Luhmann's theory of psychic systems and communication in social work practice

John J Rodger

doi:10.1177/14680173211008107

Abstract

Summary The aim of the article is to increase interest in the social systems theory of Niklas Luhmann among practicing social workers. The enigmatic statement from Luhmann that only ‘communication can communicate’ is explained with reference to his autopoietic systems theory which identifies three distinct types of systems: systems of communication, systems of life and systems of consciousness. The article proceeds to describe the meaning and nature of autopoietic systems before discussing the place of the individual in Luhmann’s theory and how it is relevant for practicing social workers. The concepts of psychic systems, structural coupling and communicative codes are described and discussed. Findings The conceptual framework derived from Luhmann’s systems theory is applied to a description of the social worker/client encounter. Communication in social work practice is polyphonic: it is structured by a hybrid of communicative codes which the practitioner must draw on depending on the auspices of the communicative context. The key conclusion of the article is that Luhmann retains a conception of the individual as an active agent in systems theory aiming ‘noise’ at the function systems with which the individual interacts. Applications The article suggests that the systems perspective presented provides social workers with a useful and nuanced framework for reflective practice because it makes the components of the practice system explicit and visible.

Highlights

The aim of this article is to increase understanding and interest in the social systems theory of Niklas Luhmann among practicing social workers and to aid the process of reflective practice by making the professional toolkit typically used by the social worker in the field more explicit
Applications: The article suggests that the systems perspective presented provides social workers with a useful and nuanced framework for reflective practice because it makes the components of the practice system explicit and visible
What are the implications of Luhmann’s autopoietic systems perspective for social work practice? Because social work practice ‘builds on different kinds of relationships, from intra-personal, inter-personal, intra-organisational, inter-organisational to international’ (O’Leary & Tsui, 2019), it requires a perspective which can integrate the complexities of modern professional practice

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this article is to increase understanding and interest in the social systems theory of Niklas Luhmann among practicing social workers and to aid the process of reflective practice by making the professional toolkit typically used by the social worker in the field more explicit. In the UK, in particular, understanding of Luhmann’s social systems theory is low compared with the high levels of interest in continental Europe (Hojlund, 2009; La Cour & Hojlund, 2008; Michailakis & Schirmer 2014; Schirmer & Michailakis, 2015, 2019; Villadsen, 2008). This is probably to be expected given the extensive history of systems theory in British and American social work which is replete with contested perceptions (see Payne, 2002a). What follows is an attempt to clarify this enigmatic proposition and demonstrate the usefulness of Luhmann’s theory of autopoietic social systems for those researching and practicing social work

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Conclusion