Systems

Question 1

Mutual interaction means mutual _______?

Answer 1

influence

Question 2

The individual is the _______.

Answer 2

system

Question 3

What is the system?

Answer 3

when one’s dimensions of feeling, thinking, and acting are inseparably interrelated.

Question 4

Are patterns in a system circular or linear?

Answer 4

circular

Question 5

What is goal directedness?

Answer 5

family serves some universal purpose. Family systems exist for the purpose of facilitating the greatest overall survival, health, and development of its members

Question 6

What is the purpose of the family system?

Answer 6

to support the welfare of members and promote the maximal development of each family member

Question 7

Maintenance of Dynamic Equilibrium:

Answer 7

when interacting, two fundamental operational functions come into play, they are the mechanisms of the creation, and maintenance of a social system: morphogenesis & morphostasis

Question 8

What characterizes the the family atmosphere?

Answer 8

the overall functioning

Question 9

What is family of origin?

Answer 9

the family we are born into

Question 10

What is family of creation?

Answer 10

family/familes we create

Question 11

What is monogamy?

Answer 11

two spouses

Question 12

What is polygamy?

Answer 12

more than two spouses

Question 13

Nuclear:

Answer 13

core is one set of parents and possibly children living together

Question 14

Extended:

Answer 14

core is three or more generations living together

Question 15

Goal directedness (teleology):

Answer 15

To facilitate the greatest overall survival and

welfare of its members and, IDEALLY, to promote the maximal development of each family member

Question 16

Maintenance of Dynamic Equilibrium:

Answer 16

WORKS LIKE A THERMOSTAT IN HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM

The members of a system are always monitoring and regulating the dynamic equilibrium of their system

Question 17

What is Morphostasis?

Answer 17

fundamental tendency to keep structure the same and stable; first order change; adapt within current mode of operation; same rules[Enforcing
punishment for young child that curses.]

Question 18

What is Morphogenesis?

Answer 18

tendency arising out of interaction to create and recreate its own structure; second order change; adopting a new mode of operation; new rules
[Accepting cursing of older child.]

Question 19

What are the two types of change?

Answer 19

Morphostasis & Morphogenesis

Question 20

What are Perturbations?

Answer 20

changes that provoke or threaten to provoke disequilibrium

Question 21

(Healthy functioning) Clear subsystem boundaries and clear family roles-

Answer 21

easier for members to define & fulfill roles and rules; equilibrium more easily maintained

Question 22

(Healthy functioning) Clear family rules with consistent and fair enforcement-

Answer 22

rules are known & understood by all members and consequences or infractions are fair and consistent

Question 23

(Healthy functioning) Respect for individual autonomy coexisting with a respect for family connection –

Answer 23

differentiation is supported; family not threatened by individual thinking & functioning

Question 24

What constitutes unhealthy functioning?

Answer 24

• boundaries with too rigid or too diffuse
• Rules/enforcements are either too rigid or very inconsistent
• Roles/expectations of members are either too rigid or not clearly defined
• Individual identity is not encouraged or recognized
• Communication is unclear, indirect, abusive, and or coercive
• Fennell’s elements of family dysfunction

Question 25

Should the client see the issue as an individual issue or systemic?

Answer 25

- systemic | - accept mutual causality

Question 26

How does one change in this theory?

Answer 26

altering the method of solving a problem

Question 27

What is the counselor's role in this theory?

Answer 27

To be constructively triangulated into the family system

Question 28

Initial contact stage:

Answer 28

don’t get too much of story in order to avoid appearance of bias; get person to bring in family

Question 29

What to do in the first interview?

Answer 29

build rapport; encourage each person to express their | perspective

Question 30

What to do in the early phase?

Answer 30

move away from rapport building to a stance of perturbing the system so change can occur. Emphasize circular causality. THE SYSTEM WILL ACT OUT ITS PATTERN IN REAL TIME DURING THE SESSIONS. HW target changes in patterns

Question 31

What to do in the middle phase?

Answer 31

Encouraging interaction among members and testing new ways of being. Therapist can move to periphery, be less directive and challenging

Question 32

Termination:

Answer 32

No more change is necessary according to family, new sense of balance.

Question 33

Reframing:

Answer 33

disobedience becomes independent thinking

Question 34

What is sculpting?

Answer 34

physically arrange members in the room, symbolic representation of interaction patterns in family