Systems Theories

Although human relationships scholars often refer to systems theory, as if there were only one, there [Page 1619]are, in fact, several systems theories that are relevant to understanding human relationships. Some systems theories examine large groups of people, such as societies, but this entry focuses on systems theories as they have been applied to intimate or close relationships. A general definition of a system is any entity together with relationships between the various parts of the entity and between their attributes.

The conceptual roots of systems theories may be found in a diverse array of disciplinary backgrounds. Although systems theory concepts are not new, predating modern times (e.g., one of the most well-known systems' propositions, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” may be attributed to Aristotle), the development of systems theories can be traced to the mid-20th century. Immediately before World War II and in the decade or so after the war, social and behavioral scientists from psychology (e.g., Kurt Lewin), sociology (e.g., Talcott Parsons, Walter Buckley), family therapy (e.g., Donald Jackson, Nathan Ackerman), communications (Jay Haley), and anthropology (e.g., Gregory Bateson) began borrowing systems concepts from biologists such as Ludwig von Bertalanffy, mathematicians such as Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver, and engineers such as Norbert Weiner and applying these concepts to developing theories about human social systems.

These social and behavioral scientists believed that the principles underlying nonhuman biological systems (e.g., wetlands, frog communities, and even organisms such as bacteria) could be applied to human social systems. Research conducted by Norbert Weiner and others during World War II that focused on the cybernetic, or self-correcting, capabilities of robots and weapon systems also stimulated new thinking about human systems. The definition of systems as any entity whose parts relate to each other and to elements outside of the entity reflect these multidisciplinary roots. Such definitions may indeed apply to frogs and other nonhuman organisms, to inanimate systems, and to intimate human relationships.

Systems theories share certain fundamental assumptions about interpersonal relationships, although they may differ in their focus (i.e., families, social organizations, friendships) and in the relative importance of selected concepts (i.e., power, communication patterns, and goals). The following ideas typically are postulated as universal properties of human social systems by these theories.