Systems Theory

Characteristics of Systemic View RECURSION Do not ask why? Not interested in cause People and events are viewed in the context of mutual interaction and mutual influence Behavior A is a logical complement of B One cannot dominate unless another submits Meaning is derived from the relation between individuals Causality becomes a reciprocal process Punctuation (focus on one point of reciprocal process)

The Family System Structure Subsystems Boundaries Morphostasis/Morphogenesis Feedback

Family Structure Structure- The organized pattern in which family members interact (who does what in system) Involves a set of covert rules (boundaries; see related slide) that govern transactions in the family Over time patterns are set, roles assigned, and things take on a sameness and predictability Father shops because driving is too anxiety provoking Mother disciplines because father is inpatient

Subsystems SUBSYSTEMS Smaller systems belonging to larger systems (hierarchy) Family consists of: Spousal Subsystem  Negotiate, adjust, accommodate from family of origin  Mutually supportive of each other in their development  Neither is so accommodating as to lose his/her individuality Parental Subsystem  Distinct from spousal relationship  Children are not equal. It is not a democracy and children must learn to deal with authority and unequal authority Sibling Subsystem  Allows experimentation with peer relations  Experiment with responsibility  Learn to take on parental subsystem (negotiation)

Boundaries Invisible barriers that regulate the amount of contact with others They protect the autonomy of the family Guide family or system in accomplishing it’s goal Three Categories of Boundaries Clear- firm and yet flexible allowing a degree of autonomy Rigid- implies disengagement within and between systems; family members are isolated from each other Diffuse- characterized by enmeshed relationships; extreme hovering and providing support when not needed

MORPHOSTASIS/MORPHOGENESIS Morphostasis- system’s tendency toward stability Morphogenesis- system enhancing behavior that allows for growth, creativity, and change that are characteristic of functional systems A balance of the two are important to the survival of the family system as they progress through the life cycle

FEEDBACK Process whereby information about past behavior is fed back into the system in a circular manner. Positive Feedback- indicates that change has occurred and been accepted Negative Feedback- indicates that the status quo is being maintained Both feedback processes can be either good or bad depending on the situation (think medical negative results) Feedback processes are self corrective and serve to temper variations and fluctuations and serve to increae the probability of the survival of the system

Key to Successful Families Traditional Family as Ideal Ability to make adaptive changes in structure relative to family circumstances and the developmental stages of its members Individual problems arise when family structures are inflexible The ideal family builds on a spouse subsystem in which each accommodates, nurtures, and supports the uniqueness of the other. Each spouse has achieved a level of autonomy from their family of origin Negotiation, accommodation, and adjustment Sibling subsystem feels the security and strength of both the spouse and parental subsystems (support/nurture)

Typological View of Parental Behavior Baumrind Two Critical Parent Behaviors Parental Responsiveness (degree of acceptance and support) Parental Demandingness (degree to which a parent expects and demands responsible bx) Four Parenting Typologies Authoritative (warm but firm) Authoritarian (value obedience and conformity) Indulgent (accepting with passive discipline) Indifferent (neglectful – little investment)

Variable Approach to Parental Behavior Barber’s Big Three Connection (love, support, cohesion) Regulation (behavioral control, monitoring) Autonomy (absence of psychological control) Compare and contrast his approach with Baumrind. Similarities and Differences Advantages and Disadvantages

Parental Behavior and Child Outcomes Authoritative Parenting Style Psychosocial Competence Responsible Self-Assurance and Self-Reliance Adaptive Creative Curious Intellectual Ability / Critical Thinking Relationship between adolescent competence and authoritative parenting may be the result of a reciprocal cycle in which the child’s psychosocial maturity elicits authoritative parenting which in turn leads to further development of maturity

Can You Love to Much Olsen’s Circumplex Model