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. Living Systems and Reductionism
Any organized entity is composed of smaller parts and the entity can be understood by reducing it to its smallest part.
Living systems are nonreductionistic.
Family systems are living systems.

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

11. Definitions of systems
Definition 1: “A system is defined as a whole made up of interacting parts. You can not add these parts together and get the total system
The system is more than the sum of its parts
Definition 2: “A family system is a social and/or biological construction made up of a set of people related by blood or intention.”

12. Elements in System
Members interact in reciprocal relationships, responding to one another in the context of roles.
Interaction – the interplay between members
Reciprocity – both parties influence each other as they interact with each other
Circular Causality vs. Linear Causality
Roles – a character or function one plays
Complementarity of roles

13. Boundaries
The "lines of demarcation" that indicate who is in and who is out of a system.
Boundaries can be physical or symbolic (or both)
Permeability
Ability to enter and exit the system
Degree to which the system is open
Diffuse_ _ _ _ _ _ _____________ Rigid
(Enmeshed) (Disengaged)
Boundary Ambiguity
Uncertainty about who is in and who is out of the system
Very common at times of transition

14. Hierarchies – power One Up/ One Down - Superior/ Inferior Egalitarian
Captain makes decisions and first mate carries them out
Egalitarian
Both partners maintain or attempt to maintain an equal relationship
Difficult to maintain, if focus is on total equality, in every way

15. Change vs. Stability
“Family systems are stable in their chaos and orderly in their disorder . . .”
Families are predictable in general, unpredictable in detail.
What does this mean?

16. Homeostasis
The tendency of a system to return to a state of equilibrium
This is counteracted by the need for change in a living system (or the natural state of change in living system)

17. Epigenesis
Whatever we do early in our lives and our relationships has a significant impact on what happens later in our lives.
This is why your early experiences in your family have such an impact on you and why it’s difficult to change long-standing patterns.
Can you think of an example?

18. Equifinality and Equipotentiality
Equifinality -- Many beginnings can lead to the same outcome.
Equipotentiality -- the same beginnings can result in different outcomes.

19. Subsystems
Smaller units in the larger system which share the characteristics of the larger system
Because of subsystems, you have multiple identities in the system
Determined by gender, age group, generation, common interests, and function
Examples?
Parent subsystem
Sibling subsystem
Father-son
Mother-son
Parent-child etc.

20. Alliances
Weaker elements in a system join with stronger (or combine with other weak ones) to counter a stronger element.
Triangles
Going through divorce, parents put the children in the middle
“Kizim sana soyluyorum, gelinim sen anla”

21. In small groups, define and provide examples of:
Hierarchies
Homeostasis
Epigenesis
Equifinality – equipotentiality
Subsystems
Alliances
Reductionism
System elements
Interaction
Reciprocity
Roles
Wholeness
Boundaries
Permeability
Ambiguity

22. Summary of GST The whole is more than the sum of its parts
Human systems are ecologic organisms rather than mechanisms
Emphasis on interaction within and among systems vs. reductionism
Everything is relational

23. Other theories Social constructionism– Narrative Attachment theory
Family Life cycle

24. 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

25. Perception—what do you see?

26. What do you see?

27. What do you see?

28. Heartthrob or a thief? Perception is everything

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

30. 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

31. Attachment Theory Examines the deeper roots of close relationships
Types of attachment styles:
Secure attachment
Ambivalent/anxious attachment
Fearful avoidant attachment
Dismissive avoidant attachment

32. 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

33. Boundaries
Visible and invisible barriers that regulate the amount of contact between subsystems
Boundaries safeguard the autonomy of the family and subsystems

34. 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

35. 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

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

37. 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.

38. 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