Ludwig von Bertalanffy (theory) - ✔✔General systems theory
General Systems Theory (GST): underpinnings - ✔✔The focus is on the relationship between individuals,
not individuals themselves (whole > sum of parts). Changes in one part will have effect on the other
parts.
Open systems - ✔✔Systems that allow flow of info from outside system (GST)
Non-summativity - ✔✔The family system is treated as a whole and not just each individual family
member
Homeostasis - ✔✔Systems tend to resist change and thus deal with issues by
keeping things the same rather than dealing with problems. It is maintained
Family models/maps - ✔✔Individuals and system will consciously or unconsciously use models/maps to
manage boundaries and make sense of realities
Entropy - ✔✔Measure of disorder in a system if it is too open/closed, or BREAKING DOWN (GST)
Negative entropy - ✔✔System is balanced between open and closedness, info can enter or be screened
out as needed, or GROWTH (GST)
Equipotentiality - ✔✔Individual family
members sharing the same experiences within the system, but ending up with various results later in life
(cannot predict single outcome) (GST)
,Equifinality - ✔✔Individual family members arrive at the same result although they
began at different starting points (GST)
GST theory of change - ✔✔Change occurs when members of the system understand how their actions
and
communications affect the system as a whole. Once individuals have a greater
understanding of this, they can work more effectively together to optimize emotional and
social functioning of the system.
Positive feedback loops (amplifying) - ✔✔Variety in growth, info from outside of system that changes
homeostasis, risk for chaos (Cybernetics)
Negative feedback loops (attenuating) - ✔✔Constancy, info from outside of system that returns to
homeostasis, risk for rigidity (Cybernetics)
Morphogenesis - ✔✔A system's tendency towards growth and change, it can change its form while
maintaining balance (Cybernetics)
Morphogenesis is a result of... - ✔✔Positive feedback loops (Cybernetics)
Morphostasis - ✔✔System's tendency to maintain it's shape (Cybernetics)
First order change - ✔✔Temporary or surface level changes that don't affect rules or organization of
system. Behavioral changes that are not getting at underlying causes of issues. These changes tend to be
short-lived (Cybernetics)
Second order change - ✔✔Deeper changes that alter system's rules or organization. System is
reorganized to achieve healthier longer-term functioning (Cybernetics)
Wiener & Bateson (theory) - ✔✔Cybernetics
,Complementary relationships - ✔✔Based on differences that fit together; behavior of one balances that
of the other
Symmetrical relationships - ✔✔Based on equality, behavior of one mirrors that of the other.
Bateson's Communication Theory - ✔✔Every communication has a support and command function,
communication most often goes wrong at the command level. Also posits that family systems naturally
resist change and demand structure.
Proxemic communication - ✔✔Spatial relations
Streptic Communication - ✔✔Sounds (e.g. claps, whistles).
Analogic communication (or "command") - ✔✔Symbolic or metaphorical meaning in message, speaks to
relationship dynamics (power, structure, responsibilities, roles, etc)
Digital communication (or "report") - ✔✔Content/data of a message stripped of meaning, often verbal
Social Exchange Theory - ✔✔People make decisions based on cost/benefit analysis - MAX benefits, MIN
costs. People experience pursuit to get close to others as they begin to maximize benefits.
Reframing (GST) - ✔✔Conflict in family is not due to one person, rather the whole family system is the
problem and focus
, Circular causality - ✔✔One person's behavior is caused by and causes another's, impacting each other in
a circular manner (Cybernetics)
Boundaries - ✔✔Abstract lines between parts of and whole systems, typically defined by implicit and
explicit rules (GST)
Closed system - ✔✔Systems that maintain boundaries and can't be easily crossed, impenetrable (GST)
Family life cycle (GST) - ✔✔Unattached young adult
Newly married
Family with young kids
Family with adolescents
Launching family
Family in later years
Duvall's 8 Stages of Family Life Cycle - ✔✔Stage 1: beginning families (married couple without children),
task- establish satisfying home/marriage.
Stage 2: Early child bearing. Task- adjusting to increased family size and caring for infant.
stage 3: families with preschoolers (oldest child is 2.5-6 y.o). Task- satisfying needs and interests of
preschool children.
Stage 4: families with school children. Task- supporting educational achievement and assimilation into
the community.
Stage 5: families with teens. Task- teach independence.
Stage 8: aging families. Task- Adjusting to retirement and coping with death of spouse.
Identified patient - ✔✔The family member who manifests symptoms and is brought
in as the focus of treatment. This person is considered the scapegoat who is
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