Systemic Thinking Flashcards

1
Q

What is the premise of systemic therapy?

A

1+1=3

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

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2
Q

What is worth considering about the nature of how a problem is presented around people?

A

How do different people see it/how is it displayed to different people? How does it vary?

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3
Q

What state do systems tend towards?

A

A steady equilibrium - homeostasis.

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4
Q

What are scripts?

A

Rules for living passed through generations

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5
Q

What are the two ways in which one could respond to scripts?

A

Replicative

Corrective

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6
Q

What is the aim of systemic therapy?

A

To broaden the information to more and more possibilities rather than to narrow it down to right/wrong

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7
Q

Who might be seen from a family?

A

Not necessarily everyone - anyone willing to participate

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8
Q

How may families be split into subunits?

A

By gender/generation/reflecting team

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9
Q

To whom may letters be written in systemic therapy?

A

The family
Referrers/systems around the family
Absent members of the family

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10
Q

What is the ‘radical’ end of systemic therapy?

A

Seeing an individual’s mind as created by societal patterns and interaction patterns

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11
Q

Where does the ‘radical’ end of systemic thinking see problem and change occurring?

A

In the family and systems surrounding the family - not the individual

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12
Q

How does systemic thinking conceptualise problems?

A

They externalise them

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13
Q

Upon what does systemic therapy focus?

A

Resources and solutions

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14
Q

At the ‘radical’ heart of systemic theory, by what are people shaped?

A

Interactions solely.

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15
Q

Which systems may be relevant in systemic therapy?

A

Family
Friendships
Institutions
Communities

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16
Q

Can a therapist be objective when they have met a family?

A

No. They become part of the therapy system

17
Q

What kinds of patterns are the focus of systemic therapy?

A

Patterns of meaning (not of behaviour)

18
Q

Does systemic therapy focus on patterns of meaning?

A

Yes

19
Q

Does systemic therapy focus on patterns of behaviour?

A

No

20
Q

How does systemic therapy work?

A

Therapists ‘lightly float’ many ideas of possible meaning to a family and they choose the ones which best fit.

21
Q

Instead of viewing the family set up as the source of the problem, what does systemic focus on now?

A

The family as a resource for change.

22
Q

In which disorders is systemic therapy shown to be ‘very likely to help’?

A

ED

Substance misuse

23
Q

What is systemic therapy likely to help?

A

Conduct disorder
Self-harm
Depression

24
Q

Where do difficulties arise according to systems theory?

A

In relationships, interactions and language

25
Q

What is the role of circularity in systems theory?

A

That patterns of behaviour develop within systems and these become repetitive and circular while constantly evolving

26
Q

What needs to be drawn out from the circularity?

A

Connections and patterns

27
Q

Using narratives, when might change occur?

A

When stories lived and stories told are incongruous.

28
Q

Constructivism = ?

A

like core beliefs

29
Q

Constructionism = ?

A

Social norms

30
Q

According to social constructionism, where is meaning created?

A

Through social interactions.

31
Q

If the therapist cannot be objective, of what must they be aware?

A

Their own constructions, functioning and prejudice.

32
Q

What are the goals during initial systemic therapy sessions?

A

Outline structure and boundaries
Engage and involve all family members
Gather and clarify information
Establish goals

33
Q

What are the goals during middle systemic therapy sessions?

A

Identify and explore beliefs
Works towards change at the level of beliefs and behaviours
Return to goals and monitor progress

34
Q

What are the possible interventions for systemic therapists?

A

Circular questions
Statements
Reflecting Teams

35
Q

What is the aim of circular questions?

A

Looking at difference and a way of introducing new information

36
Q

What is the aim of statements?

A

To clarify and acknowledge communication
To comment on the position or emotional state
To introduce therapist/team ideas