Family social system

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of a family as a social system?

  • A temporary gathering of individuals with no lasting emotional ties or obligations beyond immediate needs.
  • A natural, sustained system with evolved rules, assigned roles, a power structure, communication forms, and problem-solving methods. (correct)
  • Individuals related only by blood that share a common financial portfolio.
  • A group of individuals who share the same physical space, psychological space and are independent of external cultural influences.

Family membership typically ends when an individual reaches adulthood and no longer lives with their family of origin.

False (B)

Name three properties of a family social system.

Evolved set of rules, assigned and ascribed roles for its members, organized power structure

Relationships within a family system are primarily based on a shared history, internalized perceptions, and assumptions about the world, and a sense of ______.

<p>purpose</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the characteristic with the correct level of the family system:

<p>Individual = Internalized perceptions Family Unit = Organized power structure Community = Socioeconomic status Society = Cultural norms</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of a family system involves both spoken and unspoken methods of interaction?

<p>Overt and covert forms of communication (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do multigenerational emotional attachments typically manifest within a family system?

<p>They fluctuate in intensity and distance over time but persist over the lifetime of the family. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A family system's adaptability is solely determined by its financial stability.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the shift in the perception of the 'typical American family'?

<p>A shift towards recognizing diverse family arrangements beyond the traditional nuclear model. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The idealized depiction of the American nuclear family has always been the reality for the majority of Americans.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name three factors that have contributed to changing expectations regarding marriage in contemporary society.

<p>Occupational opportunities, the evolution of women’s rights, a more flexible commitment to marriage as a permanent union</p> Signup and view all the answers

Families develop structural characteristics and interactive patterns based on shared __________ and family __________.

<p>assumptions, narratives</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the family situation with its description:

<p>Dual-earner families = Both parents are employed outside the home. Stepfamilies = Families formed through remarriage, including children from previous relationships. Single-parent households = Families with only one parent present. Adoptive families = Families with children who are not biologically related to the parents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of family rules, whether explicitly stated or not?

<p>To outline and allocate the roles and functions of its members. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Families readily embrace change in order to quickly adapt to new circumstances.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name three types of unplanned crises that families might face.

<p>Job dislocation or loss, divorce, death of a key member</p> Signup and view all the answers

Families display stable, collaborative, purposeful, and recurring patterns of __________ sequences.

<p>interactive</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of family interaction is described as transmitting family rules and functions governing the range of acceptable behaviors via subtle, coded transactions?

<p>Nonverbal exchange patterns. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Changes such as remarriage, child placement with relatives, foster care, and orphanages were never a part of American life in the past.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the resources, what evolved from the division of labor between men and women in early societies and served to ensure family survival and efficiency?

<p>Marriage and intact family life. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name three examples of what has broadened our view of family life.

<p>Working mothers, single-parent households, dual-earner families</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult for family members to relinquish their membership, even when distanced?

<p>Family relationships are often the longest continuous commitments in an individual's life. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To facilitate the cohesive process, a family typically develops _______ that outline and allocate the roles and functions of its members.

<p>rules</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family members' roles and emotional ties can be fully replaced by a substitute if a member leaves or dies.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should all families do to promote family well-being, regardless of family format?

<p>Promote positive relationships among members, attend to personal needs, and prepare to cope with changes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of shared family rituals?

<p>To help families adapt to change while reaffirming group unity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the family systems framework, what two simultaneous processes do families and their individual members undergo?

<p>Growth and change</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family narratives have minimal impact on how a family functions.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Families maintain a history by retelling their family '______' from one generation to the next.

<p>story</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must family members do to function successfully within the family and in the wider community?

<p>Adapt to the changing needs and expectations of both family members and the external world. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of language and dialogue in family interactions?

<p>Language and dialogue play a crucial role in how family members come to know the world and interpret their experiences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Patterned family interactions are predictable transactional patterns generated by all family members, as though each participant feels compelled to play a well-rehearsed ____.

<p>part</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of well-functioning families, besides system survival?

<p>Encouragement of individual potential, exploration, and security. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An 'enabled' family system prioritizes the needs of the family unit while neglecting the interests of individual members.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the family dynamics with their descriptions:

<p>Family Rituals = Symbolic actions that help families adapt to change while reinforcing group unity. Family Narratives = Stories a family recounts that help explain or justify their structure and interactive patterns. Family Assumptions = Fundamental and enduring beliefs about the world instilled by the family. Patterned Interactions = Jointly engaged-in, highly predictable transactional patterns generated by all family members.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are family transactions often 'invisible'?

<p>Because they are constantly changing and involve minutiae. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Constantine, what reflects family disablement?

<p>To do less, or to prevail at the expense of certain members</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family rituals are primarily about resisting change and maintaining the status quo.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Families experiencing external or internal stress may need ______ support.

<p>community</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do family narratives influence individual judgment about reality?

<p>Family narratives shape individual judgment by instilling beliefs and stories about the family's experiences, which become the basis for understanding reality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can social networks offer to families that feel isolated and defeated, according to Pigott and Monaco (2004)?

<p>A step toward reducing isolation and increasing possibilities of more effective self-care and improved quality of life. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Historically, how was entrance into a family system defined?

<p>Through birth, adoption, or marriage. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family membership is based on acceptance of and belief in a set of abiding ____ or shared constructs about the family itself and its relationship to its social environment.

<p>suppositions</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do families that perceive their environment as menacing typically behave?

<p>They band together and insist on agreement to protect against threats. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Today's definition of family is limited to legally married heterosexual couples and their children.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Beyond traditional family structures, what other factors contribute to divisions and complexities within family types?

<p>Early or later marriages, interracial coupling, foster parenting, informal kinship adoptions, social class position, and so forth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family social constructions always reflect an objective view of reality.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of family mementos and stories in connecting a family to previous generations?

<p>Family mementos and stories provide a tangible and emotional link to the past, preserving family history and values across generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

An inclusive 21st-century definition of family must include people who choose to spend their lives together in a ______ relationship despite the lack of legal sanctions or bloodlines.

<p>kinship</p> Signup and view all the answers

Shared family rituals ensure family _____ and _____.

<p>identity, continuity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following family system concepts with their descriptions:

<p>Family Continuity = Ensured by retelling the family 'story' from one generation to the next. Enabled Family System = Balances system needs while facilitating the interests of individual members. Family Disablemen = Manifested in unstable, rigid, or chaotic family patterns. Social Networks = Reduce isolation and increase possibilities of more effective self-care.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What influence do social class expectations have on families?

<p>They influence what members consider possible, acceptable, conceivable, or attainable. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Openly disagreeing with family narratives always strengthens family bonds.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do some families justify the continuation of undesirable behavior?

<p>By constructing a rationale that they have no alternative. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The postmodern perspective suggests there is one 'true' reality that all families experience.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define family resiliency in the context of adverse conditions.

<p>The ability to thrive and maintain stable functioning despite challenges.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family processes can ______ a person’s recovery during periods of persistent stress.

<p>mediate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following events with the type of strain they represent:

<p>Retirement = Expectable strain Unexpected job loss = Sudden and untimely strain Divorce = Expectable strain Earthquake = Sudden and untimely strain</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of family rituals in understanding a family's values?

<p>They reflect and reinforce the family's shared values and identity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All families react to disturbing events in the same way.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential outcome of families facing distress, threat, trauma, or crisis?

<p>Growth and the potential to emerge stronger.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Rather than viewing resiliency as a rare trait, Masten (2001) contends that such recuperative skills are common phenomena arising from ordinary ______ processes.

<p>adaptive</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the case of Paul and Margaret after Hurricane Katrina, what was a significant challenge they faced regarding their living situation?

<p>Strained relations living with Paul’s parents. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Losses experienced by a family never affect its values.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a family's beliefs and values act as limitations?

<p>By preventing seeing other behavior options.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A family's ability to thrive after extremely aversive experiences reveals a great deal about its ______.

<p>resilience</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the profession of Paul, one of the individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina?

<p>Architect (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the family narrative, which topic might be important?

<p>Gender or sexual identity issues. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the initial emotional state of Paul and Margaret after facing their challenge?

<p>Downcast and despondent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Margaret initially embraced the idea of being a stay-at-home mother.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the first steps Paul took to adapt to the new challenges they faced?

<p>Looking up old high school friends</p> Signup and view all the answers

Paul and Margaret _ their priorities to manage the new circumstances.

<p>reassessed</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following family processes with their descriptions based on Walsh's framework:

<p>Belief System = Provides shared values and assumptions for meaning and future action. Organizational Processes = Offers 'shock absorbers' when confronted with stress through flexible resource management. Communication/Problem-Solving = Establishes a climate of trust and open expression for clear and consistent interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the emerging viewpoint on families facing problems, as opposed to pathologizing them?

<p>Problems exist, but family competencies can be used to promote self-correction. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Resilience, in the context of families, should be considered a static set of strengths or qualities.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Hawley (2000), what does resilience enable families to do?

<p>Create adaptive responses to stress</p> Signup and view all the answers

Adopting a resiliency-based approach involves identifying and fortifying key _ processes.

<p>interactional</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors largely forecasts a family's ability to recover from disruptive challenges?

<p>How the family organizes itself, retains cohesion, communicates, and problem-solves (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A family's religious beliefs have no impact on their ability to cope with challenges.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides family, name one source of support that aids in the resilience process.

<p>Friends</p> Signup and view all the answers

Boyd-Franklin (2010) emphasizes that working with ethnic minority families during trauma requires _ interventions.

<p>culturally sensitive</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the Boyd-Franklin study, what is a KEY point when working with ethnic minority families after disasters?

<p>Cultural sensitivity and respectful treatment that understands different perspectives. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the material, African-American families adapted to Hurricane Katrina in similar ways because of a shared cultural background

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In traditional heterosexual families, which role has been historically associated with less emotional investment in family relationships?

<p>Father (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Increased awareness of gender roles has decreased the need to overcome gender inequalities and stereotypes.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one factor that has primarily contributed to the increased awareness of gender issues in recent decades.

<p>Women's increased employment, feminist movement</p> Signup and view all the answers

Changes in gender roles in recent decades have had a powerful impact on family ______ and functioning.

<p>structure</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following scenarios with the likely outcome based on traditional vs. egalitarian gender role ideologies:

<p>Father resents childcare due to viewing it as a 'woman's job' = Less benefit from new father role Mother works but believes she should be a full-time caregiver = May not benefit from new work role Couple adopts an egalitarian attitude towards work and family = Benefit more from combining work and family roles</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced by dual-work families according to the provided content?

<p>Balancing work and nonwork tasks. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Employed married women now spend more time in childcare and household tasks compared to 30 years ago.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'gender-role ideology' as referenced in the content?

<p>Views of the social roles of men and women</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, race, ethnicity, and immigration status play a decisive role in how dual income families best ______.

<p>cope</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might a father who spends long hours caring for his children while his wife works a different shift experience if he perceives childcare as a "woman’s job?"

<p>Resentment and little benefit from his new father role. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Time pressures are not a typical issue faced by two-income families.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, give one example of a cultural factor that significantly impacts how families function.

<p>Kinship networks, roles of extended family</p> Signup and view all the answers

Increased ______ over the last 20 years has added substantially to our appreciation of the primacy of cultural diversity in our society.

<p>immigration</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider cultural factors when providing family assessment and counseling?

<p>To ensure unbiased and comprehensive understanding of family dynamics. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cultural factors were always central to family therapists' understanding of family life.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration for family therapists when working with African-American families who have experienced trauma?

<p>Therapist sensitivity to perceived racism and its impact on trauma. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family systems therapy may not be suitable for collectivistic ethnic minority families due to its individualistic approach.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of disasters and family therapy, how might relocation impact kin networks in collectivistic cultures?

<p>Relocation can fragment kin networks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family systems approaches emphasize the need to assist families as they interact with various __________ and __________ after a traumatic event.

<p>agencies, organizations</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following family characteristics with their effects following a crisis:

<p>Clear Communication = Facilitates resilience by establishing clear roles and expectations. Respect for Individual Differences = Supports the separate needs of family members, enhancing overall well-being. Successful Problem-Solving Strategies = Develops reparative processes that promote endurance and survival.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the resiliency construct encourage family therapists to do?

<p>Attend to the family’s resources that can be mobilized to deal with a present crisis or adversity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Focusing on a family's deficits rather than their strengths is the most effective approach in family therapy after a crisis.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Aponte, what do members of poor families need to feel to facilitate resilience?

<p>Self-worth, dignity, and purpose</p> Signup and view all the answers

Resilient families are able to balance intergenerational __________ and change while maintaining ties among the past, present, and future.

<p>continuity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each concept with its description in the context of gender and family dynamics:

<p>Gender Roles = Socially based behaviors expected of males and females. Gender Ideology = Beliefs and values associated with being male or female. Socialization = The process by which individuals learn and internalize societal norms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do differing socialization experiences typically affect men and women?

<p>They cause each sex to develop distinct behavioral expectations and opportunities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Biology is the sole determinant of gender differences in value systems and personality characteristics.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact can successful crisis management have on a family's resilience?

<p>Deepens the family bond and strengthens confidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family therapists need to recognize that anger in the face of perceived __________ may be a __________ response and facilitate coping.

<p>racism, healthy</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Goldenberg and Goldenberg, what is a characteristic of resilient families?

<p>Having a clear set of expectations about roles and relationships. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus when adopting a relationship outlook, according to the text?

<p>The process and dynamics of interactions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

First-order cybernetics assumes that the observer is an integral part of the system being observed.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Gregory Bateson, what is the relationship between stability and change?

<p>inseparable</p> Signup and view all the answers

Feedback loops are activated to correct ______ in a system, restoring stability.

<p>errors or deviations</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the concept with its description:

<p>First-order cybernetics = Focuses on self-regulation and stability in systems, assuming the observer is separate. Feedback loops = Mechanisms that correct errors or deviations in a system to restore stability. Relationship outlook = Shifts focus from content to the process and dynamics of interactions. Gregory Bateson's view = Highlights the inseparable relationship between stability and change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cultural group is most likely to define family as a wide network of kin, long-time friends, and community members?

<p>African Americans (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, cultural competence in family therapy requires adopting a standardized 'cookbook' approach to cultural differences.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two factors, besides income, that influence perceived social status, according to Kliman and Madsen.

<p>ethnicity, religion</p> Signup and view all the answers

The bias against people from social classes different from one's own is known as ______.

<p>classism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the cultural group with their typical definition of family:

<p>Anglo-Americans = Intact nuclear family Italians = Network of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents Chinese = All ancestors and descendants</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does McGoldrick and Ashton suggest clinicians should examine to increase their competence in a multicultural society?

<p>Their own cultural heritage and biases (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, social class has a uniform impact on all families, regardless of their ethnicity or cultural background.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is one potential negative impact of classism on mental health?

<p>sense of well-being</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, those most vulnerable to poverty include nonwhite ______.

<p>minorities</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is one factor that can affect how Latino men and women experience depression and poor family functioning?

<p>The pressure to acculturate (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The content suggests that a Black family with a low income cannot have middle-class values or aspirations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one group, besides children, identified as particularly vulnerable to poverty.

<p>elderly</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what should therapists explore to better work with people of different social classes?

<p>Their own reactions to different social classes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

For the Chinese, family includes not only living relatives but also all their ______ and ______

<p>ancestors, descendants</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept related to social class receives increased scholarly attention, as noted in the content?

<p>The experience of classism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors should a therapist consider to understand clients and themselves better?

<p>The interaction of race, culture, sexual orientation, and class-based inequalities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

It is appropriate to consider the forces of race, culture, sexual orientation, and class-based inequalities as separate influences when working with people therapeutically.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a family structure where adults openly consent to intimate relationships with more than one person?

<p>Polyamory</p> Signup and view all the answers

Culturally __________ therapists continually reexamine their thoughts and feelings about others.

<p>competent</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the client scenario with the potential bias a therapist might need to address:

<p>Heterosexual therapists working with same-sex partners = Unintentional bias based on a dichotomous view of sex and gender Therapists who identify with monogamy working with polyamorous families = Challenges to the therapist's personal beliefs about relationship structures Therapists working with clients from a different socioeconomic background = Biases related to wealth or poverty that can impact therapeutic effectiveness</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern raised by Knudson-Martin and Laughlin (2005) regarding heterosexual therapists working with same-sex partners?

<p>Unintentional bias based on a dichotomous sense of self and other. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The gender of the therapist always has a significant influence on clinical outcomes in family therapy, especially with adolescents.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should therapists learn to recognize regarding people from backgrounds different from their own?

<p>Biases</p> Signup and view all the answers

When serious problems arise that the prevailing paradigm cannot explain, scientific efforts typically aim to __________ the existing system with a more appropriate rationale.

<p>replace</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a dominant set of attitudes, philosophies, viewpoints, procedures, or methodologies in scientific thinking?

<p>Paradigm (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A 'postgender' approach in family therapy emphasizes equity rather than gender in relationship models.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides gender, what are some other criteria clients might use to select a therapist?

<p>Age, race, religion, and sexual orientation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the exercise in Box 1.5 ('Thinking Like a Clinician')?

<p>To help therapists explore their own possible biases (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The impact of forces such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on client and therapist identity development are discussed in greater detail in __________.

<p>Chapter 3</p> Signup and view all the answers

Biases felt toward people from backgrounds different from one's own always lead to ineffective therapy.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is often revealed by examining power dynamics, communication styles, gender roles, and past resentments within a family?

<p>How family members relate to one another beyond specific problems (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the case study, Bob and Tess initially presented a united front to the family therapist, agreeing on the root causes of their marital issues.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Bob, what would Tess need to do if she wanted special activities for the children?

<p>give up other things to live within her budget</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before having children, Tess kept her earnings separate from Bob's, using her own money to buy what she needed, resulting in _____ conflict.

<p>little</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following behaviors with the underlying issues they represent in Bob and Tess's relationship:

<p>Bob's 'pinchpenny' behavior = Control and power dynamics Tess's overspending habits = Emotional needs and unmet expectations Sleeping in separate rooms = Lack of intimacy and unresolved conflict Complaining to children about the other parent = Seeking alliances and undermining the partner</p> Signup and view all the answers

What approach did the therapist take to help Bob and Tess resolve their marital issues?

<p>Helping them gain greater awareness of the process taking place between them (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The case study suggests that unresolved power issues can manifest as problems related to intimacy and sexual relations in a marriage.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Tess gain a better understanding of as she and Bob worked towards resolving their issues?

<p>their financial situation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Recasting the individual as a unit of a larger system, such as the family, enables us to search for recurring _____ of interaction.

<p>patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change in Bob's behavior as he started understanding Tess's perspective?

<p>He became more willing to help with the children and attend their events (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The therapist encouraged Bob and Tess to focus solely on their individual needs and desires to improve their marriage.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What specific behavior of Bob's at home did Tess particularly resent?

<p>eating alone, in front of the television set</p> Signup and view all the answers

Bob's upbringing in a working-class family instilled in him a sense of the importance of living _______ and watching expenditures.

<p>frugally</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the therapist, what was the unresolved issue that Bob and Tess had never faced?

<p>Struggles for power and control (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action best illustrates Tess's change in behavior after therapy?

<p>Offering to be more careful about living within a budget they worked on together (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

From a family systems perspective, psychopathology is seen as primarily the product of:

<p>A struggle between persons within a system. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An ecosystemic approach only considers the nuclear family when assessing and treating a client.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In family therapy, what becomes the primary target of intervention when dysfunctional behavior is viewed as a reflection of a flawed relationship?

<p>The relationship itself</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family therapy aims to alter the family system by helping families replace limiting and self-defeating ______ patterns.

<p>interactive</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following therapeutic roles with their description:

<p>Traditional Therapist = Psychological sleuth seeking to uncover what goes on within the mind of the individual Family Therapist = Collaborator with couples or entire families as they alter their transactional patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the central concept of cybernetics that is vital to family therapy?

<p>Understanding patterns and processes within systems. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Norbert Wiener coined the term 'cybernetics' to describe the science of communication and control in both humans and machines.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Wiener, what does cybernetics represent?

<p>The science of communication and control in humans as well as in machines</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cybernetics conceptualizes how systems retain their stability through self-regulation as a result of reinserting the results of past performance into current ______.

<p>functioning</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Macy conferences, which contributed to the birth of cybernetics, primarily focused on:

<p>The study of communication in reference to regulation and control. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The 'double-bind' theory developed by Gregory Bateson was ultimately proven to be a complete and accurate explanation for the origin of schizophrenia.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Instead of looking solely at the symptomatic person, what did Bateson's work encourage researchers to examine?

<p>Family transactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

Bateson's approach emphasized the importance of the ______ context in giving symptoms meaning.

<p>family</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key concept from cybernetics helps explain how families maintain stability or adapt to change?

<p>Feedback mechanisms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their correct association to the concepts:

<p>Cybernetics = Communication and control Ecosystemic approach = Multiple systems affecting the family Family therapy = Transactional patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of psychotherapy in the early 20th century, particularly with Freudian psychoanalysis?

<p>The intrapsychic world of the individual, even when considering family influences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family therapy's paradigm shift involves seeing the family as more than just the sum of its individual members.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define 'epistemology' as it is commonly used in the context of family therapy.

<p>A conceptual framework or belief system that determines how one gains knowledge and draws conclusions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Rather than focusing on recalled from the past, the broader view of human problems in family therapy emphasizes the family context in which individual behavior currently occurs.

<p>Individual intrapsychic dynamics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the therapeutic focus with its corresponding approach.

<p>Individual's unconscious fantasies = Classical Psychoanalysis Current family transaction patterns = Family Therapy Individual personality traits = Traditional Psychology</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a systems-oriented clinician focus on when observing conflict within a family?

<p>The repetitive patterns and processes of interaction during the conflict. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the relational view, behavior can be pinpointed to an exact beginning.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between an intrapsychic and an interpersonal perspective in understanding behavior?

<p>An intrapsychic perspective focuses on internal mental processes, while an interpersonal perspective examines interactions and relationships between individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family therapy is considered a scientific revolution because it involves a transition to a new ________.

<p>Paradigm</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of bringing systems theory into the study of families?

<p>It provides a framework for understanding the family as an interconnected and interactive unit. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family therapists primarily focus on the content of family transactions rather than the process.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe how changing a family's structure or belief systems can affect individual members.

<p>Altering a family's dynamics can lead to changes in each member's behavior due to their interconnectedness within the system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Family therapy represents a major ________ revolution in the behavioral sciences.

<p>Epistemological</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the new focus of family therapy that differentiates it from previous approaches?

<p>A primary focus on the family as a subject. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each therapeutic approach with its typical area of focus:

<p>Psychoanalysis = Individual's intrapsychic world and unconscious fantasies Family Therapy = Family as a functional system of interactions Systems-oriented therapy = Process of interactions rather than the content of the transactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Family System

A natural, sustained social system with evolved rules and assigned roles.

Multigenerational Attachments

Deep, lasting emotional ties and loyalties among family members.

Family Belief Systems

The set of beliefs, standards, and values a family holds.

Family Adaptability

A family's ability to adjust to changes and challenges.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Assigned/Ascribed Roles

Expected ways of acting based on position within the family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Organized Power Structure

The way power is distributed and decisions are made in a family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Overt/Covert Communication

Open and hidden ways family members communicate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Socialization

The process where families shape new members into society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Idealized Nuclear Family

The outdated ideal of a family with a breadwinner father, stay-at-home mother, and children, often white and suburban.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Historical Family Disruptions

Families have always faced disruptions from death, abandonment and other circumstances, challenging the idealized view.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Early Marriage Purpose

Marriage initially emerged from division of labor, ensuring survival and efficiency, with men and women having complementary roles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Modern Family Diversity

Working mothers, single-parent homes, stepfamilies, and same-sex couples have expanded the understanding of what a family is.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fluid Kinship

Divorce and remarriage rates suggest kinship is becoming more adaptable and elastic.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Structure Purpose

Families develop structural characteristics and patterns to respond to internal and external stresses.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Functional Family Goal

Families arrange themselves to meet shared needs and goals, without preventing members from meeting individual needs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Rules

Rules outline roles and functions to facilitate family cohesion.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Patterns

Families develop repeatable patterns for negotiating and arranging their lives.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Resistance to Change

Families resist change and try to reestablish familiar patterns, even during conflict.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Goals

Promoting positive relationships, attending to personal needs, and coping with changes/crises are important

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Adaptation

Families reorganize to develop special styles that adjust to life's challenges.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Interactive Patterns

Stable, collaborative, purposeful, and recurring sequences of interaction.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unspoken Family Rules

Often unstated, unnoticed, and not always understood by family members.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal exchange patterns transmit family rules and functions, governing acceptable behaviors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Influence

The family's influence remains even when members are separated or alienated.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Irreplaceable Family

Unlike other systems, family members are often irreplaceable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family & Individual Growth

Individual growth occurs alongside family growth; they influence each other.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Story

Families transmit their history through storytelling, ensuring continuity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Enabled Family System

A well-functioning family encourages individual potential while providing security.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Disabled Family System

Families that struggle to balance unit needs with individual needs are considered disabled.

Signup and view all the flashcards

External Family Stressors

External stresses include poverty, migration, and health problems.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Support Networks

Support networks help families reduce isolation and improve their lives.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Inclusive Family Definition

An inclusive definition of family includes chosen kinship relationships.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Commitment

Commitment is the action of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action or person.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family needs

Families provide love, companionship and fulfil intangible needs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family History

Families transmit their history through storytelling, ensuring continuity and shaping member expectations regarding the future.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Identity

Families maintain an evolving identity or collective image of its own.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Patterned Family Interactions

Predictable, jointly enacted interaction patterns in families, where members play rehearsed parts.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Rituals

Rituals are symbolic actions that aid family adaptation to change while reinforcing unity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Narratives

Family narratives shape understanding of reality based on shared beliefs and stories.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Shared Family Constructs

Core beliefs and shared understandings held by family members about themselves and their environment.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Transactions

The ongoing negotiation, compromise, and competition that family members undertake.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Minutiae Cement

How families solidify relationships through everyday interactions like passing the sugar or choosing a movie.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Assumptions

The family's fundamental and enduring beliefs about the world.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Class Influence

The impact of social class on what family members believe is possible or attainable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unchallenged Views

Views not critically examined or challenged, which influence how a family perceives reality.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Narrative Observation

Therapists observing family stories to understand patterns.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Mementos

Mementos and tales linking a family to its past generations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Heritage Identity

A family's strong connection to their ancestry and traditions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Socioeconomic Stability

Maintenance of the family's socio-economic position across generations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Value of Education

The importance a family places on formal instruction.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Problem Expression

The method by which a family communicates its distress or limitations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family's Reality

A collectively agreed-upon set of constructions, created through language, that the family calls reality.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Blinders

Limitations families place upon themselves through beliefs and values that prevent noticing other aspects of their lives or behavioral options.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Resiliency

The ability to thrive and maintain stable functioning under adverse conditions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Strains

Challenges and upheavals families face during their life cycle.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Racism & Trauma

Perceived racism can worsen trauma for African-American families.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anger as a Response

Anger can be a healthy response to perceived racism & helps coping.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Expectable Strains

Events such as retirement, divorce, or remarriage that place strain on a family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Untimely Strains

Events such as job loss or death that place strain on a family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Relocation Impact

Disasters necessitating relocation can disrupt support in collectivistic cultures.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family System Rally

The family system rallying to buffer stress and reduce dysfunction.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Special Needs After Trauma

Address unique needs of children, adolescents, and the elderly.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Spirituality in Coping

Spirituality provides comfort for ethnic minority families.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Recuperative Skills

Skills arising from adaptive processes successfully mastered.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Potential for Growth

The ability of families to grow and repair in response to distress, threat, trauma, or crisis.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Systems Therapy

It uses strengths-based approach and promotes resilience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Relationship Framework

A framework for understanding family dynamics and behaviors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family therapy & agencies

Family systems therapy helps families interact with agencies after trauma.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Beliefs

Beliefs and values that shape a family's perspective.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sudden Crisis

A catastrophic event that disrupts lives and communities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Intergenerational Balance

Balancing tradition with change enables resilience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Recovery

The process of returning to a stable state after a disruption.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Clear Communication

Clear communication and expectations promote resilience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Respect Individual Differences

Respecting individual needs helps families thrive.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mediate Recovery

Supporting optimal adjustment and adaptation after stress.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Postmodern Outlook

A perspective where there is no single 'true' reality.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Successful crisis management

Deepens family bonds and strengthens confidence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family-Social Connection

Families & the social universe influence each other.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gender Role Learning

Society reinforces gender roles, impacting family dynamics.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gender Disparities

Males & females grow with different entitlements, power and life experiences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Shared Family Belief System

The belief that a family can overcome challenges together.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Organizational Processes

How a family organizes resources and adapts to stress.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Communication Processes

Clear and open communication that builds trust and allows for mutual expression.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reframing Crisis

Viewing disruptions as manageable challenges and opportunities for growth.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Strengths-Based Approach

Shifting focus from problems to strengths within a family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fortifying Interactional Processes

Key interactional processes that help families overcome challenges.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Culturally Sensitive Interventions

Adapting interventions to fit the cultural background of the family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Disasters and Cultural Sensitivity

The importance of cultural sensitivity when working with ethnic minority families during crises.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Positive Self-View

A positive sense of self and motivation to succeed.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Self-Regulating Skills

Skills that help children control their behavior and thoughts.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Organizational Shock Absorbers

The family’s ability to organize resources effectively during stress.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Support Network

A network of supportive individuals and groups available to a family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Crisis as a Challenge

Seeing challenges as manageable rather than insurmountable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Resilience as a Process

The family's capacity to create adaptive responses to stress and thrive.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Relationship Outlook

A perspective shifting focus from content to the interaction process itself.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Feedback Loops

Self-regulating systems that correct deviations to maintain stability around a set goal.

Signup and view all the flashcards

First-Order Cybernetics

Focuses on how systems self-regulate to maintain stability

Signup and view all the flashcards

Structure (in Systems)

Patterns of organization within a system.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Bateson's View of Change

All changes are efforts to maintain constancy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Impact of Gender on Families

The influence of societal norms and expectations on an individual's identity, roles, and opportunities, impacting family dynamics.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Redefining At-Home Responsibilities

The shift in couples sharing responsibilities at home due to more women entering the workforce.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gender-Role Ideologies

Views on the appropriate roles of men and women in society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dual-Work Families

Families where both parents are employed and rely on both incomes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Work-Life Balance Challenge

Difficulty balancing work and family responsibilities, common in dual-income households.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Resentment in Shared Childcare

Potential resentment when one partner feels childcare is a gendered task despite sharing responsibilities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Conflicting Role Benefits

Experiencing less benefit from new work or family roles due to conflicting personal beliefs about gender roles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Egalitarian Attitude Benefits

Benefiting more from combining work and family roles due to more equal views.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sociocultural Constraints

Forces like race, culture, gender, and class create inequalities that constrain client lives.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gender Influence on Therapists

Therapists must understand how their own gender influences their development and potential biases.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Time Pressures in Dual-Income Families

Stress from balancing work and family obligations, like who takes off work for a sick child.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unintentional Bias

Unintentional bias from heterosexual therapists when working with same-sex partners.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sick Child Crisis

Possible family crisis when working-class dual earners cannot take time off for a sick child.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cultural Factors in Family Life

Values, rituals, communication, and definitions of family vary across cultures and need consideration for assessment and counseling.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Postgender Approach

A relationship model focused on fairness and equality, not on gender roles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Polyamory

A type of relationship where adults openly have intimate relationships with multiple consenting partners.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Impact of Immigration

Increased immigration has highlighted the importance of cultural diversity in society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Therapist Gender Impact

The therapist's gender usually doesn't affect results, except sometimes with adolescents.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cultural Considerations

The roles of extended family members, kinship networks, expectations regarding male and female behavioral patterns.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Impact of Acculturation

Vary among different groups and impact family functioning.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Bias Obstacles

Unexpected biases can block effective therapy, even for therapists with good intentions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Socioeconomic Power

Vary for different groups and have an impact on how (and how well) families function.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Paradigm

A structure of scientific thought that dictates how problems are understood and solved.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Paradigm Shift

When a prevailing model struggles to explain key issues, a shift to a more suitable model occurs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Assessing Personal Biases

A method to explore personal thoughts and feelings when presented with different clients in order to assess possible biases.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Expanded View

Broadening one's views to better understand individuals from different backgrounds.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Culturally Competent Therapists

The continued revision of one's thoughts and feelings about others.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Client Therapist Selection

Clients choose therapists based on factors such as age, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Intersectionality

The convergence of various forces such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status on identity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Self-Reflection

Continually reexamining personal thoughts and feelings about others for cultural competence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Chinese Family

A family views include all ancestors and descendants as part of their family unit.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Class Definitions

Beyond income, it also includes ethnicity, religion, and education which influences perceived social standing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Classism

The bias one may have against individuals from social classes different from their own

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cultural Self-Awareness

Clinicians should examine their own cultural identity, heritage, biases, and prejudices to improve their ability to work with diverse clientele.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Work's Role in the Family

Demoralizing, nonexistent, dead end, fulfilling, or a means to achieve upward mobility

Signup and view all the flashcards

Class perception

A professor is seeing as being in a higher class than a contactor who has equal income unless the professor is a Latina single mother and the contractor is an Anglo-American man from "an old family".

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cultural Competence

Being aware of one's own cultural biases and prejudices in order to increase flexibility and competence when working with clients in our multicultural society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Latino experiences

Latinos may experience depression and poor family functioning differently based on gender.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Class Complexity

A Black family classified as poor may still hold middle-class values, aspirations, and expectations for their children.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Race and Class

Go beyond simplistic equations of White as middle class and Blacks as poor to create variety within each group.

Signup and view all the flashcards

American (Anglo) Family

American (Anglo) definition of family typically focuses on the intact nuclear family

Signup and view all the flashcards

Italian Family

Italians tend to include that entire network of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

Signup and view all the flashcards

African American Family

Think of a wide network of kin, long-time friends and other community members.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cultural Competence

A appreciation for the often hidden cultural aspects of our psychological, spiritual, and physical selves, a profound respect for the limitations of our own cultural perspective and the ability to deal respectfully with those whose values differ from our own

Signup and view all the flashcards

Vulnerable to Poverty

Nonwhite minorities, single mothers, children under 18, and the elderly.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Intrapsychic Focus

Early psychotherapy's main focus was on an individual's inner psychological experiences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Limitations of Individual Focus

The idea that focusing solely on the individual's unconscious might not fully address their issues.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Paradigm Shift in Therapy

The shift from focusing on individual psychology to considering the family as a key influence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Therapy Paradigm

A fundamental change in how problems are understood, incorporating family dynamics.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family as a System

Family therapy sees the family as a working unit, more than just the sum of its members.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Epistemology

The study of how we gain knowledge and form beliefs about the world.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Epistemology in Therapy

Belief systems and frameworks that therapists use to understand and create change.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Interpersonal Perspective

Focusing on current family interactions instead of past individual experiences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Recursive Patterns

Viewing behavior as part of a continuous sequence of interactions without a clear start or end.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mutual Influence

Family members influence and interact with each other, sharing a linked experience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Network of Relationships

Each family member exists within a web of relationships.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Systems-Oriented Change

Changing family dynamics to promote change in individual behavior.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Process vs. Content

Focusing on current interactions and patterns rather than underlying causes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Observing Interaction Patterns

Observing repetitive interaction patterns within the family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Focus on Decision-Making

Directing attention to how a family makes decisions rather than the specific topic at hand.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Systemic View of Psychopathology

Dysfunctional behavior is seen as a struggle between people, not just internal issues.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ecosystemic Approach

Considering the impact of external factors like workplace, school, and culture of the Family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Relationship-focused Therapy

Therapy shifts focus to relationships and patterns between individuals.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Goals of Family Therapy

Therapy that changes the family system improves communication and problem-solving.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cybernetics in Family Therapy

Cybernetics is vital as its concerned with patterns and processes in family relationships.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation is keeping stability through feedback from past actions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Altering Feedback

Changing patterns by altering feedback information.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cybernetics Definition

Communication and control in humans and in machines by feedback cycles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Redefining Psychopathology

Symptoms of dysfunctional behavior can be redefined as a product of struggle between people.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Context

Attention to the family context gives some symptoms a specific meaning.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Therapy

Family replaces self-defeating interactive patterns, enhances communication through options and beliefs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Flawed Relationship

Views dysfunctional behavior as a flawed relationship, becoming the center of therapeutic attention.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Stability Through Self-Regulation

Self-regulation results from reinserting past performances into current functioning.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cybernetics - New Paradigm

A new paradigm for conceptualizing how systems retain their stability through self-regulation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Family Relationship Dynamics

The distribution of power, feelings of being heard, gender roles, and past resentments within a family.

Signup and view all the flashcards

"Pinchpenny" Behavior

Checking groceries, yelling about toys, and refusing after-school activities due to cost.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Spendthrift Tendencies

Spending a generous monthly allowance and then running up credit card debt.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Traditional Gender Roles (Finances)

The belief that the man is in control of the budget because he is the wage earner.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Post-Children Marital Changes

Conflicts arose after children arrived, including sexual rejection and disagreements about spending.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Seeking Alliances with Children

Complaining to children about the other parent to gain support.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unresolved Power Struggles

Issues of power and control that have never been resolved

Signup and view all the flashcards

"Family" Income Approach

Regarding money as "family" income to work on collaboratively.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Destructive Interaction Patterns

Undermining each other and seeking alliances with the children.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sex Life as Power Barometer

The stalemate in sex life reflecting unresolved power issues.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Empathy in Conflict Resolution

Recognizing the other's viewpoint and feeling less victimized.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Recalling Previous Success

Thinking back to successful times and recalling those events.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Shared Financial Control

Understanding that money belongs to both and deciding together how to spend it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Resisting Gender Stereotypes

Over the long-term partners should strive to give up struggles to become more equal and less role-driven.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

  • A family is a sustained social system with evolved rules, assigned roles, organized power structure, communication forms, and problem-solving methods.
  • Family member relationships are deep, based on shared history, perceptions, assumptions, and purpose.
  • Reciprocal emotional attachments and loyalties tie members together, fluctuating in intensity but lasting a lifetime.
  • Each family system is embedded in a community and molded by historical, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other factors.
  • These factors influence the system's development, beliefs, flexibility, adaptability, and stability.

Fundamental Concepts

  • Families socialize new members, with lifelong membership despite separation or alienation.
  • Even after divorce, co-parenting may continue, and the ex-spouse relationship is recognised.
  • Sibling relationships are often the longest commitments.
  • Families face constraints; members are irreplaceable, unlike in non-family systems.
  • Family members rely not only on money, food, clothing and shelter but also on intangible needs.
  • Family members need to adapt to changing needs of fellow family members as well as the expectations of the larger kinship network.
  • Successfully functioning families encourage self-discovery, exploration, protection, and security.
  • "Enabled" families balance system needs with individual interests, while "disabled" families fail, leading to unstable patterns.

Community Support

  • Families under stress from poverty, migration, or health issues need community assistance.
  • Low-income families benefit from social support to increase self-sufficiency.
  • Isolation and defeat are common among families lacking resources and social networks.
  • Social support enables better self-care and quality of life.

A Pluralistic View

  • Families now include diverse forms beyond traditional birth, adoption, or marriage.
  • Inclusive definitions embrace committed kinship relationships regardless of legal status.
  • The traditional American nuclear family is not representative of contemporary life.
  • Early deaths and abandonment disrupted families in the past, despite idealized views.
  • Marriage evolved from the division of labor, ensuring survival and efficiency.
  • Today's families include working mothers, single parents, cohabiting couples, stepfamilies, and same-sex couples.
  • Kinship has become more fluid due to divorce and remarriage rates.

Family Structure

  • Families develop basic structural characteristics and patterns to respond to stresses.
  • These are based on shared narratives that help families adapt and cope with life changes.
  • Families arrange themselves to meet shared needs without preventing individual goals.
  • They develop rules for roles and functions.
  • Repeatable patterns are preferred and create a cohesive family process.
  • Families resist change, engaging in maneuvers to restore familiar patterns, even in crises.
  • Promoting relationships, attending to needs, and coping with changes are key to family success.

Family Interactive Patterns

  • Families display stable, collaborative patterns of interaction.
  • Nonverbal cues transmit family rules governing acceptable behaviors.
  • These patterns are transactional, predictable, and rehearsed.

Family Rituals

  • Rituals (celebrations, weddings, funerals) ensure identity and continuity.
  • Rituals help families to adapt to change while reaffirming unity.
  • They provide a sense of history and future expectations, linking members to community and culture.

Family Narratives and Assumptions

  • Families establish fundamental assumptions about the world.
  • Social, cultural, and historical experiences shape meanings and understandings.
  • Narratives explain family structure and patterns.

Family Membership

  • Core family membership is based on shared beliefs about the family and its environment.
  • Social class expectations influence what members consider possible.
  • Language and dialogue shape understanding and interpretation.
  • Families perceive the world as trustworthy or menacing, influencing their behavior.
  • Family narratives impact functioning, derived from history and social class.
  • Social constructions are views created and perpetuated in conversation.
  • Postmodern views emphasize collaborative narrative construction.

Family Resiliency

  • Family resilience is the ability to thrive and maintain stability under adverse conditions.
  • Families face expectable strains and sudden crises.
  • Reactions vary; some families recover quickly, while others experience prolonged distress.
  • Many families cope, rebound, and adapt.
  • Resilience is common, arising from ordinary adaptive processes.
  • Key factors supporting resilience, in children, include connection, cognitive skills, self-view, and motivation.
  • Positive psychology focuses on strengths.

Key Family Processes

  • Consistent beliefs provide values for meaning and action.
  • Organizational processes provide resources.
  • Processes are flexible, and facilitate change and connection.
  • Communication processes are clear and consistent, fostering trust and open expression.
  • Culturally sensitive interventions are needed for ethnic minority families during trauma.

Harnessing Competencies

  • Some families are strengthened after facing crises.
  • Family competencies can be harnessed to promote self-corrective changes.
  • Resilience is a developmental process enabling adaptive responses to stress.
  • A resilience-based approach identifies and fortifies key interactional processes.
  • Successful crisis management deepens family bonds leading to confidence.
  • Family organization, cohesion, communication, and problem-solving forecast recovery.
  • Support from networks and community resources contributes.
  • Even chaotic families have resources; self-worth, dignity, and control facilitate resilience.
  • Resilient families balance continuity and change.

Factors for Greater Family Resiliency

  • Clarity and ease of communication and, as well as clear expectations about roles are necessary.
  • Resilient families respect individual differences and separate needs.
  • Successful problem-solving strategies and processes promote survival.
  • The construct challenges therapists to address resources rather than deficits.
  • Managing crises together strengthens confidence in managing future adversities.

Gender Roles and Gender Ideology

  • Gender role indoctrination begins early, with differences reinforced by society.
  • While biology plays a role, differences in values, roles, and attitudes result from learning.
  • Each sex develops distinct expectations and opportunities.
  • Men traditionally have more power in heterosexual families.
  • Awareness of gender inequalities has grown, leading to co-constructed interactive patterns.
  • Gender-role changes impact family structure.
  • Couples redefine responsibilities as women's employment increases.

Cultural Diversity and the Family

  • Cultural factors play a central role in understanding family.
  • Increased immigration highlights the importance of cultural diversity.
  • Values, rituals, communication, and definitions of family vary across cultures.
  • Kinship networks, extended family roles, acculturation, and socioeconomic power have an impact on how families function.
  • American definitions of family focus on the nuclear family, while Italians and African Americans consider the wider network.
  • The Chinese include ancestors and descendants in their family definition.
  • Family therapy clients from different ethnic groups vary.
  • Clinicians need to examine their own identity and biases to work competently.

Social Class and the Family

  • Social class also adds to diversity.
  • It shapes resources, expectations, opportunities, and privileges and options.
  • Also, influences how fulfilling work can be.
  • More than income is involved.
  • Interplay of ethnicity, religion, and education also influences perceived social status.
  • Women's and children's class standing plummets after divorce.
  • Classism impacts family functioning.
  • Economic issues contribute to experienced difficulties.

Groups Vulnerable to Poverty

  • Nonwhite minorities, single mothers, children, and the elderly are most vulnerable.
  • Client lives are constrained by inequalities.
  • Impact of religion, sexual orientation, gender, and immigration status also play a role.
  • These forces interact and contribute to context for understanding clients.

Impact on Therapist and Therapy

  • Therapists must broaden their understanding of diverse backgrounds.
  • Culturally competent therapists reexamine their thoughts and feelings.
  • Therapists need to consider how gender has influenced their development.
  • Therapists must consider potential bias when dealing with clients.
  • Multiple factors influence client and therapist development.

Shifting Perspectives of Therapy

  • Models shape disciplines and set agendas.
  • Paradigms dominate scientific thinking.
  • If problems arise that a certain paradigm cannot explain, efforts are made to replace it.

Paradigm Shift

  • Psychotherapy focused on the individual.
  • Therapists began to believe that focusing on fantasies was inadequate.
  • Actual family relationships became relevant.
  • A paradigm shift results in a scientific revolution.
  • Family therapy began in the 1950s.

The Origins of Family Therapy

  • Family therapy provides a new perspective to deal with problems and resolution.
  • A paradigm shift calls for new data and methods to collect family information.
  • Attention is placed on the family as a functional entity.

Systems Theory

  • Systems theory represents an epistemological revolution.
  • Epistemology refers to how you gain knowledge.
  • Epistemology also refers to framework and belief system.
  • A broader view now focuses on the context of the family, rather than the past.
  • Behavior is a sequence of current and ongoing events.

Broader Family Context

  • Focus on the family context currently, opposed to as recalled from the past.
  • All behavior is part of a recursive or recurring sequence of events.
  • Shift attention away from simply searching the past.
  • Focus more on transaction patterns of family.
  • People and events in a mutual context, sharing one another's struggles.
  • Helping families change their structure is more important.

Shifting The Focus

  • Focus shifts to the family more and its environment and the impact on the family.
  • Helping to change beliefs with new options is also productive.
  • Skills will improve, leading to rewarding relations.
  • It is better to note the process of the couple over the content of their interactions.

Cybernetics

  • Cybernetics is vital to the history of family therapy.
  • The systems outlook proposes cybernetics.
  • Cybernetics was born during the 1940s in NYC, and was sponspored by the Josiah Macy Foundation.
  • Norbert Wiener coined the term Cybernetics.
  • Wiener was interested in information processing and how feedback mechanisms operate in controlling both system.
  • Wiener chose the term cybernetics meaning "steersman", or simply regulating or piloting a ship.
  • Cybernetics represented communicating and controlling Humans, as well as machines.

Feedback Cycles

  • These conferences provided a breakthough by proving a new paradigm for self regulating.
  • Changing past performance through feedback mechanisms was a step in scientific discovery.
  • Reserachers in both fields began exploring how systems could be applied to living/non living entities that become activated to fix errors.
  • What is now known as first-order-cybernetics: grew out of communicating engineering, a means of understanding self regulating systems of any kind.
  • Structure was being focused on: Patterns of the organization, and control through feedback cycles.
  • Universal laws to explain governance's of all systems were tried being formed.
  • Was assumed the observer was always seperated from the observable system studied.

Gregory Bateson

  • Bateson understood that cybenetics, by using correct feedback, could be used to maintain stability.
  • Meaning all constance is maintained through change.
  • Did work for the the office of strategic services in India during World War II.
  • Bateson drew attention to the family context that gave the symptoms meaning
  • Bateson found that this theory incomplete, even inaccurate.
  • Its effort to look beyond the symptomatic person to family transactions was groundbreaking in directing researchers to examine what occurs in the exchange of information.

Reciprocal Determinism

  • With reciprocal determinism attention shifts from content to process.
  • You do not dwell on historical facts for explanations.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser