General Systems Theory Flashcards
(18 cards)
Theory of change
Change occurs by helping the system view the problem in the context of the family, rather than view an individual as the problem. The family system becomes a focal point of therapeutic interventions.
Role of therapist
The therapist helps the family explore: belief systems and family values; rules and roles that are present in the family; the family hierarchy; expectations; defense mechanisms and their purpose.
Homeostasis
Systems tend to resist change and deal with issues by keeping things the same rather than dealing with problems. It has maintained through negative feedback loops
Feedback loops
Circular in nature, information pathways that help the system balance and correct itself. These can be positive or negative
Negative feedback (attenuating)
Behavioral reactions used by families that correct departures from the systems normal state and return the system to its previous state of homeostasis. Correct against change.
Positive feedback (amplifying)
Behavioral reactions that amplify departures from the systems normal state, which initially the destabilizes the system and eventually changes the family’s homeostasis. Allows systems to adapt to change.
Calibration
the normal operational system of the family.
Wholeness
This is the notion that the whole system, all of the units combine, is greater than the sum of its parts. The interactions between the individuals have an effect on the system as a whole period
Equifinality
The same results can be accomplished by different family systems. Example: a man experience a death of a mother when he was a young child, whereas a woman experience a divorce of her parents when she was an infant. As adults, both of these individual experience major depressive depression despite having different early experiences.
Equipotentiality
On the other hand, the same experience in a family systems can end up with various results later in life. Example: two siblings go through the same experience of verbal abuse when they were young later in life once siblings struggles with relationships, whereas the other siblings struggles with depression. Therefore, despite the same experience earlier on, different results occurred.
First order change
Change that occur in the family that are more surface level and temporary. They do not affect the rules organizations of the system. These changes do not try to get on at the underlying cost of the issues, but instead behavior in nature. These changes tend to be short.
Second order change
Changes that occur at a deeper level and fundamentally alter the systems rules and organization. The system is organized in order to achieve a different, healthier level of functioning the can be survive overtime.
Nonsummativity
The family system treated us a whole and not just each individual family member.
Boundaries
Abstract lines that exist between parts of the system and between the system in between different system systems.
Open System
Refers to system that allows for the continuous flow of information from outside the system.
Closed system
System that maintains boundaries that cannot easily crossed; they are inpenetrable.
Treatment goals
The system towards an equilibrium; assist the family in exploring and recognizing healthier interactions to decrease dysfunctional family behavior or patterns. Help family challenge and rework their beliefs; assist individual family members in seeing their role in any given dynamic; increase each family members ability to understand to different experiences and perceptions of others in the family. Assisting correcting problematic healthy feedback loops
Interventions
Observe the feedback loops that occur within a family system.
Explore the families belief systems and family values; rules and roles that are pressing in the family; the family hierarchy, expectations; circular casuality between members of the family.
Reframe presenting issues as system issues rather than pathologizing one person’s symptoms.
Explore each family members role in dysfunctional interactions.
Challenge the communication occurs within the system.
