course material

1. Socw 6210 wek 11 | SOCW 6210 – Human Behavior and the Social
Environment II | Walden University
Application of Theoretical Perspectives – Part 2As you approach this final week of your
coursework in HSBE II, you may reflect on your increased understanding of human
development. You have explored the bio-psycho-social development of individuals at all
stages of the life span. You have applied personal and environmental concepts and theories
to social work cases and to social work in general.This week, you complete assignments that
allow you to apply your increased understanding of life-span development. You apply a
systems perspective to social work practice and consider how the application of a systems
perspective might contribute to advocacy and social change.Learning ObjectivesStudents
will:Apply a systems perspective to social workAnalyze the influence of a systems
perspective on social work practicePhoto Credit: [scyther5]/[iStock / Getty Images
Plus]/Getty ImagesLearning ResourcesNote: To access this week’s required library
resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials
section of your Syllabus.Required ReadingsZastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016).
Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston,
MA: Cengage Learning.Chapter 1, “Introduction to Human Behavior and the Social
Environment” (pp. 11-54)Larsson, S., & Sjöblom, Y. (2010). Perspectives on narrative
methods in social work research. International Journal of Social Welfare, 19(3), 272–
280.Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.Plummer, S. -B.,
Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year.
Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-
reader].“Working With People With Disabilities: The Case of Lester” (pp. 31–33)Note: This
text is available as an eBook (electronic book). It will be provided to you via an email from
the Walden University book store.Pack, M. (2011). Discovering an integrated framework for
practice: a qualitative investigation of theories used by social workers working as sexual
abuse therapists. Journal of Social Work Practice, 25(1), 79–93.Note: You will access this
article from the Walden Library databases.Roscoe, K., Carson, A. M., & Madoc-Jones, L.
(2011). Narrative social work: Conversations between theory and practice. Journal of Social
Work Practice, 25(1), 47–61.Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library
databases.Savaya, R., & Gardner, F. (2012). Critical reflection to identify gaps between
espoused theory and theory-in-use. Social Work, 57(2), 145–154.Note: You will access this
article from the Walden Library databases.Optional ResourcesUse the link below to access

2. the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.MSW home
pageDiscussion: Systems Perspective and Social ChangeZastrow and Kirst-Ashman (2016)
stated, “Clients are affected by and in constant dynamic interactions with other systems,
including families, groups, organizations, and communities” (p. 35-36). As a social worker,
when you address the needs of an individual client, you also take into account the systems
with which the client interacts. Obtaining information about these systems helps you better
assess your client’s situation. These systems may provide support to the client, or they may
contribute to the client’s presenting problem.For this Discussion, review “Working With
People With Disabilities: The Case of Lester.”Consider the systems with which Lester
Johnson, the client, interacts. Think about ways you might apply a systems perspective to
his case. Also, consider the significance of the systems perspective for social work in
general.By Day 3Post a Discussion in which you explain how multiple systems interact to
impact individuals. Explain how you, as a social worker, might apply a systems perspective
to your work with Lester Johnson. Finally, explain how you might apply a systems
perspective to social work practice.By Day 5Read a selection of your colleagues’
posts.Respond to at least two colleagues in one of the following ways:Critique your
colleague’s suggestion about how to apply a systems perspective to Lester Johnson’s
case.Identify one way that a concept in your colleague’s post might contribute towards
advocacy and social change.Discuss how you might apply the empowerment and strengths
approach to one of the concepts your colleague has presented. Kate Fullmer RE: Discussion
– Week 11COLLAPSEAccording to Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman, “Every individual included in
a system maintains a role within that system. We all have many roles because we are
involved in multiple systems.” (P.28). This can explain how multiple systems interact to
impact individuals. Also according to Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman, “A system can be defined
as a set of elements that are connected to make a function whole.” (P.23). Systems can
include our families, our jobs, education, and our community. All of these systems that are a
part of of our daily lives impacts who we are as individuals. Applying a systems perspective
in the case of Lester: Lester has experienced a traumatic event that has impacted his
physical capabilities and health. I would first look at his support system, assessing the
subsystem which would be his children in this case. Lester’s children have not visited him
while he is receiving treatment, have only made contact via phone. His sister in law is the
most supportive who visits daily and assists with managing his care. The family system and
how it functions is something important to assess to get a better idea of Lester’s
relationships. I would also look at what his home life is like to assess the system stability,
which is known as homeostasis. It also is important to be mindful of the many roles Lester
plays within all of his daily systems. Lester lost his wife due to breast cancer and
experienced a problem with alcohol which he addressed. Lester works as an electrician and
is also an active member of church. These are examples of Lester’s roles in life. Applying a
systems perspective to social work practice: Looking at the individual’s systems and the
roles they play among those systems is essential to assessing the needs of the client. This
will provide insight to personal relationships, home life, employment, hobbies, religion,
morals, and goals. This is a particularly helpful perspective for social work practice when
working at a Micro level. References: Kirst-Ashman, K. & Zastrow, C. (2016). Understanding

3. Human Behavior & the Social Environment. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Mandaline
LathamHow multiple systems interact to impact individuals: Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman
(2016) state that “every individual in a system maintains a role within that system” and
their individuals roles in the system is fluid as we are involved in a number of different
systems (pg. 28). The number of different systems interacts with one another as more often
than not they are all interconnected and have an impact on the individual. For example, an
individual is part of a family system as well as an employer system. Their roles in each
system are different, but still interact with one another as they go to work to provide for
their family and/or may have to miss work due to familial obligations.Apply a systems
perspective to your work with Lester Johnson: Lester Johnson suffered a traumatic event
when he was involved in a road accident. It is important to look at the systems Lester is a
part of and his role in each one. Lester does have a family, but seems to only receive
limited/little support. Lester does work as an electrician and therefore has an
employer/work system. He is involved with the church, which is another example of a
system he associates with. All of these systems serve a different purpose for Lester and his
role in each one is different compared to the other.Explain how you might apply a systems
perspective to social work practice: When working in the social work field, one can apply
the systems perspective in how they look at the major aspects/influencers in a client’s life.
This will help in creating obtainable and relevant treatment goals. Furthermore, it will
provide the social worker with more insight in the clients life such as their relationships,
environment, hobbies, and values.Kirst-Ashman, K. & Zastrow, C. (2016). Understanding
Human Behavior & the Social Environment. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.