Cultural/Systemic Cultural/Systemic

Approaches Approaches
Family Systems Theory Family Systems Theory
Family Systems Theory Family Systems Theory
Family systems theory is a body of knowledge Family systems theory is a body of knowledge
that has arisen out of the observations of clinical that has arisen out of the observations of clinical
& counseling psychologists as they work with & counseling psychologists as they work with
individuals and their families. individuals and their families.
The theory suggests that individuals cannot be The theory suggests that individuals cannot be
understood in isolation from one another understood in isolation from one another
families are families are 889028 889028 of interconnected and of interconnected and
interdependent individuals, none of whom can interdependent individuals, none of whom can
be understood in isolation from the system be understood in isolation from the system
hat does it mean to say a family hat does it mean to say a family
is a is a 88902 88902? ?
To understand this better, To understand this better,
consider the example of a consider the example of a
mobile. mobile.
hen you move any one piece hen you move any one piece
of a mobile, all the other pieces of a mobile, all the other pieces
move too! They do not exist in move too! They do not exist in
isolation from one another, and isolation from one another, and
"movement in any one part of "movement in any one part of
the "system will affect all the the "system will affect all the
rest of the parts of the system. rest of the parts of the system.
Terms from Family Systems Terms from Family Systems
Theory that you'll want to Theory that you'll want to
understand understand
Family Roles Family Roles
Family Rules Family Rules
Homeostasis/Equilibrium Homeostasis/Equilibrium
Terms from Family Systems Terms from Family Systems
Theory that you'll want to Theory that you'll want to
understand understand
Family Roles Family Roles-- --what is expected of each family what is expected of each family
member member
The most basic types of roles are "father, "mother, The most basic types of roles are "father, "mother,
"aunt, "daughter, "son, "grandmother, etc. hat is "aunt, "daughter, "son, "grandmother, etc. hat is
expected from people in each of these roles? expected from people in each of these roles?
But there are also roles beyond this most basic level. But there are also roles beyond this most basic level.
For example, one person may be the "clown of the For example, one person may be the "clown of the
family. Another person may be the "responsible one. family. Another person may be the "responsible one.
One person may be the "emotional one. Another role One person may be the "emotional one. Another role
might be "crazy uncle Joe who everyone knows is might be "crazy uncle Joe who everyone knows is
going to act odd in his own unique way. There are a going to act odd in his own unique way. There are a
lot of different roles in families. lot of different roles in families.
Terms (cont.) Terms (cont.)
FAMLY RULES FAMLY RULES
Family Rules are rules about how the family operates; these Family Rules are rules about how the family operates; these
rules are often unspoken. For example. rules are often unspoken. For example.
hen people are angry at each other, do they express hen people are angry at each other, do they express
this or keep it to themselves? this or keep it to themselves?
How affectionate or emotional are family members How affectionate or emotional are family members
expected or allowed to be with each other? expected or allowed to be with each other?
How do decisions get made in the family? ho has input How do decisions get made in the family? ho has input
and who is expected to "just go along? How is the final and who is expected to "just go along? How is the final
decision made? decision made?
Are there limits on "how much or in what ways kids can Are there limits on "how much or in what ways kids can
argue with their parents? argue with their parents?
How much are family members "allowed to talk to people How much are family members "allowed to talk to people
outside the family about family problems? outside the family about family problems?
Families tend to develop patterns about these sorts of things (& Families tend to develop patterns about these sorts of things (&
other similar types of things). These patterns become other similar types of things). These patterns become
"unspoken rules. Family members may see these things as "unspoken rules. Family members may see these things as
"just the way it is, but different families do these things "just the way it is, but different families do these things
differently from one another. differently from one another.
Reflecting on Family Roles & Reflecting on Family Roles &
Family Rules Family Rules
Take a minute to think about how Take a minute to think about how
you would answer the questions on you would answer the questions on
the preceding slide with regard to the preceding slide with regard to
your family! your family!
Systems develop typical ways of being which are reliable Systems develop typical ways of being which are reliable
and predictable. Family roles & family rules are examples and predictable. Family roles & family rules are examples
of what mean by "typical ways of being. of what mean by "typical ways of being.
hether these roles & rules are adaptive or not, there is a hether these roles & rules are adaptive or not, there is a
pull from the system NOT to CHANGE pull from the system NOT to CHANGE but to continue but to continue
functioning as things have always been. functioning as things have always been.
Think of the mobile. f you move one part, the other parts Think of the mobile. f you move one part, the other parts
move. But if you let go of that one part, the whole move. But if you let go of that one part, the whole
"system (i.e., the parts of the mobile) will "pull each other "system (i.e., the parts of the mobile) will "pull each other
back to the way they were before that one part moved. back to the way they were before that one part moved.
This tendency of systems to keep doing things as they've This tendency of systems to keep doing things as they've
already been done is known as homeostasis or the already been done is known as homeostasis or the
system's equilibrium. system's equilibrium.
Terms (cont.) Terms (cont.)
HOMEOSTASS HOMEOSTASS-- --EQULBRUM EQULBRUM
Some examples of family patterns: Some examples of family patterns:
Distancer Distancer- -Pursuer Dyad Pursuer Dyad
Often the roles that various family members take on Often the roles that various family members take on
are related to one another. For example, consider are related to one another. For example, consider
the distancer the distancer- -pursuer dyad (a dyad is just a group of pursuer dyad (a dyad is just a group of
two people). two people).
Sometimes in a relationship, there may be one Sometimes in a relationship, there may be one
person who seeks out closeness with the other person who seeks out closeness with the other
person (the pursuer) while his/her partner (the person (the pursuer) while his/her partner (the
distancer) wants more space or independence and distancer) wants more space or independence and
pulls back from the relationship. pulls back from the relationship.
This pattern might occur in the marital relationship This pattern might occur in the marital relationship
but might also occur in the parent but might also occur in the parent- -child relationship. child relationship.
Outside the family, you might see this pattern in Outside the family, you might see this pattern in
dating relationships or even in close friendships. dating relationships or even in close friendships.
Distancer Distancer- -Pursuer Dyad Pursuer Dyad
& Circular Causality & Circular Causality
As you might imagine, as the distancer & pursuer act As you might imagine, as the distancer & pursuer act
out their "roles within the relationship, a cycle can out their "roles within the relationship, a cycle can
develop. develop.
The pursuer pushes for closeness while the The pursuer pushes for closeness while the
distancer pulls back. distancer pulls back.
The pursuer then feels "abandoned" and thus The pursuer then feels "abandoned" and thus
feels even more even more of a need for feels even more even more of a need for
connection & so pushes even harder for connection & so pushes even harder for
connection. connection.
As a result, the distancer feels "smothered" and As a result, the distancer feels "smothered" and
pulls away even more. pulls away even more.
.and so on & so forth...a cycle! .and so on & so forth...a cycle!
Distancer Distancer- -Pursuer Dyad Pursuer Dyad
& Circular Causality & Circular Causality
One might ask: How do they get in the cycle? ho One might ask: How do they get in the cycle? ho
starts it? starts it?
Family systems theory sees this question as like the Family systems theory sees this question as like the
question: "hat came first? The chicken or the question: "hat came first? The chicken or the
egg? egg?
Just as the "chicken & the egg question is Just as the "chicken & the egg question is
impossible to answer, it may impossible to say impossible to answer, it may impossible to say
whether the "distancer or the "pursuer started it! whether the "distancer or the "pursuer started it!
But in the cycle, BOTH patterns cause the OTHER But in the cycle, BOTH patterns cause the OTHER
Family systems theorists refer to this concept as Family systems theorists refer to this concept as
circular causality. circular causality.
Distancer Distancer- -Pursuer Dyad Pursuer Dyad
& Circular Causality & Circular Causality
ircular causality ircular causality refers to the fact that in refers to the fact that in
family systems, each family member's family systems, each family member's
behavior is caused by and causes the other behavior is caused by and causes the other
family members' behaviors. They are each family members' behaviors. They are each
impacting the other, in a circular manner. impacting the other, in a circular manner.
Some examples of family patterns: Some examples of family patterns:
Overfunctioner Overfunctioner- -Underfunctioner Dyad Underfunctioner Dyad
Another example of circular causality is the Another example of circular causality is the
overfunctioner overfunctioner- -underfunctioner dyad underfunctioner dyad
n the overfunctioner n the overfunctioner- -underfunctioner dyad, one member underfunctioner dyad, one member
of the couple (the overfunctioner) is very responsible. of the couple (the overfunctioner) is very responsible.
This person wants things to be planned out. n contrast, This person wants things to be planned out. n contrast,
the other member of the couple (the underfunctioner) the other member of the couple (the underfunctioner)
may be less responsible, more fun may be less responsible, more fun- -loving, more loving, more
spontaneous, etc. spontaneous, etc.
magine a married couple as they deal with finances in magine a married couple as they deal with finances in
the family. The overfunctioner thinks that its important to the family. The overfunctioner thinks that its important to
budget and to stay within a budget. The underfunctioner budget and to stay within a budget. The underfunctioner
thinks that sometimes you just have to be willing to thinks that sometimes you just have to be willing to
splurge and enjoy! splurge and enjoy!
Some examples of family patterns: Some examples of family patterns:
Overfunctioner Overfunctioner- -Underfunctioner Dyad Underfunctioner Dyad
The overfunctioner tends to see the The overfunctioner tends to see the
underfunctioner as irresponsible and immature. underfunctioner as irresponsible and immature.
The underfunctioner tends to see the The underfunctioner tends to see the
overfunctioner as controlling & rigid. overfunctioner as controlling & rigid.
Just as we saw in the distancer Just as we saw in the distancer- -pursuer pursuer
relationship, the more the overfunctioner relationship, the more the overfunctioner
overfunctions, the more the underfunctioner (in overfunctions, the more the underfunctioner (in
reaction) will tend to underfunction, AND VCE reaction) will tend to underfunction, AND VCE
VERSA VERSA
The causality is circular! Once the cycle has The causality is circular! Once the cycle has
started, each person's behavior contributes to started, each person's behavior contributes to
the other person's behavior. the other person's behavior.
Circular causality Circular causality
The distancer The distancer- -pursuer and overfunctioner pursuer and overfunctioner- -
underfunctioner are just two examples of underfunctioner are just two examples of
the sorts of circular patterns that can the sorts of circular patterns that can
develop in families. There are many other develop in families. There are many other
possibilities. possibilities.
A good clue to a "circular pattern is when A good clue to a "circular pattern is when
people tend to respond in predictable people tend to respond in predictable
ways to each other, and their responses ways to each other, and their responses
may become more extreme or even may become more extreme or even
"stubborn over time. "stubborn over time.
A Question to Ponder A Question to Ponder
hat "circular patterns have you seen in your hat "circular patterns have you seen in your
own family or other relationships? own family or other relationships?
Homeostasis & Equilibrium Homeostasis & Equilibrium
Remember that we talked about how "systems Remember that we talked about how "systems
are resistant to change? are resistant to change?
According to systems theory, this is true EVEN According to systems theory, this is true EVEN
F the change might seem to be a desirable one! F the change might seem to be a desirable one!
For example, if the "distancer within a For example, if the "distancer within a
relationship tries to work at taking the initiative to relationship tries to work at taking the initiative to
seek out connection within the relationship, the seek out connection within the relationship, the
"pursuer may "pursuer may -- --in perhaps unintended, in perhaps unintended,
subconscious ways subconscious ways--- ---sabotage the distancer's sabotage the distancer's
attempts to change. attempts to change.
Family Systems & The Cultural Family Systems & The Cultural- -
Systemic Approach Systemic Approach
n conclusion, the Family Systems approach n conclusion, the Family Systems approach
suggests that sometimes our behavior may have suggests that sometimes our behavior may have
AS MUCH TO DO with the "systems (groups) of AS MUCH TO DO with the "systems (groups) of
which we are a part which we are a partand the patterns that get and the patterns that get
established within these systems established within these systems-- -- as it may as it may
have to do with the personality of each person have to do with the personality of each person
within the system. within the system.
This is a very different explanation to what This is a very different explanation to what
shapes human behavior than many of the other shapes human behavior than many of the other
perspectives we have looked at in class thus far. perspectives we have looked at in class thus far.
Applying what you've learned! Applying what you've learned!
Remember..to take the Jenzabar quiz Remember..to take the Jenzabar quiz
before class on ednesday Oct. 12! before class on ednesday Oct. 12!