Family Systems Theory Introduction Introduction Symbols Symbols Interlocks Interlocks Dr Murray Bowen

Introduction Working on Freud Theory Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas from Georgetown University in 1959

Symbols of Family Tree A man/boy A woman/girl Fusion Dead Person Cutoff /Divorce

8 Interlocks of Bowen Theory 1. Differentiation of Self 2. Triangle 3. Nuclear Family Emotional Process 4. Family Projection Process 5. Multigenerational Transmission Process 6. Sibling Position 7. Emotional Cutoff 8. Emotional Process in Society

1. Differentiation of Self The ability to separate feeling and thinking.

2. Triangle: A triangle is a three-person relationship system. A triangle is a three-person relationship system. A two-person system is unstable because it tolerates little tension before involving a third person. A two-person system is unstable because it tolerates little tension before involving a third person.

Looking for a girl They get married Looking for a boy Find each other In same level of differentiation Unstable Marriage She gets pregnant System gets anxious

3. Nuclear Family Emotional Process: The concept of the nuclear family emotional system describes four basic relationship patterns that govern where problems develop in a family. 1. Marital conflict 2. Dysfunction in one spouse 3. Impairment of one or more children 4. Emotional distance

4. Family Projection Process: The family projection process describes the primary way parents transmit their emotional problems to a child. 1. the parent focuses on a child out of fear that something is wrong with the child; 2. the parent interprets the child's behavior as confirming the fear; and 3. the parent treats the child as if something is really wrong with the child

5. Multigenerational Transmission Process: Describes how small differences in the levels of differentiation between parents and their offspring lead over many generations to marked differences in differentiation among the members of a multigenerational family. Describes how small differences in the levels of differentiation between parents and their offspring lead over many generations to marked differences in differentiation among the members of a multigenerational family.

6. Sibling Position: people who grow up in the same sibling position predictably have important common characteristics.

7. Emotional Cutoff: people managing their unresolved emotional issues with parents, siblings, and other family members by reducing or totally cutting off emotional contact with them.

8. Emotional Process in Society Describes how the emotional system governs behavior on a societal level, promoting both progressive and regressive periods in a society. Describes how the emotional system governs behavior on a societal level, promoting both progressive and regressive periods in a society.

References: Bowen, M. Kerr, M. (1978). Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. Jason Aronson, Inc. Ali Hooman Ali Hooman 29 th Oct., 2010 Ali Hooman Return to the first page Return to the first page