Family Therapies

Question 1

General Systems Theory

Answer 1

Defines a system as an entity that is maintained by the mutual interactions of its components and assumes that the actions of interacting components are best understood by studying them in their context

Question 2

Cybernetics

Answer 2

Described by mathematician and applied to family communication process. key feature is concept of the feedback loop through which a system receives information

Question 3

Negative Feedback Loop

Answer 3

Reduces deviation and helps a system maintain the status quo

Question 4

Positive Feedback Loop

Answer 4

Amplifies deviation or change and thereby disrupts the system; positive feedback promotes appropriate change in a dysfunctional family system

Question 5

Double-bind communication

Answer 5

An etiological factor for schizophrenia; is an emotionally distressing dilemma in communication in which an individual (or group) receives two or more conflicting messages, and one message negates the other.

Question 6

Communication/interaction family therapy

Answer 6

focuses on the impact of communication on family and individual functioning; it distinguishes between two communication patterns: symmetrical communication and complementary communication

Question 7

Symmetrical communication

Answer 7

occurs between equals but may escalate into a competitive one-upsmanship game in which each participant tries to outdo the other

Question 8

Complementary communication

Answer 8

occurs between individuals who are unequal and emphasizes their differences; common complementary pattern is for one participant to assume the dominant role while the other is submissive

Question 9

Communication/interaction Family Therapy-

View of Maladaptive Behavior

Answer 9

Accept a circular model of causality that regards a symptom as both a cause and effect of dysfunctional communication patterns, which include blaming and criticizing, mindreading, and overgeneralizing

Question 10

Communication/interaction Family Therapy-

Goals and Techniques

Answer 10

Primary goal of therapy is to alter the interactional patterns that are maintaining the presenting symptoms. This is accomplished using direct techniques and paradoxical strategies

Question 11

Extended Family Systems Therapy

Answer 11

Bowen; extends general systems theory beyond the nuclear family and describes the functioning of the extended family

Question 12

Differentiation of self-

Answer 12

A person’s ability to separate his or her intellectual and emotional functioning; the lower a person’s level of differentiation, the more the person is at the mercy of his/her emotions and the more likely that he/she will become fused with the emotions that dominate the family

Question 13

Emotional triangle

Answer 13

When a two-person system such as a husband-wife or parent-child experiences instability or stress, a third person may be recruited into the system to increase stability and reduce tension.

Question 14

Extended Family Systems Therapy-

View of Maladaptive Behavior

Answer 14

behavioral disorders are a result of a multigenerational transmission process in which progressively lower levels of differentiation are transmitted from one generation to the next

Question 15

Extended Family Systems Therapy

Goals

Answer 15

Primary goal is to increase the differentiation of all family members

Question 16

Structural Family Therapy

Answer 16

Minuchin; emphasizes altering the family’s structure in order to change the behavior patterns of family members

Question 17

Boundaries

Answer 17

Barriers or rules that determine the amount of contact that is allowed between family members; when families are overly rigid, family members are disengaged (isolated) from one another; when boundaries are too diffuse or permeable, family members are enmeshed (overly dependent and close)

Question 18

Rigid triads (Structural Family Therapy)- 1. Detouring

Answer 18

occurs when the parents focus on a child either by overprotecting or blaming (scapegoating) the child for the family’s problems

Question 19

Rigid triads (Structural Family Therapy)- 2. Stable Coalition

Answer 19

occurs when a parent and child form a cross-generational coalition and consistently “gang up” against the other parent

Question 20

Rigid triads (Structural Family Therapy)- 3. Triangulation

Answer 20

occurs when each parent demands that the child side with him/her against the other parent; child is constantly being pulled in two directions

Question 21

Structural Family Therapy-

View of Maladaptive Behavior

Answer 21

Family dysfunction is viewed as the result of an inflexible family structure that prohibits the family from adapting to maturational and situational stressors in a healthy way (ex. psychosomatic families– enmeshment)

Question 22

Structural Family Therapy:

Goals

Answer 22

Restructuring the family is the primary long term goal of therapy; may also address symptom relief and other short-term goals using techniques from other forms of therapy

Question 23

Structural Family Therapy:

Joining

Answer 23

First task is to develop a therapeutic system by joining the family in a position of leadership; involves blending with the family and includes tracking (identifying and using the family’s values, life themes, and significant life events in conversations) and mimesis (adopting the family’s affective and communication style)

Question 24

Strategic Family Therapy

Answer 24

paradoxical interventions; focuses on transactional patterns and views symptoms as interpersonal events that serve to control relationships; therapy focuses on symptom relief and interventions designed to alter the behavior of family members

Question 25

Strategic Family Therapy: View of maladaptive behavior

Answer 25

emphasize the role of communication in maladaptive behaviors, especially how it is used to exert control in a relationship

Question 26

Strategic Family Therapy: Therapy goals

Answer 26

Focus is on alleviating current symptoms by altering a family’s transactions and organization, especially its hierarchies and generational boundaries

Question 27

Paradoxical intervention

Answer 27

alters the behavior of family members by helping them see a symptom in an alternative way or recognize they have control over their behaviors or by using their resistance in a constructive way

Question 28

Milan Systemic Family Therapy

Answer 28

based on the premise that, in a family system, there are circular patterns of action and reaction. Maladaptive behavior results when a family’s patterns become so fixed that family members are no longer able to act creatively or to make new choices about their lives

Question 29

Milan Systemic Family Therapy: Goals/Techniques

Answer 29

help family members see their choices and assist them in exercising their prerogative of choosing; uses therapeutic team; hypothesizing, neutrality, paradox, circular questions

Question 30

Behavioral Family Therapy

Answer 30

based on the principles of operant conditioning, social learning theory, and social exchange theory; maladaptive behavior is learned and maintained by its antecedents and consequences

Question 31

Object Relations Family Therapy

Answer 31

maladaptive behavior is the result of both intrapsychic and interpersonal factors; goal is to resolve each family member’s attachment to family introjects; entails interpreting transferences, resistances, and other factors in order to foster insight, which is considered essential to change

Question 32

Ordeal

Answer 32

Type of paradoxical intervention; unpleasant tasks that the client must perform whenever a symptom occurs (i.e. buying gift for disliked MIL)