger than myself. Understanding systems can reflect in human services delivery through understanding and consideration for diverse clients and policies.
Standard 11: The curriculum shall include the historical development of human services.
Standard 12: The curriculum shall include knowledge and theory of the interaction of human systems including: individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal.
Standard 13: The curriculum shall address the scope of conditions that promote or inhibit human functioning.
Standard 16: The curriculum shall provide knowledge and skills in direct service delivery and appropriate interventions.
Standard 17: Learning experiences shall be provided for the student to develop his or her interpersonal skills.
Standard 18: The curriculum shall provide knowledge, theory, and skills in the administrative aspects of the services delivery system.
Standard 19: The curriculum shall incorporate human services values and attitudes and promote understanding of human services ethics and their application in practice.
Standard 20: The program shall provide experiences and support to enable students to develop awareness of their own values, personalities, reaction patterns, interpersonal styles, and limitations.