theory: bowen family systems therapy

Question 1

Bowen Family Systems Therapy

Answer 1

Developed by Murray Bowen, this theory proposes that healthy peoples’ thoughts are differentiated from their feelings. Healthy individuals have also resolved their family of origin issues and do not experience undue anxiety when relationships with others become stressful.

Question 2

ten important concepts in Bowen’s theory:

Answer 2

• family of origin
• differentiation of self
• fused
• triangle
• nuclear family -emotional system
• family projection process
• multigenerational transmission process
• emotional cutoff
• sibling position
• societal regression

Question 3

family of origin

Answer 3

The family in which a person grows up

Question 4

differentiation of self

Answer 4

A term used in Bowen family systems therapy to refer to individuals’ ability to separate themselves from their family of origin without cutting themselves off from their families. Differentiated individuals maintain healthy family boundaries and are able to encounter emotionally charged family situations by balancing emotions with logic and rationality.

Question 5

fused

Answer 5

Enmeshed

Question 6

triangle

Answer 6

In Bowen family systems therapy, a relationship system comprising three people. Triangles are created when two family members are experiencing stress in their relationship and draw in a third member to help release the emotional tension. Bowen proposed that clients need to detriangulate, learn how to avoid becoming involved in triangles, and learn how to avoid triangulating others.

Question 7

nuclear family emotional system

Answer 7

The basic emotional unit of a family system; formed on the basis of the parental subsystem’s degree of differentiation. Bowen held that individuals are normally attracted to partners who have the same level of differentiation as they do

Question 8

family projection process

Answer 8

Occurs when undifferentiated parents project their tension and anxiety onto their most susceptible or sensitive child

Question 9

multigenerational transmission process

Answer 9

In Bowen family systems therapy, a process by which family emotional patterns and levels of differentiation are transferred and maintained over generations.

Question 10

emotional cutoff

Answer 10

Occurs when children, who are highly fused with their families, may try to emotionally cut themselves off from their family of origin through moving, refusing to talk to family members, or only interacting with family members on a surface level in order to improve or maintain their well-being.

Question 11

societal regression

Answer 11

Occurs when a society that is experiencing too much stress regresses in its level of differentiation. Like families, Bowen thought that societies, too, could be either differentiated or undifferentiated.

Question 12

three Bowen techniques:

Answer 12

• genograms,
• back home visits,
• detriangulation

Question 13

genograms

Answer 13

Developed by Bowen; visual representations of approximately three generations of a family. Can help professional counselors and families become aware of patterns of interaction that have occurred throughout a family’s history and then work to resolve any dysfunction that becomes apparent

Question 14

back home visits

Answer 14

A technique used in Bowen family systems therapy that requires clients who have unresolved issues to visit their family of origin to increase the client’s differentiation.

Question 15

detriangulation

Answer 15

In Bowen family systems therapy, learning how to avoid involvement in triangles and how to avoid triangulating others.

Question 16

Murray Bown

Answer 16

Developed Bowen family systems therapy, which maintains that people are affected by their family of origin and must resolve any issues from childhood to keep from repeating dysfunctional patterns of interaction in future relationships.