Impact of System Theory on Social Policy Essay

At the present moment different social theories are used in order to describe victimization.  Depending on the approach  and main assumption of these theories, they describe it from different perspectives.   System theory examines everything as a system unite. It can be applied to different fields of knowledge. It investigates the functioning of the system as a hole and its separate components.  Introduced by Hegel in the 19th century,  system theory is used in many disciplines, including social science and victimology (System theory, 2004).  “Social workers were attracted to the systems perspective in the 1960s, as they shifted from a psychiatric model to onethat was moreinclusive of environment” (Hutchison,2010, p. 39). System theory  views human behavior as a result of interaction of people and views this interaction as a result of functioning of social system. This theory investigates components of different systems. It can view anything as a system and define its components. System can be viewed on the level of separate individuals, family, organizations, communities, cultures and societies.  All components of the system act in a way to keep the system stable.

System perspective can view a person as a system and define different parts of human personality which make him inclined to become a criminal or a victim. It can also investigate a family as a system. In this case, the reasons of person’s becoming a victim can be traced in family history.

In general, system theory defines each social entity as ‘holon’. Holon, a Greek word, is used to define something as a part and as a whole at the same time. By using this term, System theory  underlines that each system is a combination of its parts and a whole unite at the same time. “The systems perspective sees human behavior as the outcome of reciprocal interactions of persons operating within linked social systems” (Hutchison, 2010, p. 38). Each system is a whole element, at the same time it can be a part of the bigger system. For example, a person is a whole system, but it is also a component of a  family system, and family is a component of the society, and so on.  It is important to know that System approach defines  any system as a whole and as a part at the same time. This way certain duality is created. This duality helps to trace origins of human behavior. Most of the theories take polar positions,  stating that the reasons of human behaviors are either inherited or acquired during social interaction. System approach agrees both. It believes that behavioral patterns are acquired genetically and influenced by social surrounding.  This way, victimization  is both, inherited and acquired characteristic.

System theory  investigates system as a unite and its components in order to understand the way it functions. In the case of victimology, it investigates the system, in which criminal behavior appears; important components of this system and interaction between them. An offender and a victim are always  parts of one system. Collecting and investigating information about this system can give clues to the understanding the nature of victimization.  Offender and victims not only belong to one system, but are also connected by certain kinds of relations. The System theory makes it possible to define connections and relations between the victim and the offender.  So, victim is studies not separately, but in context and additional information gives an opportunity to get a better understanding about the origin of victimization. System approach takes into account  factors, which are often omitted by other theories. It studies victim’s relations in all complexity and in some cases it can give clues to understanding the situation.

 

References

Hutchison,  E. D.,  (2010). Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment,  SagePublications; 4th ed..

System theory. (2004). Retrieved from

http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory clusters/Communication Processes/System_Theory.doc/index.ht

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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