Systemic Family Therapy Ch 1 – Flashcards
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Cybernetics
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Control model
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Homeostatic mechanism
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Set of rules that maintains a steady state in a system by controlling minute changes. Steady state caused by a negative feedback loop
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Intellectual Revolution
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Shift from homeostatic, cybernetics, or first-order epistemology to a cybernetics of cybernetics or second-order epistemology
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Systemic Theory
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alternative to traditional ideas, provokes shifts in student's thinking
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Systems thinking
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A more truthful theory of how families function
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Epistemological Assumptions
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Two components: Theoretical assumptions and techniques of change
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Assumptions
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Based on philosophy and merit philosophical evaluation or natural order of the universe or natural order of the family
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Techniques
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Evaluated empirically
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What are two components of theoretical explanation or description of functioning?
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Theoretical explanation or description of functioning and methodology of change.
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Gravity functions attracts bodies of matter to each other - apple hitting Newton on the head
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Theoretical explanation
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Epistemology
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aka Assumptions. Branch of philosophy concerning the nature of reality. Worldview.
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Methodology
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What I know how to do and how I go about doing it.
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Post hoc
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The observation of change precedes the explanation of change
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Methodology of Freud
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Free associations and dreams
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Technology in Family Therapy
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One-way mirrors, audio/video recordings in therapeutic setting. Allowed therapeutic process to be observable in real time.
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Social Context and Family Therapy
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Social environment impacts family function just as social situation in which theorists and practitioners work plays a role in how they view the world.
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Presystemic Worldview
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Conjoint therapy sessions, linear worldview, cause and effect. ex. mental illness (effect) is the result of childhood trauma (cause).
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Intrapsychic Locus of a person
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Problem resulted from difficulty in the individual's mental functioning
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Linear View of World
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Why something happened, seek an explanation of the person's difference by questioning why he or she is in that state. Single cause implies a single solution.
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Equifinality (Systemic concept)
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When we view an end state, there are an infinite number of ways one could have arrived at this position. An explanation that considers all factors.
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Example of Equifinality
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Factors contributing to depression -- genetics, family of origin, drug use, age, socioeconomic status, nutrition, exercise, self-concept, history, head trauma, and lack of social support
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Equipotentiality
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From any situation or state there are an infinite number of possible future outcomes. Making changes to any number of factors, the individual can move past his or her present state into an infinite variety of alternative states.
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Reality
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Having an independent existence from our perception. There exists a single universe with knowable, unchanging laws of nature and exists independently of our minds and perceptions.
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Reductionistic View (Reality)
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One can observe reality by observing its key elements.
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Before Systemic Thinking Family was viewed as
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The cause of psychopathology. Blamed the mother for pathology.
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Shift to a Systems Approach
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Incorporates the linear pattern into a circular worldview with the concept of the arc (from geometry).
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Systems Paradigm Circular Worldview
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Little is gained trying to know what came first; ask how questions; process; content and outcome
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Process
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Who says what to whom, in what way, with what outcome? The way words are said.
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Content
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The words that are said.
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Outcome
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Behavioral (What happens?) and Emotional (How does it feel?)
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Systemic Perspective
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Person exists in the context of relationships with others. Wholes create a science of relationship and interconnectedness. Borrows from anthropology, sociology and history. Inductive - observation/premise leads to a conclusion or generalization.
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Systemic Theory Emphasizes
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How the problem is maintained, the present, change the way the family interacts and communicates during the session.
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Cybernetics
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Sum total of patterns in communication. The core of systemic thinking in family therapy. Steering the engine of a ship. Similarities between control of inanimate machines and control of living systems.
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Cybernetic Approach
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The sum total of patterns of process within the relationship.
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Structure
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Macro concept. Sum total of the interrelationships among elements of a system including membership in the system and boundary between the system and its environment. It is recognizable by observing stability (length of time or through multiple observations).
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Example of Structure
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Relationship between mother and daughter is usually lifelong and enduring. It's usually stable, but can be destroyed.
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How does structure vary?
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It's based on the point of view of the observer.
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Boundaries
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Separates the system's structure from its environment and serves as an interface between systems. The container for the system
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Opposite Ends of System
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Open and Closed Systems
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Open System
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Has extensive interfaces with other systems in the environment. It dissipates into its environment.
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Closed System
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Limited interface between itself and other systems in the environment. It breaks down for lack of resources.
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Process
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Observable, dynamic, relatively transient interaction of the parts: it's movement, action, behavior and emotional expression. Process over time forms the structure.
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Higher-Order Phenomenon of Process
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A change in the structure results in a change in process. A change in process can result in a change in structure.
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Communication
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Exchange of information among components of a system. Spoken language and actions. Actions speak louder than words. The central issue when considering cybernetics.
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Cybernetics and Communication
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System must be in communication in order for the system to function.
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Principle #1
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One cannot not behave.
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Principle #2
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All behavior is communication.
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Principle #3
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One cannot not communicate.
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Principle #4
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The meaning of a given behavior is not the true meaning of the behavior; it is however, the personal truth for the person who has given it a particular meaning.
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Two Aspects of Communication
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Report and Command
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Report
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The message or content
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Command
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A statement about the relationship between the people in communication.
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Modes of Communication
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Verbal, nonverbal, analog, digital
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Verbal Mode
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digital communcation
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Non verbal Mode
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Unconscious communication
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Analog Mode
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Nonverbal combined with observation
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Digital Mode
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Manipulation of symbols
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Congruent Communication
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Relationship between digital and analog communication
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Metacommunication
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Communication about communication
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Feedback
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System that is recursive or self-correcting. Regulates functioning. Can be positive or negative.
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Negative Feedback
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Attenuating feedback loop, functions to maintain the current state within the system.
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Positive Feedback
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Amplifying feedback look functions to amplify some aspect of a system.
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Relationship Styles
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Dyads, Triads or Triangles. Describe a natural variation in the way people relate to each other - one does not have advantage over the other.
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Complementary
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Two that fit together in pair. Ex. dominance and submission
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Symmetrical
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Competition. Trying to outdo each other. Keep up with the joneses.
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Parallel
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Mixture of complementary and symmetrical elements
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Triad
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Three people. More complex and tends to be more stable. Can be pathological or healthy.
