Cultural/Systemic Approaches
Family systems theory – came from clinical observations over time.
Family Systems Theory
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Family systems theory – came from clinical observations over time. The theory–individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another ? Families are systems of interconnected and interdependent individuals. ? Clinically, the individual cannot be understood or well-treated separate from the others.
How is a family a “system?”
How is a family a “system?”
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Theorists use a “mobile” as metaphor
How is a family a “system?”
Theorists use a “mobile” as metaphor ?? When you move any one piece, all the other pieces move too!
How is a family a “system?”
Theorists use a “mobile” as metaphor ?? When you move any one piece, all the other pieces move too! ?? They do not exist in isolation from one another.
How is a family a “system?”
Theorists use a “mobile” as metaphor ?? When you move any one piece, all the other pieces move too! ?? They do not exist in isolation from one another. ?? “Movement” in any one part of the “system” will affect all the rest of the parts of the system.
Family Systems Theory Vocabulary
Family Roles ?? Family Rules ?? Homeostasis/Equilibrium
Family Systems Theory Vocabulary
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Family Roles–what is expected of each family member
? Basic roles are “father,” “mother,” “aunt,” “daughter,” “son,” “grandmother,” etc. What is expected from people in each of these roles? ? Roles beyond the obvious: For example, the family “clown.” Another person may be the “responsible one.” Someone may be the “emotional one.” One family member may be the “crazy” person, or the “old maid.” ? What roles do family members and extended family members in your family play?
Family Rules:
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior.
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves?
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves?
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves? ?? How affectionate or emotional are family members expected or allowed to be with each other?
Monday, June 9, 14
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves? ?? How affectionate or emotional are family members expected or allowed to be with each other?
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves? ?? How affectionate or emotional are family members expected or allowed to be with each other? ?? How do decisions get made in the family? Who has input and who is expected to “just go along”? How is the final decision made?
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves? ?? How affectionate or emotional are family members expected or allowed to be with each other? ?? How do decisions get made in the family? Who has input and who is expected to “just go along”? How is the final decision made?
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves? ?? How affectionate or emotional are family members expected or allowed to be with each other? ?? How do decisions get made in the family? Who has input and who is expected to “just go along”? How is the final decision made? ?? Are there limits on “how much” or in what ways kids can argue with their parents?
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves? ?? How affectionate or emotional are family members expected or allowed to be with each other? ?? How do decisions get made in the family? Who has input and who is expected to “just go along”? How is the final decision made? ?? Are there limits on “how much” or in what ways kids can argue with their parents?
Family Rules:
Rules or expectations (often unspoken) about family behavior. ?? When people are angry at each other, do they express this or keep it to themselves? ?? How affectionate or emotional are family members expected or allowed to be with each other? ?? How do decisions get made in the family? Who has input and who is expected to “just go along”? How is the final decision made? ?? Are there limits on “how much” or in what ways kids can argue with their parents? ?? How much are family members “allowed” to talk to people outside the family about family problems?
Monday, June 9, 14
Families tend to develop behavioral patterns These patterns become “unspoken rules.” Family members may see these things as “just the way it is,” and assume all families behave the same way. Exposure to social situations, or even therapy, shows that families do these things differently from one another.
Think about the “family rules” or behavioral and emotional expecations in your family of origin and extended family Think about family rules in your current family or future family.
Homeostasis–Equilibrium
Homeostasis–Equilibrium
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Systems become reliable and predictable, including family roles & family rules .
Homeostasis–Equilibrium
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Systems become reliable and predictable, including family roles & family rules .
Homeostasis–Equilibrium
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Systems become reliable and predictable, including family roles & family rules . Whether or not these roles & rules are helpful, there is a pull from the system to not change–to continue functioning as things have always been.
Homeostasis–Equilibrium
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Systems become reliable and predictable, including family roles & family rules . Whether or not these roles & rules are helpful, there is a pull from the system to not change–to continue functioning as things have always been.
Homeostasis–Equilibrium
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Systems become reliable and predictable, including family roles & family rules . Whether or not these roles & rules are helpful, there is a pull from the system to not change–to continue functioning as things have always been. The family system tends to maintain “equilibrium” or “homeostasis” (balance) even if it is dysfunctional or unhealthy.
Systems become reliable and predictable, including family roles & family rules . Whether or not these roles & rules are helpful, there is a pull from the system to not change–to continue functioning as things have always been. The family system tends to maintain “equilibrium” or “homeostasis” (balance) even if it is dysfunctional or unhealthy. Think of the mobile. If you move one part, the other parts move. When you let go of that one part, the whole “system” (i.e., the parts of the mobile) will eventually settle back to the original position.
A dyad is a group of two people. An example:
A dyad is a group of two people. An example: Distancer—Pursuer Dyad:
A dyad is a group of two people. An example: Distancer—Pursuer Dyad:
? One person who seeks closeness (the pursuer) while his/her partner (the distancer) wants more space or independence and pulls back from the relationship.
A dyad is a group of two people. An example: Distancer—Pursuer Dyad:
? One person who seeks closeness (the pursuer) while his/her partner (the distancer) wants more space or independence and pulls back from the relationship.
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This pattern occurs in dating relationships or even in close friendships.
A dyad is a group of two people. An example: Distancer—Pursuer Dyad:
? One person who seeks closeness (the pursuer) while his/her partner (the distancer) wants more space or independence and pulls back from the relationship.
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This pattern occurs in dating relationships or even in close friendships.
A dyad is a group of two people. An example: Distancer—Pursuer Dyad:
? One person who seeks closeness (the pursuer) while his/her partner (the distancer) wants more space or independence and pulls back from the relationship.
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This pattern occurs in dating relationships or even in close friendships. This pattern may occur in marriages and in parent-child relationships, even work relationships at times.
As the “distancer & pursuer” act out their “roles” within the relationship, a cycle can develop.
As the “distancer & pursuer” act out their “roles” within the relationship, a cycle can develop. ? The pursuer pushes for closeness while the distancer pulls back.
As the “distancer & pursuer” act out their “roles” within the relationship, a cycle can develop. ? The pursuer pushes for closeness while the distancer pulls back. ? The pursuer then feels “abandoned” and thus feels even more even more of a need for connection & so pushes even harder for connection.
As the “distancer & pursuer” act out their “roles” within the relationship, a cycle can develop. ? The pursuer pushes for closeness while the distancer pulls back. ? The pursuer then feels “abandoned” and thus feels even more even more of a need for connection & so pushes even harder for connection. ? As a result, the distancer feels “smothered” and pulls away even more…
As the “distancer & pursuer” act out their “roles” within the relationship, a cycle can develop. ? The pursuer pushes for closeness while the distancer pulls back. ? The pursuer then feels “abandoned” and thus feels even more even more of a need for connection & so pushes even harder for connection. ? As a result, the distancer feels “smothered” and pulls away even more… ? …and so on & so forth…..a cycle!
How do we get in the cycle? Who starts it?
How do we get in the cycle? Who starts it? Family systems theory sees this question as like the question: “What came first? The chicken or the egg?”
How do we get in the cycle? Who starts it? Family systems theory sees this question as like the question: “What came first? The chicken or the egg?” Like that, it may impossible to say whether the “distancer” or the “pursuer” started it! In the cycle, BOTH patterns cause the OTHER
How do we get in the cycle? Who starts it? Family systems theory sees this question as like the question: “What came first? The chicken or the egg?” Like that, it may impossible to say whether the “distancer” or the “pursuer” started it! In the cycle, BOTH patterns cause the OTHER Family systems theorists refer to this concept as circular causality.
Circular Causality
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Circular causality – each family member’s behavior is caused by and causes the other family members’ behaviors. They each impact the other, in a circular manner.
Overfunctioner-Underfunctioner Dyad
??The other member of the dyad (the underfunctioner) may be less responsible, more fun-loving, more spontaneous, etc. ??One member of the dyad (the overfunctioner) is very responsible. This person wants things to be planned. ?? Imagine a married couple as they deal with finances in the family. The overfunctioner thinks that its important to budget and to stay within a budget. ??The underfunctioner thinks that sometimes you just have to be willing to splurge and enjoy! ??Could one person “enable” the other? Could this “enabling” keep the cycle going?
The overfunctioner tends to see the underfunctioner as irresponsible and immature. The underfunctioner tends to see the overfunctioner as controlling & rigid. Just as we saw in the distancer-pursuer relationship, the more the overfunctioner overfunctions, the more the underfunctioner (in reaction) will tend to underfunction. The causality is circular. Once the cycle has started, each person’s behavior contributes to the other person’s behavior.
Circular causality
The distancer-pursuer and overfunctioner-underfunctioner are just two examples of the sorts of circular patterns that can develop in families. There are many other possibilities. ?? A good clue to a “circular” pattern is when people tend to respond in predictable ways to each other, and their responses may become more extreme or even “stubborn” over time.
What “circular” patterns have you seen in your own family or relationships?
According to Systems Theory, these systems are resistant to change, we want to maintain homeostasis. This is true even if the change might seem to be a desirable, or healthier one! For example, if the “distancer” within a relationship tries to seek out connection within the relationship, the “pursuer” may –in perhaps unintended, subconscious ways—sabotage the distancer’s attempts to change.
In conclusion, the Family Systems approach suggests that our behavior may have as much to do with the “systems” (groups) of which we are a part—and the patterns that get established within these systems– as it may have to do with the personality of each person within the system. These clinicians look at the family as a whole rather than just the individual and the presenting problem or diagnosis.
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