General system theory as a framework for biopsychosocial research and practice in mental health

Abstract

The study of such complex issues as mind functioning and mental health requires a multilevel approach. The general system theory elaborated by Ludwig von Bertalanffy in the first half of the twentieth century can still be viewed as a landmark contribution to address these issues scientifically. His seminal work represents an incomparable conceptual framework for understanding how biological, psychological and social dimensions are causally interrelated. The biopsychosocial approach informed by this theory should allow, at least in principle, to interpret mental and physical aspects as integral features of a multilayered interplay between genetic constraints, developmental trajectories and life contexts. In spite of this potentiality, however, most of modern interpretations of biological and psychological processes are still relying almost exclusively on reductionist theories. This entails reducing the complexity of many developmental processes to the laws of interactions and to their sustaining mechanisms, rather than considering them as parts of larger wholes worth of being approached trans-disciplinarily as emergent relationships. In this paper, we aim at reexamining the general system theory in relation to the biological issues that have provided the conceptual foundations for a variety of psychological constructs and, secondly, to show how several of von Bertalanffy's original ideas may still be further elaborated to yield more advanced theories of mind and learning.

Systems thinking and the biopsychosocial approach: A multilevel framework for patient‐centred care

“…Some have also criticized it for an alleged vagueness or scarce utility (Ghaemi, 2009), and much more must be done to really exploit its potential (Fröhlich et al, 2018; Melchert, 2015). For this purpose, we need to go straight to the backbone of the biopsychosocial approach, which lays in general system theory and its further developments (Tramonti, Giorgi, & Fanali, 2019; Tretter, 2019; von Bertalanffy, 1967).…”

Ludwig von Bertalanffy and his enduring relevance: Celebrating 50 years General System Theory

“…Tramonti et al () argue that the Bertalanffyian insights have lost nothing of their relevance in the modern fields studying mental functioning and mental health. In contrast to some of the present reductionist interpretations of many developmental processes in these fields, the biopsychosocial approach inspired by von Bertalanffy underscores the multiple dimensions of biological, psychological, and social complexity as well as the multilayered interaction between genetic constraints, developmental trajectories, and life contexts.…”

“…In contrast to some of the present reductionist interpretations of many developmental processes in these fields, the biopsychosocial approach inspired by von Bertalanffy underscores the multiple dimensions of biological, psychological, and social complexity as well as the multilayered interaction between genetic constraints, developmental trajectories, and life contexts. In a comment on Tramonti's et al () argument, Froehlich () draws on the Bertalanffyian General Systems Theory in order to discuss the possibility of a non‐reductionist interpretation of the concept of elements.…”

Applying a general systems theory framework in mental health treatment pathways: the case of the Hellenic Center of Mental Health and Research

“…The foundation of General Systems Theory (GST) as this was introduced by Ludwig von Bertalanffy [15] have been recently brought into spotlight by Tramonti et al [16] in an effort to re-examine the understanding of mental processes and psychological functioning along with the conceptual foundations for a variety of psychological constructs. The most commonly used derivative of GST is the Biopsychosocial (BPS) model, which is commonly mentioned in mental health care [17,18] along with its criticism [19].…”