1. Fundamental Concepts

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Negative Feedback Loop

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Perception—what do you see?

15. What do you see?

16. What do you see?

17. Heartthrob or a thief? Perception is everything

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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. Working concepts of family therapy
Interpersonal Context
Russian dolls

23. Complementarity

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

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

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

27. 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)

28. 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

29. 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

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

31. 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.

32. 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

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