Thinking Systemically

Question 1

Triangulation

Answer 1

A dysfunctional means to managing relational anxiety (ie. I have a conflict with my partner, but instead of addressing that anxiety, I will triangulate in a third party)

Question 2

Double Description

Answer 2

We cannot understand any one phenomenon based upon a single description or quantity. In an interpersonal setting, we know we cannot claim to understand a phenomenon based purely on the description from one person.

Question 3

Negative Feedback

Answer 3

Conservation (self-correction toward what the system already knows)

Question 4

Positive Feedback

Answer 4

Adaptation (system wide change based upon integrating new information)

Question 5

Boundaries

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Boundary Interface

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Open Systems

Answer 7

Interact regularly with the environment with relatively no inhibition. Open systems run the risk of diffuse boundaries, leading to chaos.

Question 8

Closed Systems

Answer 8

Are more isolated and resistant to interactions with the environment. Closed systems run the risk of rigidity.