Exam 1 Flashcards
(189 cards)
Murray Bowen
Family Systems Theory Theorist/Practitioners.
Psychologist. Research on families of children with schizophrenia.
Importance of the ability to differentiate oneself from his or her family
Family Systems Theory Key Concepts
Individual personalities and patterns of interactions among family members have their origins in previous generations
Family systems theory key concept
Relationships are conflictual and depend upon a third-party to mediate, the idea of triangles
Family systems theory key concept
Anxiety is a normal emotion that can lead to differentiation of the self, emotional reactivity, and emotional fusion
Family systems theory key concept
Bowen believed that children’s birth order affected their personality
Family systems theory key concept
Parental projection is a main source of family anxiety
Family systems theory Description of the models hypothesis regarding client distress/symptoms/clinical formulation
Emotional cutoff is the result of a family member’s emotional fusion to another member; said member is usually unaware of the fusion
Family systems theory Description of the models hypothesis regarding client distress/symptoms/clinical formulation
Change occurs through detriangulation and when new relationships are built between family members
Family systems theory -Discussion of how change occurs -specific goals/interventions/focus of therapy/application of clinical formulation
*Structural Family theory is also acceptable because it is under the umbrella of FST and uses this concept, as well.
Family therapist is given broad intervention strategies, not specific guidelines
Family systems theory Discussion of how change occurs -specific goals/interventions/focus of therapy/application of clinical formulation
*Structural Family Theory is also acceptable
Social worker acts as a coach watching the family’s interactions from the sidelines as well as a model of rational interaction
Family systems theory Discussion of how change occurs -specific goals/interventions/focus of therapy/application of clinical formulation
Therapist helps lower family anxiety, facilitates family members ability to self reflect and share concerns, identifies triangles and helps deregulate them
Family systems theory Discussion of how change occurs -specific goals/interventions/focus of therapy/application of clinical formulation
*Structural family theory also identifies triangles
Use of genogram to give the family insight into their functioning as a unit
Family systems theory Discussion of how change occurs -specific goals/interventions/focus of therapy/application of clinical formulation
Social worker engages the family in person-situation reflection that focuses on the present, as well as developmental reflection that focuses on the history of the family and its patterns
Family systems theory Discussion of how change occurs -specific goals/interventions/focus of therapy/application of clinical formulation
The idea that birth order is the sole indicator of personality development has been debunked
Family Systems theory: discussion of the supporting evidence or lack thereof
This theory is very difficult to operationalize and Bowen did not believe the empirical studies were a good measure of the therapy’s effectiveness
Family Systems theory: discussion of the supporting evidence or lack thereof
Research on this theory has included single case studies, and small samples that focus on the process rather than the outcome; such studies demonstrated this theory’s effectiveness with families in adoption, cancer, substance abuse, and immigration
Family Systems theory: discussion of the supporting evidence or lack thereof
This theory has a male bias and does not acknowledge the difference between male and female roles in the family. This theory favors the idea of separation over connection, which can lead to women being seen as enmeshed
Family Systems theory: Reflection, where applicable, of ethical issues to the theory might raise or address
According to this theory, enmeshment and triangulation are often negative. However, some clients may not agree and in fact cherish the closeness they share with their family. This theory’s therapists may push their own beliefs about family dynamics onto their clients, which is unethical
Family Systems theory: Reflection, where applicable, of ethical issues to the theory might raise or address
This theory encourages the social worker to examine the effect that outside factors have on the family ( person in environment )
Family Systems theory: Critical analysis of the theory’s attention or lack there of to social work values and person in environment issues particularly related to oppression and cultural diversity
This theory’s interventions may not be suitable with families who are experiencing problems directly related to such issues as poverty, unemployment, discrimination and inequality of opportunity
Family Systems theory: Critical analysis of the theory’s attention or lack there of to social work values and person in environment issues particularly related to oppression and cultural diversity
This theory is criticized for not being culturally sensitive.
Example: Muslim couples value connection to their families, and usually seek family members’ help to solve marital problems, which according to this theory, would be not only enmeshment but also triangulation
Family Systems theory: Critical analysis of the theory’s attention or lack there of to social work values and person in environment issues particularly related to oppression and cultural diversity
Erik Erickson
Ego Psychologist
Eda Goldstein
Ego Psychologist