Theoretical Context of Family Therapy Flashcards
family
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
system
- 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
Ludwig von Bertalanffy
biologist who sought to explain how organisms thrive/die in accordance with their openness or closeness to their environment, fought reductionism in biology
4 system principles
a. whole is greater than sum of parts
b. compilation of subsystems arranged in hierarchical structure
c. adapt self-stabilizing mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and equilibrium
d. capacity to adapt/change in response to environment
systems theory
focuses on interconnectedness of elements w/in all living organisms
organism
form of life composed of mutually dependent parts and processes standing in mutual interaction
cybernetics
Norbert Weiner, describes systems that regulate themselves through means of feedback loops
homeostasis
state of equilibrium inside system maintained through cybernetics
circular causality
human behavior is complex and always occurs within a system of relationships, a causal chain where each is influenced and in turn influences the other
feedback
communication process w/in a system that either keep behaviors in check or promote change
attenuating feedback loop
loop that promotes a return to equilibrium
amplifying feedback loop
loop that leads to change in the system
development
predictable physical, mental, and social changes over life that occur in relationship to the environment
individual time
span of life between birth and death
social time
landmark social events like marriage, parenthood, and retirement
historical time
era in which people live, culture
life cycle
denotes continuous development of people over time in multiple contexts
stages
sequential development in lifespan
developmental crises
times of turmoil and opportunity throughout life; how a person handles and adjusts to events like aging and marriage give clues to his stage of development
Erikson
Psychosocial Developmental Stages 1-trust vs. mistrust 2-autonomy vs. shame 3-initiative vs. guilt 4-industry vs. inferiority 5-identity vs. role confusion 6-intimacy vs. isolation 7-generativity vs. stagnation 8-integrity vs. despair
family life cycle
developmental trends within the family over time
nuclear family life cycle
- single young adults leave home
- new couple
- families w/ young children
- families w/ adolescents
- families launching children & moving on
- families in later life
solid self
developing a sense of one’s own beliefs and convictions that are not simply an adaptation of others’
cohabitation
prelude to marriage or “trial marriage” vs. long-term alternative to marriage
cohabitation effect
lower marital quality, more negative communication, less dedication, and higher rates of divorce after marriage
idealization
early stages of marriage wherein people idealize each other and relate accordingly
sandwich generation
psychological & physical squeeze of a couple caring for both adolescent child/ren and aging parent/s
planful competence
adolescents develop a reasonable realistic understanding of their own intellectual abilities, social skills, and personal emotional responses in relationships with others
empty nest
children leave home, and leave parents w/out child-rearing responsibilities (can lead either to rediscovery & fun or to vulnerability to issues including sadness for those heavily invested in child-rearing)
boomerang children
grown children’s failure to leave home or choice to return home as a result of financial problems, unemployment, or inability/reluctance to grow up
senescence
physical decline of an individual related to age
4 phases of chronic illness
- crisis-deal w/ immediate symptoms, pain, trauma
- stabilization-stabilize and restructure life patterns & perceptions
- resolution-develop new sense of self and seek personally meaningful philosophy of life and spirituality consistent with it
- integration-find appropriate employment if able to work, to reintegrate or form supportive networks of friends and family, integrating one’s illness w/in spiritual/philosophical framework
