Family Systems Theory

Family Systems Theory

Communication and Family Typologies

Family Health and Illness

Systems concepts are particularly useful in understand families and health matter. An example that was given in the book was the problem with obesity and how the family systems theory can help comprehend the dynamics within the family

David Olson has linked theory with research by developing models of marital and family systems. The model includes there dimensions: family cohesion, flexibility and communication. Family scholars have used the instruments in hundreds of research articles to examine all types of family relationships and problems.

Family types are based on the rigidity of family boundaries

Family Dynamics and Function

Three basic family types based on rigidity of family boundaries and rules-

Open Families- basically democratic

random family- almost no boundaries

closed family- family members are enmeshed or overly involved in each other's lives

A variety of studies examine the impact of carious dimensions of family functioning on some aspect of life for individual members or for the family as a whole.

All family members take on roles

Clinical Contexts

Family roles are defined as "recurring patterns of behavior developed through interaction that family members use to fulfill family functions." Through dialogue and interactions with one another, families create shared meanings or expectations about how various roles should be played.

Family Systems theory and its related concepts are especially useful within therapeutic contexts.

Research and Application

Pathological communication contributes to relationship problems

What you say and how you say it effects those around you.

History

Feedback Loops Guide Behavior

Family systems correct themselves or regain homeostasis through feedback loops.

Negative feedback-Family member begins to move outside the excepted limits of family behavior and others enact corrective measures to get that member back in line.

Positive feedback-A rewarding response for the deviation, promoting change in the family.

Rules result from the redundancy principle and are critical in defining a family

Repetitive patterns of interaction which are the rules by which a family lives by.

Waller

Circular causality guides behavior

Instead of focusing on the content of the cause and forgetting the start, there are a number of focus's that move in all directions.

A Baby's Mobile

Example-

Another way of thinking about it is to compare a system to a child's mobile hanging over a crib. A number of interesting objects are connected by strings or wires. Whenever one is hit, it causes the others to move. If you remove one of the objects, the entire system becomes unbalanced.

A newlywed couple avoids the constant calls from their parents and in-laws. From their viewpoint, they are running away from the parents because they are running after them. However, the parents see it differently-- they would not have to call and visit so often if the adult children would just see the occasionally.

The locus of pathology is not within the person but is a system dysfunction

1938- Waller wrote a textbook about the family

-He said, "The family is basically a closed system of social interaction."

- explored the idea that family experiences are repetitive and based on patterns of interactions.

The location of a problem is not within the person, but is a struggle between persons

The whole is greater than the sum of it's parts

Family Systems Theory

A family is much more then the collection of individuals who live together and are related to each other; it has holistic quality.

Inside Out Video Clip

In this clip, the family cannot have their own reactions without thinking about the other members. Riley the daughter is upset, and the parents react based on her emotions.

Basic Assumptions

Families are an emotional unit; individuals cannot be understood in isolation of one another, but in a family unit.

System

Essentially any set of objects,

with their attributes,

that relate to each other in a

way that creates a new

"super entity"

Third

Burgess 1st Family Type

Family process theorists in particular make the mistake of deifying the idea of system. Instead of remembering this is a model for understanding then they slip into considering the system to be reality.

Rituals, Discipline, and

independence

Burgess

Second

The systems theory is too global and abstract, and is therefore virtually meaningless or just too general.

1920- Ernest Burgess referred to the family as "a unity of interacting personalities."

-the family is a living, growing "super personality" that has its essence in the interaction of its members.

- Burgess described two different types of families...

First

There is a belief that system theory is more of a model or flowchart for conceptualizing, and that it does not qualify as a true theory.

Critique

Burgess 2nd Family Type

Lack of rituals, discipline and independence