Ch. 2 Theoretical Context Flashcards
family
A family is considered to be those persons who are biologically and/or psychologically related, are connected by historical, emotional, or economic bonds, and perceive themselves as a part of a household.
system
an interacting set of units, parts, or persons that together make up a whole arrangement or organization. Each unit, part, or person in the system is affected by what-ever happens to others within the arrangement or organization. Thus, a system is only as strong as its weakest member. Similarly, a system is greater than the sum of its units, parts, or members
Bertalanffy’s 4 principles of systems
- The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
- A system is a compilation of subsystems arranged in a hierarchical structure.
- Systems adapt self-stabilizing mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and equilibrium.
- Systems have the capacity to adapt and change in response to environmental conditions.
organism
a form of life “composed of mutually dependent parts and processes standing in mutual interaction” (von Bertalanffy, 1968, p. 33).
cybernetics
term coined by Norbert Weiner (1948) to describe systems that regulate themselves though means of feedback loops.
homeostasis
state of stability or equilibrium maintained by feedback loops
a major task for families is to maintain a balance between …
steadiness and change
Development
predictable physical, mental, and social changes over life that occur in relationship to the environment
three different time dimensions in human life:
individual time, social time, and historical time
Individual time
the span of life between one’s birth and death.
Social time
characterized by landmark social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement. F
Historical time
the era in which people live
stages
sequential developmental occurences
Erikson’s 8 developmental stages
trust vs. mistrust autonomy vs. shame/doubt initiative vs. guilt industry vs. inferiority identity vs. role confusion intimacy vs. isolation generativity vs. stagnation integrity vs. despair
family life cycle
term used to describe developmental trends within the family over time
emerging adulthood
a phase of the life span between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood (usually thought of as 18–30) which encompasses late adolescence and early adulthood
planful competence
a positive quality in adolescents’ development which entails having a reasonably realistic understanding of their intellectual abilities, social skills, and personal emotional responses in relationships with others
senescence
gradual decline with age
3 family life cycle phases
coupling, expansion, contraction
four phases of response to chronic illness
crisis
stabilization
resolution
integration
cohabitation effect
the risk factor for lower marital qual-ity, more negative communication, less dedication, and subsequently greater rates of divorce for couples who cohabitate before marriage.
developmental crises
times of change in the lifespan, often accompanied by turmoil and new opportunity.
feedback
the reinsertion of results of past performances back into a system. Negative feedback maintains the system within limits; positive feedback signals a need to modify the system
idealization
an early stage of a couple relationship, which is characterized by both partners initially idealizing each other and relating accordingly. Some evidence indicates that individuals who report a high level of marital satisfaction also maintain a high level of idealistic distortion about their marriage and spouse: They report them to be better than they actually are.
life cycle transitions
predictable movement from one stage of life to another, such as going from being married to being married with children
milestone decisions
choices couples deem practically and emotionally significant for their relationship, such as deciding to have children, buying a house, or choosing whose family to spend holidays with
negative feedback loop
a feedback loop that promotes a return to equilibrium and helps a family stabilize and maintain homeostasis.
nuclear family
a core unit of husband, wife, and their children
positive feedback loop
a feedback loop that promotes change.
sandwich generation
couples who have adolescents and their aging parents to take care of and are squeezed psychologically and physically
solid self
a Bowen term for developing a sense of one’s identity in which beliefs and convictions are not simply adaptive to others
systems theory
a theory, sometimes known as general systems theory, that focuses on the interconnectedness of elements within all living organisms, including the family. It is based on the work of Ludwig von Bertalanffy.
