Ch. 9 Psychodynamic Theory

Question 1

founders of the psychodynamic approach to family counseling

Answer 1

Nathan Ackerman, 
Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, 
James Framo, 
Theodore Lidz, 
Norman Paul, 
Donald Williamson, 
Robin Skynner, and 
Lyman Wynne.

Question 2

Nathan Ackerman

Answer 2

Founder of psychodynamic approach to family counseling

Question 3

10 Treatment Techniques of Psychodynamic Family Therapy

Answer 3

Transference 
Underlying issues 
Dream and dream analysis 
Divergent subject experiences 
Projective identification 
Confrontation 
Focusing on strengths 
Life history 
Complementarity 
Interpretation

Question 4

12 psychoanalytic defense mechanisms

Answer 4

repression 
identification with an aggressor 
denial 
regression 
undoing 
projection 
rationalization 
intellectualization 
reaction formation 
displacement 
dissociation 
compartmentalization

Question 5

identification with an aggressor

Answer 5

A psychological process whereby a person assimilates an aspect, property, or attribute of another and is transformed, wholly or partially, by the model the other person or persons provide.

Question 6

undoing

Answer 6

A defense mechanism in which a person tries to “undo” an unhealthy, destructive or otherwise threatening thought or action by engaging in contrary behavior.

Question 7

projection

Answer 7

Instead of stating what a person really thinks or feels, he or she attributes an unacceptable thought, feeling, or motive to another.

Question 8

rationalization

Answer 8

This defense mechanism involves giving an “intellectual reason” to justify a certain action.

Question 9

intellectualization

Answer 9

A defense mechanism where reasoning is used to block confrontation with an unconscious conflict and its associated emotional stress—where thinking is used to avoid feeling.

Question 10

reaction formation

Answer 10

When an individual behaves in a manner that is just the opposite of how he or she feels, it is known as a “reaction formation.”

Question 11

displacement

Answer 11

This defense is a redirection of an emotional response onto a “safe target.”

Question 12

dissociation

Answer 12

A defense mechanism where people lose track of time and/or their personhood

Question 13

compartmentalization

Answer 13

A lesser form of dissociation, wherein parts of the self are separated from awareness of other parts and behaving as if each had separate sets of values.

Question 14

repression

Answer 14

the unconscious exclusion of distressing or painful thoughts and memories.

Question 15

denial

Answer 15

In this process, a person refuses to see or accept any problem or troublesome aspect of life

Question 16

regression

Answer 16

Returning to a less mature way of behaving under stress

Question 17

catalyst

Answer 17

the role that a psychodynamic family therapist plays by moving into the “living space” of the family and stirring up interactions

Question 18

cause-and-effect interactions

Answer 18

linear causality; forces moving in one direction (the opposite of interconnectedness as envisioned in systems theory

Question 19

crisis resolution

Answer 19

a treatment modality used in crisis situations in which the therapist focuses most on supporting defenses and clarifying communication in order to help a family.

Question 20

good enough mother (parent)

Answer 20

a mother who lets an infant feel loved and cared for and thereby helps the infant develop trust and a true sense of self.

Question 21

interlocking pathology

Answer 21

a term created by Nathan Ackerman to explain how families and certain of their members stay dysfunctional. In an interlocking pathology, an unconscious process takes place between family members that keeps them together

Question 22

invisible loyalties

Answer 22

unconscious commitments that grown children make to help their families of origin, especially their parents.

Question 23

object

Answer 23

a significant other (e.g., a mother) with whom children form an interactional, emotional bond.

Question 24

object relations theory

Answer 24

a psychoanalytic way of explaining relationships across generations. According to this theory, human beings have a fundamental motivation to seek objects (i.e., people) in relationships, starting at birth

Question 25

object relations

Answer 25

relations between persons involved in ardent emotional attachments.

Question 26

splitting

Answer 26

viewing object representations as either all good or all bad. The result is a projection of good and bad qualities onto persons within one’s environment. Through splitting, people are able to control their anxiety and even the objects (i.e., persons) within their environment by making them predictable.

Question 27

tickling of defenses

Answer 27

Nathan Ackerman’s term for provoking family members to open up and say what was on their mind.