Bowen - Transgenerational Theory Flashcards
What do Bowens 8 generational concepts address?
emotional processes taking place in the nuclear / extended families and across generations & in society
Bowens 8 concepts are tied together by the underlying premise that chronic anxiety is omnipresent in life / is inevitable part of nature
TRUE: chronic anxiety is a biological phenomenon that humans have in common with all life forms
natural systems perspective - past generations transmit chronic anxiety - and is related to the experiences of family members as they struggle to balance togetherness + individual self-differentiation
TRUE
What are the 8 conepts of bowen
- differentiation of self
2.
differentiation of self?
extent of persons ability to distinguish between intellectual process + feelings process: demonstrated by ability to think and follow own values in the face of anxiety without behavior being driven by emotional cues of others
- close intimacy w/ others + maintain separate sense of self (not caught up in family issues)
- distinguish between thoughts & feelings
(emotional regulation + separate emotions from family - express own feelings not those of others) - behave based on own values
(not driven by emotions of others)
the degree to which one can __________ = key to the differentiation experience?
the degree to which one can SEPARATE EMOTIONALLY FROM PARENTS IN GROWING UP = key to the differentiation experience?
one way to demonstrate degree of differentiation is?
speaking in “i” statements = verbalizes separation from others
individuals with the greatest fusion between their thoughts and feelings = function poorly
TRUE :
at the mercy of automatic emotional reactions
can’t cope with anxiety
can’t separate self from others = merge easily with emotions of family
few firmly held beliefs of their own = stuck “emotionally” throughout their life
undifferentiated family ego mass
family emotionally stuck together - conglomerate emotional oneness exists = degree that any member is involved in family from moment to moment
emotional fusion into a common self with family
concept of “fusion-differentiation” / “undifferentiated family ego mass” emphasize transgeneration theory view that…..?
concept of “fusion-differentiation” / “undifferentiated family ego mass” emphasize transgeneration theory view that = MATURITY & SELF-ACTUALIZATION DEMAND INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME FREE OF UNRESOLVED EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO FAMILY OF ORIGIN
according to bowens concept of fusion-differentiation: no one ever achieves complete emotional separation from the family of origin
TRUE:
due to 2 counterbalance life forces innate all humans :
ability to develop into emotionaly separate person
+
emotional connection to family
greater level of undifferentation (higher fusion) = greater levels of emotional fushion with family
TRUE
attempt to achieve stability + relieve anxiety in highly fused, emotionally intense 2-person system by bringing in 3rd person
TRIANGULATION : the idea that internal/external stress is reduced by bringing in a third vulnerable person
triangle
basic building block in a family’s emotional or relational system
______ = smallest stable relationship system
TRIANGLE = smallest stable relationship system
families rely on triangles to:
relieve discomfort + maintain optimum levels of closeness / separation while permitting them the greatest freedom from anxiety
3rd person brought into a triangle =
least well-differentiated person + often “identified patient”
4 outcomes of triangles:
- stable 2 system = unstable by addition of 3rd
- stable 2 system = unstable by removal of 3rd
- unstable 2 system = stabilized by adding 3rd
- unstable 2 system = stable by removing 3rd
Provide an example:
stable 2 person system becomes unstable by adding 3rd person
birth of a child brings marital conflict