Ch. 2 Theoretical Context

Question 1

family

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

system

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Bertalanffy’s 4 principles of systems

Answer 3

1. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
2. A system is a compilation of subsystems arranged in a hierarchical structure.
3. Systems adapt self-stabilizing mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and equilibrium.
4. Systems have the capacity to adapt and change in response to environmental conditions.

Question 4

organism

Answer 4

a form of life “composed of mutually dependent parts and processes standing in mutual interaction” (von Bertalanffy, 1968, p. 33).

Question 5

cybernetics

Answer 5

term coined by Norbert Weiner (1948) to describe systems that regulate themselves though means of feedback loops.

Question 6

homeostasis

Answer 6

state of stability or equilibrium maintained by feedback loops

Question 7

a major task for families is to maintain a balance between …

Answer 7

steadiness and change

Question 8

Development

Answer 8

predictable physical, mental, and social changes over life that occur in relationship to the environment

Question 9

three different time dimensions in human life:

Answer 9

individual time, social time, and historical time

Question 10

Individual time

Answer 10

the span of life between one’s birth and death.

Question 11

Social time

Answer 11

characterized by landmark social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement. F

Question 12

Historical time

Answer 12

the era in which people live

Question 13

stages

Answer 13

sequential developmental occurences

Question 14

Erikson’s 8 developmental stages

Answer 14

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

Question 15

family life cycle

Answer 15

term used to describe developmental trends within the family over time

Question 16

emerging adulthood

Answer 16

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

Question 17

planful competence

Answer 17

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

Question 18

senescence

Answer 18

gradual decline with age

Question 19

3 family life cycle phases

Answer 19

coupling, expansion, contraction

Question 20

four phases of response to chronic illness

Answer 20

crisis
stabilization
resolution
integration

Question 21

cohabitation effect

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

developmental crises

Answer 22

times of change in the lifespan, often accompanied by turmoil and new opportunity.

Question 23

feedback

Answer 23

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

Question 24

idealization

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

life cycle transitions

Answer 25

predictable movement from one stage of life to another, such as going from being married to being married with children

Question 26

milestone decisions

Answer 26

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

Question 27

negative feedback loop

Answer 27

a feedback loop that promotes a return to equilibrium and helps a family stabilize and maintain homeostasis.

Question 28

nuclear family

Answer 28

a core unit of husband, wife, and their children

Question 29

positive feedback loop

Answer 29

a feedback loop that promotes change.

Question 30

sandwich generation

Answer 30

couples who have adolescents and their aging parents to take care of and are squeezed psychologically and physically

Question 31

solid self

Answer 31

a Bowen term for developing a sense of one’s identity in which beliefs and convictions are not simply adaptive to others

Question 32

systems theory

Answer 32

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.