A person's environment can be seen as a social system, with several characteristic variables, in which the person functions with others. Human beings form social systems. They are mutually dependent members of these systems. Nothing is naturally laid down in social systems. Their origin, operation and meaning are derived from the joint choices of the members who form the systems.
Social systems make human functioning possible.
Sometimes certain social systems are really disastrous for the development of one or more persons and these people become 'sick' through living in such a system. Sometimes a person cannot function within an in itself healthy social system. This can come to the point where this one person can create a situation in which none of the members this system can function properly. In both cases clinical assistance may be necessary. The clinic can be seen as a social system to which people are admitted for a short or longer period of time, in order to learn how to deal with themselves and others and to reduce their disturbing behavior.