Term
|
Definition
One's perspective on the way the world works. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A pattern, an established way of thinking about things. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality. |
|
|
Term
| cause-and-effect relationships |
|
Definition
| A relationship between factors in which one or more factors can be shown to directly cause a change in an additional factor or set. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A relationship between two or more factors that occur together but are not necessarily causituve (such as alcoholism and child abuse). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A way of organizing fact or sets of facts to describe, explain, or predict events. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ability of a theory to consistently explain events in the same way each time they occur. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ability of a theory to use what happens in one situation to explain what happens in other situations. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ability of a theory to be measued accurately and validly. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A social unit that cosists of interdependant, interacting parts. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The combined energy of smaller parts of a larger system that is greater than the sum of the energy of those used. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The limit or extent of a system; the point where one system ends and another begins. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A system whose boundaries are permeated easily. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A system with a boundary that is difficult to permeate; such systems are usually unreceptive to outsiders. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Unavailable energy in a closed system that creates dysfunction within that system and eventually results in the systems inability to function. |
|
|
Term
| Interactions and interrelations |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The constant adjustment of a system moving towards its goal while maintaining order and stability within. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The idea that the final state of a system can be achieved in many differant ways. |
|
|
Term
Microsystems (individual) level |
|
Definition
This includes the individual and all persons and groups that incorporate the individual day-to-day environment. The focus at this level would incorporate the individual’s level of functioning, intellectual and emotional capacities and motivation; the impact of life experiences; and the interactions and connections between that individual and others in the immediate environment. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The level of social environment that incorporates interactions and interrelations among those person, groups, and settings that make up an individual’s Microsystems. |
|
|
Term
Exosystem (community) level |
|
Definition
This level includes community-level factors that may not relate directly to the individual but affect the way the individual functions. This includes factors such as the workplace policies of the parents (if they cannot take sick leave when the child is sick, for example, this policy has an impact on the child), school board and community policies, community attitudes and values, and economic and social factors that exist within the neighborhood and community. |
|
|
Term
| Macrosystem (societal) level |
|
Definition
This level includes societal factors such as the cultural attitudes and values of the society (for example, attitudes toward women, people of color, the poor, and violence); the role of the media in addressing or promoting social problems (some suggest, for example, that the media promote violence and teen pregnancy); and federal legislation and other social policies that affect a given individual. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The fit between a person's needs, rights, goals and capacities and the physical and social enviroment within which the person functions. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity. ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a process to help others increase their personal, interpersonal, or polictical power so they can take action themselves to improve their lives. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Individuals, families, group[s, organizations, or communities at whom intervention is directed to enhance social functioning. |
|
|
