Family & Systems Therapies

1. A tendency for families to resist change in order to maintain a steady state is know as:

Metacommunication

Negative feedback

Homeostasis

Complementarity

Homeostasis refers to the tendency of families to resist change in order to maintain a steady state. This concept is derived from biology, where it refers to the ability of an organism to maintain internal stability despite external changes. Similarly, in the context of families, homeostasis suggests that families prefer to maintain their existing patterns, roles, and dynamics rather than embracing change. This resistance to change helps families to maintain stability and balance, even though it may hinder growth and adaptation in some cases.

Explanation

Homeostasis refers to the tendency of families to resist change in order to maintain a steady state. This concept is derived from biology, where it refers to the ability of an organism to maintain internal stability despite external changes. Similarly, in the context of families, homeostasis suggests that families prefer to maintain their existing patterns, roles, and dynamics rather than embracing change. This resistance to change helps families to maintain stability and balance, even though it may hinder growth and adaptation in some cases.

2. A structural famuly therapist is most likely to view the presenting problem of a family in terms of:

Faulty communication

Overly rigid or overly permeable boundaries

A failure of complementarity

Insufficient quid pro quo

A structural family therapist is likely to view the presenting problem of a family in terms of overly rigid or overly permeable boundaries. This means that the therapist would focus on how the family's boundaries are either too rigid, leading to a lack of communication and flexibility, or too permeable, resulting in blurred roles and boundaries within the family system. This perspective suggests that the therapist would explore how the family's structural dynamics and boundaries contribute to the presenting problem and work towards finding a balance that promotes healthier communication and functioning within the family.

Explanation

A structural family therapist is likely to view the presenting problem of a family in terms of overly rigid or overly permeable boundaries. This means that the therapist would focus on how the family's boundaries are either too rigid, leading to a lack of communication and flexibility, or too permeable, resulting in blurred roles and boundaries within the family system. This perspective suggests that the therapist would explore how the family's structural dynamics and boundaries contribute to the presenting problem and work towards finding a balance that promotes healthier communication and functioning within the family.

3. By constructing a family genogram, you learn that the client's family is intensely cloe, much more so than might be expected for the family's cultural background. This family would be called

Enmeshed

Triangulated

Estranged

Joined

The correct answer is Enmeshed. By constructing a family genogram and discovering that the client's family is intensely close, it indicates that the family members are heavily involved in each other's lives and have blurred boundaries. This level of closeness is more than what is typically seen in families of the same cultural background, suggesting that they are enmeshed.

Explanation

The correct answer is Enmeshed. By constructing a family genogram and discovering that the client's family is intensely close, it indicates that the family members are heavily involved in each other's lives and have blurred boundaries. This level of closeness is more than what is typically seen in families of the same cultural background, suggesting that they are enmeshed.

4. The primary goal of Bowenian family therapy is to:

Increase the family's ability to solve everyday problems

Enhance each family member's ability to experience and express feelings

To improve the communication between each family member

Increase the level of differentiation of self in family members

Bowenian family therapy aims to increase the level of differentiation of self in family members. Differentiation of self refers to the ability to separate one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from those of others, while still maintaining emotional connection. By increasing differentiation, family members can develop a stronger sense of self, reduce emotional fusion, and improve their ability to make independent decisions. This can lead to healthier relationships, improved problem-solving skills, and enhanced emotional well-being for each family member.

Explanation

Bowenian family therapy aims to increase the level of differentiation of self in family members. Differentiation of self refers to the ability to separate one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from those of others, while still maintaining emotional connection. By increasing differentiation, family members can develop a stronger sense of self, reduce emotional fusion, and improve their ability to make independent decisions. This can lead to healthier relationships, improved problem-solving skills, and enhanced emotional well-being for each family member.

5. Which of the following statements about research on systems theory would be FALSE:

Bowenian therapy has received adequate research

Outcomes for couples and family therapy are similar to those of individual therapies

Most of the communication and strategic therapists have not been involved in systematic assessments of their Txs

System therapy has been tested on a variety of specific disorders and problems

The statement "Bowenian therapy has received adequate research" is false because Bowenian therapy has not received adequate research.

Explanation

The statement "Bowenian therapy has received adequate research" is false because Bowenian therapy has not received adequate research.