Systems Flashcards
Mutual interaction means mutual _______?
influence
The individual is the _______.
system
What is the system?
when one’s dimensions of feeling, thinking, and acting are inseparably interrelated.
Are patterns in a system circular or linear?
circular
What is goal directedness?
family serves some universal purpose. Family systems exist for the purpose of facilitating the greatest overall survival, health, and development of its members
What is the purpose of the family system?
to support the welfare of members and promote the maximal development of each family member
Maintenance of Dynamic Equilibrium:
when interacting, two fundamental operational functions come into play, they are the mechanisms of the creation, and maintenance of a social system: morphogenesis & morphostasis
What characterizes the the family atmosphere?
the overall functioning
What is family of origin?
the family we are born into
What is family of creation?
family/familes we create
What is monogamy?
two spouses
What is polygamy?
more than two spouses
Nuclear:
core is one set of parents and possibly children living together
Extended:
core is three or more generations living together
Goal directedness (teleology):
To facilitate the greatest overall survival and
welfare of its members and, IDEALLY, to promote the maximal development of each family member
Maintenance of Dynamic Equilibrium:
WORKS LIKE A THERMOSTAT IN HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM
The members of a system are always monitoring and regulating the dynamic equilibrium of their system
What is Morphostasis?
fundamental tendency to keep structure the same and stable; first order change; adapt within current mode of operation; same rules[Enforcing
punishment for young child that curses.]
What is Morphogenesis?
tendency arising out of interaction to create and recreate its own structure; second order change; adopting a new mode of operation; new rules
[Accepting cursing of older child.]
What are the two types of change?
Morphostasis & Morphogenesis
What are Perturbations?
changes that provoke or threaten to provoke disequilibrium
(Healthy functioning) Clear subsystem boundaries and clear family roles-
easier for members to define & fulfill roles and rules; equilibrium more easily maintained
(Healthy functioning) Clear family rules with consistent and fair enforcement-
rules are known & understood by all members and consequences or infractions are fair and consistent
(Healthy functioning) Respect for individual autonomy coexisting with a respect for family connection –
differentiation is supported; family not threatened by individual thinking & functioning
What constitutes unhealthy functioning?
- boundaries with too rigid or too diffuse
- Rules/enforcements are either too rigid or very inconsistent
- Roles/expectations of members are either too rigid or not clearly defined
- Individual identity is not encouraged or recognized
- Communication is unclear, indirect, abusive, and or coercive
- Fennell’s elements of family dysfunction
Should the client see the issue as an individual issue or systemic?
- systemic
- accept mutual causality
How does one change in this theory?
altering the method of solving a problem
What is the counselor’s role in this theory?
To be constructively triangulated into the family system
Initial contact stage:
don’t get too much of story in order to avoid appearance of bias; get person to bring in family
What to do in the first interview?
build rapport; encourage each person to express their
perspective
What to do in the early phase?
move away from rapport building to a stance of perturbing the system so change can occur. Emphasize circular causality. THE SYSTEM WILL
ACT OUT ITS PATTERN IN REAL TIME DURING THE SESSIONS. HW target changes in patterns
What to do in the middle phase?
Encouraging interaction among members and testing new ways of being. Therapist can move to periphery, be less directive and challenging
Termination:
No more change is necessary according to family, new sense of balance.
Reframing:
disobedience becomes independent thinking
What is sculpting?
physically arrange members in the room, symbolic representation of interaction patterns in family
