Systems Theory

Systems Theory Family Life Cycle

1. between families or leaving home - late teens, early 20s 2. joining families through marriage - young couple 3. families with young children 4. families with adolescents 5. launching 6. family in later life

Systems Theory Concepts and Terminology (4 of 7) Feedback and Feedback Loops

4. Feedback - is a process used to regulate the exchange of energy between a system and its environment. That is, a system regularly evaluates whether the energy it is exporting (its outputs) is consistent with its goals (outcomes) it has established for itself. This is known as internal feedback. The system also measures the responses its receiving from the environment (its inputs). a. Feedback Loops - a family has a certain way of maintaining homeostasis (a general way a family functions). Feedback loops allow families to give feedback on actions and make corrections. i. Negative Feedback Loops - maintain current system. Allow a family to respond superficially to an issue e.g. parents argue and are tired of fighting (negative feedback loop), and decide that they are not going to yell at each other anymore. This is a superficial, first order change that doesn't get to the core of the underlying issue. ii. Positive Feedback loops - lead to second order change. This means that there is a shift in the overall functioning of the family e.g. the family determines that the cause of the fight is dad working too much, and make shifts/changes that allow dad to be home more. This is a more permanent solution, and leads to a deeper change in the system. Another example, there is a child who grows into a teenager and wants to go out more and the parents don't let him. Thee is a change in the homeostasis, and not letting child go out (negative feedback loop) keeps the system the same. A positive feedback loop would be that the parents allow the teen to go out under certain conditions.

Systems Theory Concepts and Terminology (6 of 7) Double-Bind

A situation in which 1. there is an inescapable relationship (e.g. mother/child), 2. one person is repeatedly exposed to two related but conflicting injunctions, 3. the person is required to respond.

Systems Theory Concepts and Terminology (1 of 7) System

A system is a unit of wholeness maintained by the mutual interactions of its components.

Systems Theory

Change happens through addressing relationship dynamics of the entire family or system. Rather than focusing on the individual, focus on the entire system and the roles that govern that system. To help client establish and maintain a steady state, or homeostasis. Rather than understanding the whole by breaking it into parts, systems theory looks at a system as a whole with its relationships and interactions with other systems as a mechanism for growth and change.

Systems Theory Concepts and Terminology (2 of 7) bOUNDARY

Every system has a structural limitation that separates it from other systems, making the system unique. This property is called a boundary. Some boundaries are clearly defined and others are permeable. A system grows by exchanging energy with its environment and this exchange is only possible when its boundary is permeable. The more permeable the boundary, the more interaction the system has with its environment.

Systems Theory Concepts and Terminology (5 of 7) First Order/Second Order Change

First order change is an approach that seeks to address and eliminate symptoms expressed by the IP. However, since systems theory explains that these symptoms are the result of family dynamics, removing the IP's symptoms simply colludes with the family to retain its problematic homeostasis. Second order change is a change in the way the system functions. communicates, and behaves, in a way that eliminates the pain and dysfunction expressed through the IP's symptoms.

Systems Theory Concepts and Terminology (3 of 7) Open and Closed Systems

Open (functional) and Closed (dysfunctional) Systems a. Closed systems are isolated from its environment. b. Open systems have a significant amount of interaction with its environment; as a result, it is more adaptable and open to change. Open systems may close as a means of protecting itself; when this occurs, there is an imbalance in the flow of energy, in which the system sends out more information than it brings in, which can lead to a state of disorganization known as entropy.

Systems Theory Concepts and Terminology (7 of 7) Pseudomutuality/Pseudohostility Marital Schism/Marital Skew Centripetal/Centrifugal

Pseudomutuality - a facade of togetherness that masks conflict and blocks intimacy Pseudohostility- noisy and intense, like bickering of sit-com families, it masks deeper, more threatening conflict and blocks intimacy Marital Schism-No role reciprocity or accommodation; marriages are in combat zones e.g. ongoing fighting or competition for children Marital Skew- one parent dominant and abusive and the other weak and dependent. (Both create mental illness in children) Centripetal- families that cling to children and emphasize togetherness at the expense of independence and autonomy Centrifugal- family members operate in different orbits, emphasizing independence and autonomy at the expense of a sense of belonging, security and togetherness.

Family Systems Theories

Satir - Humanistic-Experiential Family Therapy Haley - Strategic Family Therapy Minuchin - Structural Family Therapy Bown - Multigenerational (or extended) Family Therapy

Systems Theory

Three related approached emerged MRI Communication Model Strategic Model Milan Model

Wholeness and Nonsummativity

Wholeness - systems consists of interdependent elements and change in one part of the system affects all of the system. Nonsummativity- a system cannot be known or understood by analyzing it in isolated segments