1. Introduction
2. Organization of the Course
3. Systemic Approaches to Human Behavior
4. Bioecological Model
5. Contexts
6. Influence
7. Family Life Cycle Model
8. Approach
9. Jay Haley
10. Why look at transitions?
11. Life Events Precipitate Change
12. Two Types of Family Changes
13. Dysfunctional Families
14. Stressors on Family System
15. Six Stages of Predictable Family Changes
16. Thought Questions
17. Timing and Dysfunction in This Systems Model
18. Lesson 1A Assignments

Organization of the Course

The course will be organized around these systems views to illustrate how psychology has addressed psychopathology and behavioral difficulties at various system's level.

These frameworks were chosen as they allow some flexibility and present a more modern view of psychological science in action (i.e., psychological interventions are evident in each level of society from interventions addressing individuals and families to ones that focus on whole communities or parts of communities (e.g., the Moving to Opportunity studies that were funded with welfare reform. Families were moved to better neighborhoods and the impact on parental and child functioning was examined).

Objectives:

1. Learn two frameworks that are used to understand human behavior in psychological science.
2. Learn how to identify the various systems in which humans are embedded and begin to consider their impact.
3. Learn how to apply elements of these frameworks to everyday behavior.

On the following pages you will find information that is meant to go along with your reading material for this lesson.