Gladding Ch. 2

Question 1

McGoldrick’s 6 Stages of the Family Life Cycle

Answer 1

Simply put, these are the developmental stages of a white, middle class family system (which is
the group that these stages were “normed” on).
1. Single Young Adults: Leaving Home
2. The New Couple: Joining of Families through Marriage
3. Families with Young Children
4. Families with Adolescents
5. Launching Children and Moving On
6. Families in Later Life

Question 2

Goal of Therapy: Unifying Individual and Family Cycles

Answer 2

In most cases we are attempting to unify the individual and family cycles. This is achievable by:
1. Helping the family to maintain a growth mindset
2. Recognize that these two developmental cycles (individual and family) can be
understood as fully-functioning and cybernetic systems
3. These two developmental cycles can be both complementary and competitive because:
a. Members of the family go through different individual stages at the same time
b. Each individual developmental stage has its unique and appropriate challenges
c. The needs of the family can work in tandem with the wants and needs of the
individual if the work of compromising and prioritizing is undertaken willingly by
all parties

Question 3

Family as defined by U.S. Census Bureau (2011)

Answer 3

two or more people (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption residing in the same housing unit.

Question 4

Family: defined for our purposes

Answer 4

“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 5

According to von Bertalanffy, all systems operate on a similar set of principles

Answer 5

1. whole greater than sum of parts
2. system is compilation of subsystems arranged in hierarchy
3. systems adapt self-stabilizing mechanisms to maintain homeostasis
4. systems can adapt and change in response to environment

Question 6

Systems Theory (aka general systems theory)

Answer 6

Focuses on interconnectedness of elements w/in all living organisms. systems theory is a lens through which the majority of amily therapists have traditionally viewed families. it is around seeing families as systems that most clinicians organize interventions.

Question 7

organism

Answer 7

a form of life ocmposed of mutually dependent parts and process standing in mutual interaction.

Question 8

Cybernatics

Answer 8

Norbert Weiner. describes systems that regulate themselves through means of feedback loops. homeostasis maintained through cybernetics

Question 9

basic elements in a cybernetics system:

Answer 9

1. receptor (receives information)
2. center (amplifies info)
3. effector (reacts to info and discharges output

Question 10

negative feed back loop (aka attenuating feedback loop)

Answer 10

promotes a return to equilibrium

Question 11

amplifying feedback loop (aka positive feedback loop)

Answer 11

leads to change in the system and possibly to more trust and less difficulty in the relationship over time.

Question 12

major task for families

Answer 12

maintain balance between steadiness and change

Question 13

major difference btwn cybernetics and general systems theory

Answer 13

cybernetics is more mechanical.

Question 14

3 Different Time Dimensions of Human Life Development

Answer 14

1. individual time
2. social time
3. historical time

Question 15

life cycles

Answer 15

represents an active way to conceptually picture time in human development because it denotes the continuous development of people over time in multiple contexts of their lives

Question 16

Erik Erickson’s stages of development

Answer 16

First five stages focus on formation of persion into competent individual. last 3 stages are more interpersonally based.

1. trust vs mistrust (year 1)
2. autonomy vs shame/doubt (year 2-3)
3. initiative vs guilt (years 4-5)
4. identity vs role confusion (years 12-18)
5. intimacy vs isolation (18-35)
6. generativity vs stagnation (35-65)
7. integrity vs despair (65+)

Question 17

McGoldrick’s 6 Stages of Family Life Cycle

Answer 17

1. single young adults leaving home
2. new couple
3. families w/ young children
4. families w/ adolescents
5. families launching children and moving on
6. families in later life

Question 18

Solid Self

Answer 18

Murray Bowen. a sense of one’s own beliefs and convictions that are not simply adaptive to others.

Question 19

Senescence

Answer 19

gradual physical decline as a result of age

Question 20

Life cycles of a therapist and family can combine in 3 major ways

Answer 20

1. therapist yet to experience family’s stage
2. therapist currently experiencing same stage
3. therapist already passed through family’s stage

Question 21

4 phases of Chronic Illness

Answer 21

1. crisis- deal w/ immediate symptoms
2. stabilization - stabilize and restructure life
3. resolution- develop new sense of self
4. integration - find appropriate employment if able to work. integrate illness w/in spiritual or philosophical framework. integrate socially

Question 22

4 basic premises of systemes

Answer 22

4 basic premises of systems:

1. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
2. They are hierarchical in structure with subsystem(s)
3. Adopt self-stabilizing mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and equilibrium
4. Systems can adapt and change ( NOTE: change happens slow and messy!)