Key Concepts of Cybernetics

Question 1

Boundaries:

Answer 1

These are theoretical lines of demarcation in a family that define a system as an entity and separate the subsystems from one another and the system from its environment.

Question 2

Boundary Interface:

Answer 2

Regions between each subsystem of the family and between the family and the suprasystem.

Question 3

Familial Boundary:

Answer 3

The term used to represent the concept of Boundary Interface mentioned above within the literature of family therapies.

Question 4

Open Systems:

Answer 4

Interact regularly with the environment with relatively no inhibition.

Question 5

Closed Systems:

Answer 5

Are more isolated and resistant to interactions with the environment.

Question 6

Family Models/Maps:

Answer 6

Individuals and the system at large will consciously or unconsciously use models or maps meant to manage their boundaries and make sense of their individual and shared realities.

Question 7

Circular Causality:

Answer 7

In determining the origins of problems, General Systems Theory departs radically from traditional, linear causality. This is different than linear causality and acknowledged that two things do, say, or feel mutually influence one another in a recursive, circular relationship.

Question 8

Entropy:

Answer 8

This refers to a system’s tendency to break down which, over time, threatens the survival of the system.

Question 9

Negative Entropy:

Answer 9

A systemic state that emerges when a system is balanced between openness and closeness.

Question 10

Equifinality:

Answer 10

This is the idea that an organism or system can reach a certain end state from a variety of different sources, conditions, and means or from different initial states. For example, Generalized Anxiety Disorder may stem from a biological imbalance, trauma, or free-will.

Question 11

Equipotentiality:

Answer 11

This refers to the notion that different end states can occur from the same initial conditions. Similar events (e.g. natural disaster) can turn into depression or trauma as well as growth or happiness.

Question 12

Homeostasis:

Answer 12

This refers to the tendency of a system to resist change and maintain dynamic equilibrium or a steady state. This is maintained by negative feedback and input loops. *Note

Question 13

Feedback Loops:

Answer 13

These are at the core of the cybernetics model. They are the self-correcting mechanisms which serve to govern families’ attempts to adjust from customary patterns and maintain its organizational sameness (homeostasis).*Note Feedback occurs from outside the system while Input occurs within the system.

Question 14

Amplifying or Positive Feedback Loops:

Answer 14

These increase change in a family’s homeostasis (morphogenesis). They attempt to change these systems from its steady state to a new steady state or balance.

Question 15

Attenuating or Negative Feedback Loops:

Answer 15

These reduce change in an existing homeostasis.

Question 16

Isomorphism:

Answer 16

This is a phenomenon in which two or more systems or subsystems exhibit similar or parallel structures. For example, a therapist seeing a family that starts showing up late to sessions will similarly begin showing up late to supervision to discuss the case.

Question 17

Metaphor:

Answer 17

This is a symbolic representation that captures the basic and essential features of an object or event by using a description of a different category of objects or events.

Question 18

Morphogenesis:

Answer 18

Describes a system’s tendency toward growth, creativity, change, and innovation.

Question 19

Morphostasis:

Answer 19

This describes a system’s tendency towards stability and staying the same.

Question 20

Process:

Answer 20

This refers to dynamic aspects that are changing within the system. Often, family therapists make the distinction between process (how something is said) and content (what is being said)

Question 21

Recursiveness:

Answer 21

This refers to reciprocal or circular causality. Rather than viewing an element in a vacuum devoid of interactions between its environment and its own system’s levels or subsystems, recursiveness speaks to the mutual interaction and influence that occurs between people, events, and their ecosystem.

Question 22

Ripple Effect:

Answer 22

This refers to how a change that occurs at one level of a system will result in changes across other levels of the system.

Question 23

Structures:

Answer 23

These are aspects of a system that are universal across systems, in that all systems have a structure to them. Structures can be adapted, changed, and influenced by a variety of events as well as intentionally through therapeutic intervention. Although all systems will have a structure, there is no one universal structure or set or measure of objective quality of structure. Structure is defined subjectively by the observer.

Question 24

A System

Answer 24

A unit bounded by a set of interrelated elements and which exhibits coherent behaviors.