Understanding and changing social systems: An ecological view

Elaborates a conceptual framework for putting an ecological perspective into practice. Eight concepts about the structures and processes of social systems (and their interactions) are surveyed. The latter part of the chapter then discusses concepts from two other perspectives: open-systems theory and developmental theory. Thus, the connections between ecological concepts are illustrated. It is hoped that this elaboration of the ecological perspective will enhance the work of community psychologists to generate lasting, growth-promoting, and systemic changes