Ch. 2: Conceptual Foundations - General Systems Theory Flashcards
(40 cards)
Ludwig von Bertalanffy
- father of GST
- life was found in “organisms”: a self-regulating form of life with mutually dependent, interactive parts of subsystems
- An organism as an open system engaged in continuous inflow and outflow of energy/info with its enviornment
The family therapy movement has its foundations in what two independent but related theoretical paradigms?
GST and cybernetics
Who was the father of cybernetics?
- Bateson
- interested in self-correcting systems
- viewed communication as the means through which systems maintain themselves through positive and negative feedback loops
- focused on paradoxical communication styles
GST basics
- von Bertalanffy was the founder
- the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
- global and expansive and not reductionist
- roots in biology and cybernetics
- the whole has characteristics and properties (“emergents”) that are not present in its parts
What key family therapy concepts have emerged from von Bertalanffy GST?
- equifinality
- equipotentiality
- isomorphism
- the ripple effect
- boundaries
- hierarchy
- subsystem
General living systems theory
- James Miller
- theory rests on principle of isomorphism
- GLST has been applied to all living systems from simple cells to human groups
Isomorphism
2 or more systems or subsystems exhibit similar or parallel characteristics, especially in supervision when roles and interactions between therapist and supervisor mimic those of the family being discussed. For example, a therapist seeing a family that rejects all suggestions for change becomes similarly rejecting of his/her supervisor’s suggestions.
Cybernetics
- interested in organization, pattern, and process
- refers to the control mechanisms that provide feedback to the primary system
Cybernetics: Term: Boundary interface
the regions between each subsystem of the family and between the family and the suprasystem. The interfaced is referred to as the familial boundary
- therapist functions in the boundary interface between family and environment
Cybernetics: Types of boundaries
rigid, clear, or diffuse
Cybernetics: Boundary: open system v. closed system
- open: interact relatively freely with the environment
- closed: more isolated and resist such interaction with environment
Cybernetics: How do families manage their boundaries?
Models and maps. Ts need to be able to understand these in order to negotiate and alter family boundaries
Cybernetics: Circular or mutual causality
the relationship in which A and B do, say or feel mutually influence one or another
- “it doesn’t matter whether the chicken or the egg came first. They interact in a mutual circle of causality”
Cybernetics: Entropy
refers to a system’s tendency to break down that, over time, threatens the survival of the system
Cybernetics: Negative entropy
- Is a systemic state that emerges when a system is balanced between openness and closedness
- info is allowed to enter the system, and change can occur when appropriate.
Cybernetics: Equifinality
The idea that an organism or system can reach a certain end state from a variety of different sources, conditions, and means or from different initial states
example: depression may stem from bio imbalance or from trauma
Cybernetics: Equipotentiality
different end states can occur from the same initial conditions
Example: a single traumatic event may result in PTSD. OR it may have little impact or lead to growth.
Cybernetics: Feedback loops
- core of cybernetics
- a circular mechanism whereby feedback is introduced into the system in a lopping chain of events that influence one another
- feedback occurs from outside the system and input occurs from within the system
- positive and negative
Cybernetics: Positive feedback loop (amplifying)
Mechanisms by which families respond to changes or deviations in homeostasis. Positive feedback loops attempt to change the system from its steady state to a new steady state. It exacerbates the reaction.
Example: kid is throwing a tantrum. Parent responds and starts screaming at kid to stop. Kids tantrum gets worse. Thus, the deviation from homeostatis increases.
Cybernetics: Negative feedback loop (attenuating)
Corrective information that flows back into the family system that services to minimize deviation, keep the system functioning within prescribed limits, and discourage change
Example: Thermostat. When outside temp drops below inside temp (passes the “limit”), the heat turns on until pre-set temp is reached (back to homeostasis)
Example: Kid is throwing a tantrum and passes the limit. Parent reacts to bring the behavior back to homeostasis. When the child stops acting out the parents response ceases.
Cybernetics: Homeostasis
The tendency of a system to resist change and maintain equilibrium/steady state.
- maintained by negative feedback loops
- emerged from cybernetics
- Don Jackson emerged principally from cybernetics
Cybernetics: Metaphor
Symbolic representation that captures the basic and essential features of an object or event by using a description of a different category of objects or events.
Cybernetics: Morphogenesis
- Describes a system’s tendency towards growth, creativity, change, and innovation
- similar to amplifying feedback looks in that they bring the values of behavior into new ranges.
Cybernetics: Morphostasis
- Describes a system’s tendency towards stability
- function similarly to attenuating feedback loops
- both reduce any deviation from existing values or established system goals
