Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how "The Family Crucible" is an insightful account of family relationships and of how our perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs affect our role as family members, spouses, children, and human beings. The paper relates that the book is also a fascinating look at how normal families undergo change, stress, and differences of opinion. The paper discusses the book's theme of structure and poignant moments, as well the what the writer believes are the book's weaknesses. The paper concludes that the techniques described in the book were insightful, pragmatic, and involved the entire family structure in the process and that it was extremely useful in developing the writer's own style of counseling the family.

From the Paper:

"This initial conflict between Carolyn and Claudia was the focus of the first few chapters of the book. In light of the family's choice to appoint Claudia as the identified patient, the first order of business was to shift the Brices' focus from Claudia to their family system. A less skilled or experienced therapist may have very well depended on Claudia's previous diagnosis of schizophrenia. Doctors Napier and Whitaker quickly saw through this incorrect diagnosis, and began delving into the actual underlying causes of the family turmoil. In doing so, they investigated both David and Carolyn's families of origin. One's family of origin is their first group experience. This imperfect group environment is the petri dish that grows our skills in relating to things outside the family, and becoming an individual in our own right. Often, these imperfections follow us into relationships far beyond our family of origin. This was in large part the case with the Brice family. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Napier, A. Y., & Whitaker, C. (1978). The family crucible: The intense experience of family therapy (1st ed.). New York: Harper & Row.

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