Transgenerational (Bowenian Theory)

Question 1

How is Bowen’s Family Systems Theory defined?

Answer 1

Pathology is defined as low differentiation manifested by fusion, cut-off or triangulation.

Question 2

According to Bowen, human relationships are driven by two counterbalancing life forces, what are they?

a. genograms & togetherness
b. anxiety and stress
c. Individuality & togetherness
d. Sibling position & regression

Answer 2

According to Bowen, human relationships we are driven by two counterbalancing life forces, what are they?

b. Individuality and togetherness.

Question 3

Who is the main developer of Family Systems Theory?

Answer 3

Murry Bowen

Question 4

Bowen’s work with schizophrenic patients and their mother shifted in his thinking, from what to what?

a. interpersonal to intrapersonal
b. intrapersonal individual treatment to interpersonal and systemic
c. psychodynamic to psychoanalytic

Answer 4

Bowen’s work with schizophrenic patients and their mother shifted in his thinking, from what to what?

b. From an intrapersonal, individual treatment perspective to an interpersonal and sytemic.

Question 5

Bowen posits that emotional disturbed individuals arise from what?

Answer 5

Relational binds with others.

Question 6

What are Bowen’s 8 interlocking concepts?

Answer 6

Differentiation, Emotional cut- off, Nuclear family emotional process, Triangulation, Family projection process, Multigenerational transmission process, Sibling position, and Societal emotional regression

Question 7

What term describes the capacity to think and reflect, to not respond automatically to emotional pressures, internal and external - the ability to be flexible and act wisely, even in the face of anxiety.

a. differentiation of self
b. Societal regression
c. Boundary making

Answer 7

Differentiation of self

Question 8

Describe a person with a “solid self”

Answer 8

The person operates on the basis of clearly defined beliefs, convictions, opinions, and core values.

Question 9

Describe a person with a pseudo-self.

Answer 9

This person is emotionally fused with the family emotional system.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of an undifferentiated person?

Answer 10

They are stuck together with others in the family emotional system and unresolved emotional attachments effect (a) their lives and (b) their relationships.

Question 11

What is the upsides of a triangle?

Answer 11

• They help maintain an optimum level of closeness and distance between members while permitting the greatest freedom from anxiety. It is the smallest stable relationship system and more stable and flexible than a twosome.

Question 12

What is the downside of a triangle?

Answer 12

They don’t always help a threesome reach such favorable conclusions and may further increase tension and create more complexity/triangles.

Question 13

Define fusion.

Answer 13

Fusion is an excess of emotional reactivity in families. Created by too much togetherness.

Question 14

Describe the Bowenian concepts:

solid self v. pseudo-self

Answer 14

Solid self:
more differentiated and functions based on a personally defined set of values, beliefs, and convictions,

Pseudo self-

• not differentiated and may be fused with someone else
• borrows values from someone else
• makes emotionally reactive choices

Question 15

All of the following are TRUE about Bowen”s approach to family therapy EXCEPT:

a. The therapeutic focus is on the transmission of emotional patterns of relating from one generation to the next.
b. All members of the family are seen in the therapeutic session
c. It holds that relationship patterns in one”s family of origin are predictive of relationship patterns in one”s family of formation
d. Differentiation is a key concept in this model

Answer 15

All of the following are TRUE about Bowen”s approach to family therapy EXCEPT:

b. All members of the family are seen in the therapeutic session.

Question 16

In family therapy, the therapist must attend to all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Each member of the family as an isolated individual
b. Each member of the family in interaction with each other family member
c. Subgroups within the family in interaction with each other
d. The family as a whole

Answer 16

In family therapy, the therapist must attend to all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Each member of the family as an isolated individual.

Question 17

A closed system includes all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Impermeable boundaries
b. Negative entropy
c. No exchange of energy/feedback
d. A structure devoid of subsystems

Answer 17

A closed system includes all of the following EXCEPT:

d. A structure devoid of subsystems.

Question 18

Which of the following terms is used to identify the system which is the target of attention?

a. The focal system
b. The supra system
c. The subsystem
d. The individual system

Answer 18

Which of the following terms is used to identify the system which is the target of attention?
a. The focal system.

Question 19

All of the following are therapeutic techniques in Bowen”s approach to family therapy EXCEPT:

a. Drawing a genogram
b. Coaching
c. Boundary adjustment
d. Use of directives

Answer 19

All of the following are therapeutic techniques in Bowen”s approach to family therapy EXCEPT:

d. Use of directives.

Question 20

A genogram may be utilized as an (a):
A. assessment instrument
b. an intervention
c. both

Answer 20

A genogram may be utilized as an (a):

c. both

Question 21

What’s the stance of an Intergenerational/Bowenian therapist?

a. differentiated, neutral & objective
b. involved & directive
c. emotionally reactive & differentiated

Answer 21

What’s the stance of Intergenerational/Bowenian therapist?

a. differentiated, neutral & objective

Question 22

What are some of the Intergenerational/Bowen- Methods/Techniques?

a. Focus on process not content
b. genogram, extensive history taking
c. “I” position
d. Detriangulate
e. Therapy is often long-term
f. only a & d

Answer 22

a. Focus on process not content
b. genogram, extensive history taking
c. “I” position
d. Detriangulate
e. Therapy is often long-term
f. only a & d

Question 23

Explain the Family Projection Process

Answer 23

In Bowenian family therapy, the lack of differentiation in parents often results in one of the parents becoming dysfunctional, immature and fused with one of the children.