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Clinical Psychology: Family Theory
Notes from Academic Review Reading Materials
57
Psychology
Professional
05/20/2009

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Cards

Term
Systems Theory
Definition
The systems theory shows the family as a system of interacting relationships and transactional patterns
Term
Open System
Definition

A system that is open to outside influence

 

Able to receive energy be interacating with the environment

Term
Closed System
Definition

A system that is resistant to change

 

Goal of Family Therapies is to avoid this

Term
Properties of a Family System
Definition

Wholeness

Non-summativity

Equifinality

Equipotentiality

Homeostasis

Negative Feedback

Positive Feedback

Term
Wholeness
Definition
Every part of a system is interrelated; if chagne enters one part of the system, the other parts are also changed
Term
Non-Summativity
Definition
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Family therapists coming from a systems approach look at the family as a whole, rather than a collection of individuals
Term
Equifinality
Definition
no matter where one enters the system, the same end result occurs for the family. i.e., whatever two family members argue about, the effect on the system will be the same. Patterns of behavior are critical, not topics or controversies
Term
Equipotentiality
Definition

One cause can lead to different results.

 

exp: father/daughter incest can lead to either promiscuity or sexual inhibition in the daughter

Term
Homeostasis
Definition
Tendency for the system to restore status quo in the event of a change/disruption in the system. The degree to which homeostasis exists in a family is determined by the family's management of positive/negative feedback
Term
Negative Feedback
Definition
Maintenance of a family's homeostasis by attempting to correct deviations in the status quo. This restores the comfortable equilibrium in the system.
Term
Positive Feedback
Definition
Disruption of a family's homeostasis by encouraging/creating deviations in the status quo. This requires people to change their roles in the system.
Term
Communications/Interaction Therapy
Definition

Developed from research conducted at the Mental Research Instititue in Palo Alto

 

Central Idea: all behavior is a form of communication.

Term
Marjor concepts in Communication/Interaction Therapy
Definition

Double Blind Communication

Metacommunication

Symmetrical communication

Complementary communication

Term
Double-Blind Communication
Definition

Communication that occures when two aspects of the same communication conflict each other. Results in frustration for receiver

 

exp: Mother who says "I love you" while pushing child off her lap

Term
Metacommunication
Definition

Command Level of communication

Implicit, non-verbal messages that accompany verbal communication

Term
Two levels of communcation
Definition

Report level - intended verbal statement

Command Level - implicit non-verbal message

Term
Symmetrical Communications
Definition

Communications are symmetrical when there is equality between communicators

 

Often leads to competition and conflict as each member vies for control 

Term
Complementary Communications
Definition
Communication pattern where there is inequality, which one partner taking a dominant role and one taking a subordinate role.
Term
Extended Family Systems Therapy
Definition

(Bowen)

 

Includes members of the extended family in the family system

Term
Dysfunction accd to Bowen
Definition
Family dysfunction is part of an intergenrational process
Term
Eight constructs of Bowen's theory
Definition
  1. Differentiation of self
  2. Triangulation
  3. Nuclear Family Emotional System
  4. Family Projective Process
  5. Emotional Cutoff
  6. Multigenerational Transmission Process
  7. Sibling Position
  8. Societal Regression
Term
Differentiation of Self
Definition

Individual's ability to separate his/her intellectual from emotinoal functioning. The lower the ability to differentiate, the more likely it is that a person will become fused w/ other family member's emotions and problems.

 

(Bowen)

Term
Triangulation
Definition

Occurs when two family members in conflict involve a third person in the conflict.

 

 

(Bowen)

Term
Nuclear Family Emotional System
Definition

The mechanisms a nuclear family uses to deal with tension and instability

 

(Bowen)

Term
Family Projective Process
Definition

The projection of parental conflicts and general family dysfunction onto the children

 

(Bowen)

Term
Emotional Cutoff
Definition

Methds children use to remove themselves from emotional ties to their parents. this avoidance of emotional involvement leads to a lack of self-differentiation

 

(Bowen)

Term
Multigenerational Transmission Process
Definition

The escalation of family dysfunction through several generations. Leads to severe dysfunction

 

(Bowen)

Term
Sibling Position
Definition

Birth order of children - impacts family functioning in a number of ways

 

 

(Bowen)

Term
Societal Regression
Definition

The impact of societial stress on the family system

 

(Bowen)

Term
Goal of Extended Family Systems Therapy
Definition
Encouraging differentiation of self in all family members.
Term
Interventions in Extended Family Systems Therapy
Definition

Genograms - schematic diagram of the family system, depicts 3 generations of family

Therapeutic Triangle- therapist will case self as third member in a triad

Term
Structural Family Therapy
Definition

Minuchin

 

views the family as organism/structure. When the structure's dysfunctional processes are maintained, the family is underfunctioning. The goal is to disrupt these processes and push the family toward better functioning

Term

Family system

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition
Family is a system, rather than a set of individuals
Term

Family Structure

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition
Family members relate to each toehr accd to an implicit structure, which includes its own set of rules, rituals, etc.
Term

Subsystems

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition
Within the family system, subsystems are formed
Term

Boundaries

 

(Structural Family Therapy)

Definition
Rules that determine the amount/type of contact between family members
Term

Enmeshment

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition
Results from unclear boundaries that promote dependence
Term

Disengagement

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition
Results from overly rigid boundaries that promote isolation
Term

Triangulation

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition
Each parent demands that a child side with him/her against the other; whenever child sides w/ one parent, he/she is defined as attacking the other
Term

Detouring

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition
Spouses reinforce deviant behavior in the child b/c it takes the focus off of the problems they are having with each other
Term

Stable Coalition

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition
One parent creats a coalition with the child against the other parent
Term
Goal of Structural Family Tx
Definition
To restructure the family
Term
Process of Structural Family Therapy
Definition

Joining - thearpist blends into family system

Creating a Family Map - observes patterns in family system

Restructuring the family - using restructuring techniques

Term

Restructuring Techniques

 

(Structural Family Tx)

Definition

Enactment - role play family relationships

Reframing - Relabel behavior in a more positive light

Blocking - force to adopt new patterns of interacting

Term
Strategic Family Therapy
Definition

Haley

 

Therapy is a power struggle between client therapist - the goal is to intervene/effect change as quickly as possible, foucing on the current problem

Term
Strategic Intervention
Definition
Strategies a therapist uses to reduce or eliminate symptoms within a family system
Term
Who influenced Haley
Definition
Milton Erikson
Term
Strategies used by strategic family therapists
Definition

Directives

Reframing

Circular Questioning

Term

Directives

 

(Haley)

Definition

Direct instructions to family members

 

Intended to promote change

Term

Reframing

 

(Haley)

Definition

Relabeling a bheaivor to make it more amenable to change

 

Give new meaning to/altering the meaning of a situation

Term
Accd to Becvar & Becvar, what is the key to reframing?
Definition
Offering a meaning that is acceptable, believable and makes sense
Term
Circular Questioning
Definition
Interviewing technique designed to help thearpist and family learn more about patterns in family relationships. Therapist asks each family member to describe relatinonships, and notes differences.
Term
Object-Relations Family Therapy
Definition
Rooted in psychodynamic principals. Focuses on interpreting current relationships between family members in terms of transferences resulting from the early parent-child relationship
Term
How does Object-Relations Family Therapy differ from other family therapies?
Definition

Core tenet is that insight is a requirement for family change

Current problems in relationships can be interpreted in terms of transference

Term
Techniques in Object-Relations Family Therapy
Definition

Non-directive listening

Analysis of transference/countertransference/resistance

Development of a supportive and tolerant therapeutic environment

Interpretations of children's play

Term
Operant Interpersonal Therapy
Definition

(Stuart)

Form of marital therapy based on operant conditioning and social exchange theory. Emphasis is to encourage couples to provide more positive reinforcement to each other.

Term
Stuart would say that the difference between successful and unsuccessful marriages is:
Definition
Frequency and range of reciprocal positive reinforcements exchanged.
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