Family Systems Theory Exam Questions with Complete Solutions
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Course
FAML 400
Institution
FAML 400
Family Systems Theory - Answer-This theory allows one to understand the organizational complexity of families, as well as the interactive patterns that guide family interactions. In order to understand a family system we must look at the family as a whole and observe how they interact with each oth...
Family Systems Theory Exam Questions
with Complete Solutions
Family Systems Theory - Answer-This theory allows one to understand the
organizational complexity of families, as well as the interactive patterns that guide family
interactions. In order to understand a family system we must look at the family as a
whole and observe how they interact with each other to maintain homeostasis.
Advantages of using Family Systems Theory - Answer-It permits many different facet of
a system to be studied.
Allows for a variety of interactions between varying levels of subsystems, so can give a
variety of explanations instead of just one.
It can be used for analysis at the macro or the micro level.
Family Systems Theory Propositions - Answer-Systems (families included) tend to be
resistant to change and tend toward homeostasis.
Change can be very difficult for systems to do or to accept.
Systems are embedded within other systems (neighborhood, community, national).
Basic Assumptions of Family Systems Theory - Answer-1. The actions of one family
member have an affect on other family members. This is due to the fact that families
operate as a group or unit and all members are interconnected.
2. Understanding individual behavior is only possible by studying the whole family.
3. All systems affect their environment. This assumption is based on the concept of
feedback. All systems have a form of feedback in their operations. When systems
receive feedback they are able to use it to make or not make changes within their own
system. This assumption is very similar to the assumption that all families are
interconnected.
How to apply Family Systems Theory - Answer-Educating families to adopt change in
order to lead to a healthier family system.
Clinicians can help individuals see the affect that their behavior has on the entire
system.
Critiques of Family Systems Theory - Answer-• Major concepts seem to be to vague for
true testing.
• It is to general and abstract to pick up differences that would make it useful. To global
and abstract. It is too general to pick up important distinctions that would make it
worthwhile.
• Family process theorists make the mistake of confusing the model with the real thing.
They consider the system to be reality instead of a model for understanding.
, Understand the history of the Family Systems Theory - Answer-Originally family
systems theory was used for research in family communication and family theory but it
has expanded into complex family systems dynamics.
Who are the pioneers of the Family Systems Theory? - Answer-Ernest Burgess (1960)
"a unity of interacting personalities". Highly integrated (rituals, discipline,
interdependent). Un-integrated (lacking those features).
Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1969) developed basic ideas of general systems theory.
Heiden Rootes, Jankowski, and Sandage (2010)
How would you apply the Family Systems Theory to a family's interactions? - Answer-
Communication and Family Typologies (David Olson) - circumflex model of marital and
family systems (family cohesion, flexibility, and communication). By using active
listening, respect, and clarity, families are better able to achieve balanced levels of
cohesion and flexibility.
Family health and illness (Heather Kitzman-Ulrich 2010) - consider family systems when
it comes to obesity treatment. Yang and Rosenblatt (2007) use systems theory to
understand couple rage when a partner is dying.
Family dynamics and functioning - Vanessa Johnson (2010) impact of family functioning
on children's school adjustment. It is important to form healthy interaction patterns
during early years, enhance the mother-father alliance, as well as the father-child
relationship.
Clinical contexts - Heiden Rootes, Jankowski, and Sandage (2010) applied Bowan
family systems theory to understand the relationship between triangulation and religious
questing. Students with high levels of triangulation may be immobilized to differentiate,
and those with lower levels of triangulation may reveal less urgency to differentiate.
Differentiate - Answer-the ability to separate feelings and thoughts. Undifferentiated
people can not separate feelings and thoughts; when asked to think, they are flooded
with feelings, and have difficulty thinking logically and basing their responses on that.
Terms of Family Systems Theory? - Answer-Linear causality
Boundaries
Elements
Equilibrium
Family flexibility
Double bind
Mutuality
Feedback loops
Linear causality
Ecological malfeasance
Entropy
Set Point - Answer-In medicine "set point" is a term referring to any one of a number of
quantities such as weight, which the body tries to keep at a particular place (value). For
example, weight loss is difficult (although not impossible) because the body has a "set
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