Fundamental Concepts

Theory In order to understand how problems may be a product of the relationships surrounding them, we need a theory

Cybernetics Study of feedback mechanisms in self- regulating systems What are some of self-regulating systems that you can think of? Main Concepts: Homeostasis: Tendency of a system to remain in balance

Cybernetics Apply cybernetics to families Family rules: determines the range of behaviors that a system can tolerate Negative and positive feedback loops enforce those rules Sequences of family interaction maintain balance

Negative Feedback Loop Feedback loop: The process by which a system gets the information necessary to maintain a steady course Negative feedback loop: Error correcting information that restores status quo Blood sugar levels are high– increase in insulin Blood sugar levels are low– increase in appetite

Negative Feedback Loop

Positive Feedback Loop Positive feedback loop: Confirms that the system is in the right direction More of the same If you are on an icy road, if you step on the accelerator, you can spin out of control Scared of height no flying can’t go anywhere Phobia Panic attacks Dieting  Lose weight  More dieting  If it goes uncontrolled  anorexia Self-fulfilling prophecy

General Systems Theory Developed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy System refers to any entity maintained by the mutual interaction of its parts Essential properties of living systems arise from the relationships among its parts The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts

General Systems Theory Open system vs. closed system Open systems: More exchange with outside resources. Ex? Living systems don’t just react to stimuli– they initiate things Equifinality: Ability to reach a goal in a variety of ways No linear cause and effect relation Circular causality

General Systems Theory Organization within which family interactions take place Subsystems: Determined by gender, age group, generation, common interests, and function Parent subsystem Sibling subsystem Father-son Mother-son Parent-child etc.

General Systems Theory Application to families Our behaviors are products of relationship dynamics Everything is relational (as opposed to dispositional) Pursuer-distancer Overfunctioning-underfunctioning Controlling-rebellious

Summary of GST A system is more than its parts Emphasis on interaction within and among systems vs. reductionism Human systems are ecologic organisms rather than mechanisms Concept of equifinality Homeostatic reactivity versus spontaneous activity

Social Constructionism Objective reality does not exist Truth is relative and subjective Pictures are registered as organized by our nervous system We relate to the world based on our experiences and interpretations Interpretation is a mediator of behavior Deconstruct reality Application: Narrative therapy and solution focused therapy

Perception—what do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

Heartthrob or a thief? Perception is everything

A 14 year old doesn’t respect his parents A 14 year old doesn’t respect his parents. How would social contructivism interpret that?

Family narratives Family narratives organize and make sense of experience. They emphasize events that reinforce the plot line and filter out events that don’t fit into the narrative. Circularity between narratives, expectations, and behaviors A hyper-active 2 year old can be perceived as “trouble” “intelligent” Therapeutic application: Narrative therapy

Attachment Theory Examines the deeper roots of close relationships Types of attachment styles: Secure attachment Ambivalent/anxious attachment Avoidant attachment

Attachment Theory Characteristics of Attachment: Proximity Maintenance - The desire to be near the people we are attached to. Safe Haven - Returning to the attachment figure for comfort and safety in the face of a fear or threat. Secure Base - The attachment figure acts as a base of security from which the child can explore the surrounding environment. Separation Distress - Anxiety that occurs in the absence of the attachment figure. Application: Emotionally focused couples therapy

Working concepts of family therapy Interpersonal Context Russian dolls

Complementarity

Circular Causality Linear causality: kicking a stone Circular causality: kicking a dog Problems in families are maintained by ongoing series of actions and reactions

Triangles Going through divorce, parents put the children in the middle Kizim sana soyluyorum, gelinim sen anla

Process vs. Content Process: How people talk Content: What people say Ex: Toilet seat

Boundaries Visible and invisible barriers that regulate the amount of contact between subsystems Boundaries safeguard the autonomy of the family and subsystems Diffuse_ _ _ _ _ _ _____________ Rigid (Enmeshed) (Disengaged)

Family Life Cycle Families experience predictable changes throughout the lifespan: starts with marriage – ends with death Changes in one generation complicate adjustments in another Developmental stages Addition/subtraction of members Childhood stages Changes in family connections with social institutions

Stages of family life cycle Leaving home: single young adults Joining of families through marriage: The new couple Families with young children Families with adolescents Launching children and moving on Families in later life

Family Life Cycle On-track Off-track changes Problems occur where families are unable to accommodate the environmental and developmental changes

A new couple’s challenges Must develop complementary patterns of mutual support, or accommodation (compromise) Complemantary patterns can be temporary vs. permanent; healthy vs. unhealthy. Must develop a boundary that separates couple from children, parents and outsiders.

Challenges of new parents Emergence of a new system Must claim authority in a hierarchical structure Children need different types of parenting at different ages Infant: Care and feeding Children: Guidance & Control Teenagers: Independence & responsibility

Circumplex Model (Olson, Russell, & Sprenkle, 1983)