1. + Social Theories Systems Theory

2. + Definition The sociological theory that attempts to explain how groups of individuals interact as a system - a set of different parts that work together and influence one another in a relatively stable way over time. Key term: INFLUENCE Influence: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development or behaviour of someone

3. + Basic Principles… Feedback Feedback implies give and take. The individuals within the family system influence one another in a reciprocal way This makes it difficult to trace the origins of influence Example:

4. + Cute dress mom! OMGness, I can’t believe I’m hip enough to pull off this kickin’ dress.

5. + In our everyday lives our families influence our behaviours. How? Any family examples? Older sibling/younger sibling. Family members even influence the behaviours once they have left the family system (i.e. divorce, death).

6. + Family Subsystems: The larger family system contains subsystems: Family-unit subsystem of those members sharing a household Interpersonal subsystems between individuals, such as husband-wife or mother-son Personal subsystem comprised of interaction between the individual as self and as member of the family

7. + What’s the point? Family systems develop strategies for achieving the goals and the functions of individuals and of the family Strategies: Patterns of interaction and behaviour that are repeated. These repeated patterns can predict future behaviours of family members or explain current behaviours of family members

8. + Genogram a pictorial display of a person's family relationships and medical history.family relationships medical history It goes beyond a traditional family tree by allowing the user to visualize hereditary patterns and psychological factors that influence relationships.family tree It can be used to identify repetitive patterns of behavior and to recognize hereditary tendencies.

10. + Systems Theory in the Media: Modern Family Directions: Watch the episode of Modern Family and create a genogram of the family depicted in the episode