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The state of methods and tools for social systems change

  • Original Paper
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American Journal of Community Psychology

Abstract

The last decade or so has seen an increase in the rate of attention to systems change and the application of multiple theories to study and influence change in systems. This article considers how these theories, described in other articles in this issues, plus theories about complex adaptive systems open opportunities for us to continue to expand our repertoire of tools and methods to address systems change. These conceptual frameworks, tools, and methods are expected to help us increase our capacity to study and influence both planned and self-organizing systems change. New tools and methods have emerged and others are needed to help us continue to explore and influence the complex social systems within which we operate.

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Notes

  1. Methods and tools derive from conceptual frameworks. A “conceptual framework” is a set of ideas, principles, agreements, or rules that shape the behaviors of a person or culture, or how nature, reality, or events are perceived. “Methods” refer to processes or procedures we follow within a particular discipline to acquire new knowledge or carry out a task. “Tools” are various devices or instruments used to carry out tasks.

  2. Additional fields of study that complement and share some characteristics with CAS include chaos theory and dissipative structures. See Stacey (2000) for further information on the relationships among these theories.

  3. See Williams and Imam (2006) for further discussion of the importance of boundaries, perspectives, and interrelationships. See also Olson and Eoyang (2001) for a discussion of a related conceptualization using containers, differences, and exchanges.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. InSites—A Support Network for Educational Change, 1307 Sanford Drive, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA

    Beverly A. Parsons

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  1. Beverly A. Parsons
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Correspondence to Beverly A. Parsons.

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Parsons, B.A. The state of methods and tools for social systems change. Am J Community Psychol 39, 405–409 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-007-9118-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-007-9118-z

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