Abstract The paper explains that the Bowenfamilysystemstheory (BFST) regards the family unit as a single entity; if there are malfunctions with the family, BFST identifies that there are problems inherent within some aspect of the family. The paper identifies four components of BFST and addresses a case study in which these components are applied and used to asses the status of an affected individual from a troubled family background.
Outline:
Introduction
Four Components of BFST
Analysis of the Case Study
From the Paper "Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) regards the family unit as a single entity; much like the components of the body form the whole of the person, in BFST the individual family members form the whole of the family (Searight, 1997; Titelman, 1998). If there are problems or malfunctions with the family, BFST identifies that there are problems inherent within some aspect of the family (Searight, 1997; McGoldrick, Serson, & Shellenberger, 1999). This could be indicative of problems held by one family member that is beyond the scope of immediate family life (e.g.: conflict for a parent in the work environment) or could suggest issues that are localized within the immediate family setting itself."
Tags: differentiation, family, projection, emotional, cutoff, sibling, position
Abstract This paper examines Bowen's Family-SystemsTheory, also known as BowenTheory and Bowen Natural SystemsTheory, the name given to an approach to behavioral psychology for its principal theoretician, Murray Bowen. It analyzes how Bowen's theory shows that the proper way of identifying systems is in terms not of hierarchy structures but rather of networks and interpenetration, with multiple influences and cues informing individual experiences and responses. It discusses its approach to the analysis and clinical treatment of familysystems, how it may be distinguished from other familytheories and how it can be successfully used in a community setting by a community.
From the Paper "Bowen's approach to family systems can be distinguished from the Freudian conception of family in terms of the tension between archetypes (ego, id, superego) and the symbolic character of Oedipal dynamics in personal psychology as a proxy for the relationship of the individual's ego and id, which are always in tension, to the superego of civilization, with which both are in tension. Indeed, tension and balance of the three archetypal tendencies in human experience are always in the background of Freud's discourse."
Abstract Discusses Murray Bowen's groundbreaking familysystemstheory & concepts. Bowen's discoveries as a psychiatrist that led to the deelopment of his theory. Treating the client as a system (a family) rather than as an individual in isolation. Emotional process that drives individual behavior & concept of differentiation of the self. Therapy & interpersonal conflicts. Therapeutic application of the theory.
From the Paper "Murray Bowen (1913-1990) was the originator of family systems theory in which the "differentiation of self" in the face of the emotional unit of the family was the core concept (Hutten, 2001). This Bowenian conception originated in Bowen's psychoanalytic training, but psychoanalytic notions were modified by his incorporation of systems-theory and evolutionary ideas subsequent to his observation of family members' effects on each other's emotional states. Bowen's discoveries and his theory were groundbreaking efforts, opening the way to a novel approach to therapy. Prior to his innovations the individual had always been the focus of attention from analysts and psychologists, but Bowen's theoretical proposals and the effectiveness of therapy based on them, led the way to a new chapter in psychotherapy. His original ideas have been reinterpreted and modified by..."
Abstract This paper analyzes the Banks family in the TV show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air". The paper discusses how their functioning relates to the Bowenfamilysystemstheory.
From the Paper "Family systems therapy and theory is based on the assumption that a family constitutes a specific system in which interactions are shaped by and informed by the beliefs, values and roles that are adopted or assumed by individual members. The theory also argues that the family is a patient system in which the individual with the presenting problem is not the sole recipient of care. It assumes the family system is dynamic and capable of change. In "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", Will Smith is..."
Abstract This paper discusses the definition of family and the family unit. The paper first looks at how the family role strongly influences one's place within society and how the personal belief structure of a family unit will define one's ability to interact with other family units. The paper then examines the Bowentheory, the application of the Bowentheory to persons with a detailed family history, and the goal of the Bowensystemstheory.
From the Paper "This would also hold true for individuals who are affected by a lack of family structure - such as orphans. The triangular theory of Bowen's system states that the individual is conditioned to exist in society by its family unit. However a person who has never had a family unit can develop a strong sense of self and social differentiation. Reciprocally, one who has not done so would not find much help within the Bowen therapy, as there would be no family structure to evaluate, or discuss with the patient."
Abstract This paper illustrates the psychological theory known as systemstheory by discussing the case of a 14-year old boy who murdered his sister. The author gives an explanation of this murder in terms of systemstheory, which is based on family social hierarchy and role. Also presented is a list of assumptions based on systemstheory that is useful for understanding the behavior of the 14-year old. The paper concludes showing the boy's lack of appropriate role models and self-understanding, which may have lead him to commit such a violent act.
From the Paper "Systems Theory is very helpful for understanding the behavior of this 14-year old boy. In the family, the vertical or hierarchical subsystem is that of the parents; siblings represent the horizontal subsystem for the children. Also, according to Systems Theory, "The family is a bounded system in interaction with its environment. Within the family boundary are its members and their roles, norms, values, traditions, and goals, plus other elements that distinguish one family from another and the social environment (Longres, 1990, p. 274). Within a normal family boundary, a child learns appropriate rules or input about who does what with whom. And, an open system with flexible boundaries is supposed to facilitate the throughput that will allow the child to process the output in a useful way. When all goes as expected the output should be some degree of appropriate conduct. And, an open system is in constant interaction with the child's environment, providing feedback to allow the child to make adjustments in behavior as required."
Application of the BowenTheory (FamilySystemsTheory) in an office environment to facilitate improved interaction between staff and between staff and clientele.
Abstract This paper examines how Bowen's familysystemstheory can be used in an office environment to facilitate better interaction between account officers and between account officers and clients. An overview and background is followed by a description of the existing office environment. A discussion of the staff-staff and staff-clientele constraints is followed by a description of how the familysystemstheory can help resolve these issues. A summary of the research and recommendations are provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "First discussed by Murray Bowen (1976, 1978), family systems theory provides a developmental paradigm that focuses on how an individual's sense of self emerges in the context of emotional attachments in his or her multigenerational family system. In this regard, differentiating from one's family of origin, the cornerstone of Bowen's theory, is a key developmental task associated with young adulthood (Carter & McGoldrick, 1989). Many family therapists believe that one must get at historical or causal factors in order to relieve a symptom or achieve change. Family therapy versions of the psychoanalytic concepts of insight, catharsis, and abreaction seem to be the major avenues of change, and a mature objectivity is, as with most Freudian therapies, the desired end result."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of the BowenFamilySystem Therapy model. The writer explores the Bowentheory and how it began, as well as the uses it still has today. It explains that the theory is based in the belief that the relationships between family members have a significant impact on the total family unit.
From the Paper "The field of psychology has been an ever changing field since its inception. Therapists and theorists are constantly scrambling to locate the most effective therapy models possible for the purpose of assisting their clients. One of the most important aspects to any mental health issue is the family dynamic. Whether the children are in crisis, the parents, or someone outside of the immediate family that impacts the family, the fact remains that family cohesiveness is paramount to living well emotionally. The Bowen Family System Therapy model of family counseling has been used for many years as a preferred method for the treatment of the entire family."
Abstract This paper discusses the Bowenfamily model as it relates to family units, particularly those of couples. The paper explains the theories in the model and points out how they take into account account the familial situation, both current and past, and its vast power over the life of an individual. The paper concludes that the Bowen model is of great utility in the field of therapy, in that it recognized the vast importance of family upon the function of the individual members thereof, and devised methods to establish the most effective therapy possible.
Outline:
Differentiation of Self
Triangles
Nuclear Family Emotional Processes
Family Projection Process
Multigenerational Transmission Process
Sibling Position
Emotional cutoff
Societal Emotional Process
Conclusion
From the Paper "Differentiation of self emanates from the needs required by an individual, and in the realm of health development, to separate one's own intellectual and emotional functioning from that of the family unit or iteration thereof. The family is a unit because it operates as a system. (Bowen, Kerr 10) This unit may be defined as a husband and wife traditionally, although alternate "families" are fully possible, with the prime feature irregardless of the particular situation being the melding of the individual "I's" involved in the relationship into the singular "we". This situation of maintaining distinct separateness in the face of a cohesive unit is one of conflict, with an individual's reaction sometimes being so acute as to turn into violence due to the individual's incapacity to deal with a perceived lack of a sense of oneself within a relationship."
Abstract During his training, Minuchin began practicing family therapy. Family is the immediate family with whom the individual lives, the extended family of relatives and friends and the community at large. Minuchin's writing included observances of the boundaries within families and between families and outsiders. Familysystems therapy provides the family with the ability to distinguish between what is actual and what is a construct of the family dynamic.
Abstract This paper presents a brief examination of Carl Whitaker's Symbolic-Experiential FamilySystems Therapy, looking at its history, strengths, weaknesses, quirks, and applicability. The paper also examines how the therapy fits into Christian thought.
From the Paper "The ultimate basis for Carl Whitaker's Symbolic-Experiential theory of counseling can be traced back to Alfred Adler and the use of an holistic theory of personality and model of psychopathology in combination with a humanistic philosophy. Adlerian psychotherapy speaks of challenging clients through a type of Socratic dialogue where they are encouraged to correct mistaken assumptions, attitudes, behaviors and feelings about themselves and the world. The objective of therapy is to replace exaggerated self-protection, self-enhancement and..."
Abstract Distinguishing between types of therapies is beneficial for those seeking to make change within social settings with specific or unique needs. Family centered therapies are one of the many different therapy strategies that can be applied to facilitate change. However while individual therapy tends to be defined as a relationship between two individuals with the purpose of achieving therapeutic change, the familysystems therapy approach takes a more integrated process towards the close social units in which the individual seeking therapy resides. This paper identifies differences between the traditional individual therapy style of therapy and the familysystems therapy approach.
Abstract This paper examines the multicultural counseling approaches used in the application of the familysystemstheory. FamilySystemstheory is defined, and three counseling approaches that utilize the theory in a multicultural context are reviewed. They include family therapy, family literacy and cross cultural marriage workshops.
From the Paper "Family systems theory asserts that people can change behaviors if they are aware of the impact current and historical family behavior has on the definition of his or her choices. In the context of the family systems theory the word "Family" may be composed of the immediate family that the person presides with, the extended family of relatives and friends, and the community in general. (Bowens Family Systems Theory 2002, 1)
The family systems theory was pioneered by Dr. Murray Bowen, and has many characteristics. First and foremost the theory is a way of understanding present situations in terms of past relationships. The theory seeks to understand the entire family as an emotional unit composed of linked relationships that have existed over different generations. Family system theory claims that an individuals? behavior is directly correlated to how that individuals? family functions. (Bowens Family Systems Theory, 3)"
Tags: therapy, literacy, cross-cultural, marriage, workshop, relatives, community
Abstract This paper examines Bronfenbrenner's primary contribution to the field of psychology, his ecological systemstheory, in which he delineates four types of nested systems in order to analyze the relationship between a person and the environment. The paper examines how he calls these the microsystem (such as the family or classroom); the mesosytem (which is two microsystems in interaction); the exosystem (external environments which indirectly influence development, e.g., parental workplace); and the macrosystem (the larger socio-cultural context). The paper also discusses how Bronfenbrenner later added a fifth system, called the chronosystem (the evolution of the external systems over time) and how each system contains roles, norms and rules that can powerfully shape development. The paper also looks at how the writer applies each of the systems to his own life.
From the Paper "The forth system in Bronfenbrenner's theory is the macrosystem. At the macrosystem level, socioeconomic status (SES) has been measured several ways, including mother's educational level, father's educational level, parental occupation, and various combinations of these. Also the macrosystem deals with the larger cultural context such as Eastern vs. Western culture, national economy and political culture. The best example that I could think of that deals with the macrosystem is that of two different children from different families. One family that has a high socioeconomic status and one family with a low socioeconomic status. The child from the high SES is more likely to achieve higher grades, have higher self-esteem, be more popular and take part in extra curricular activities. "
Abstract This paper assesses two articles regarding the familysystem test (FAST) methodology; one written by Rigazio-DiGilio soon after the test was pioneered and another article written by Kahn and Meier, almost a decade after the test was first introduced. The author points out that the Rigazio-DiGilio's article is more favorable regarding the utility of the test; whereas, Kahn and Meier raise more questions about how the FAST test is being taken and interpreted by respondents. In both articles, the titles adequately indicate the nature of the test as well as the article content and the authors agree that the purpose of the test is largely guided by the theoretical principles of familysystems therapy. The paper concludes that the criticism of the FAST test is superficial and advocates Rigazio-DiGilio's support of the test measurement methodology because, if the respondent does not understand what terms such as power, cohesion or hierarchy means in the context of the test, this is a problem in communication between the examiner and the examinees not a fault of the FAST test itself.
From the Paper "The provisions taken for informing the subject of the test as to its purpose are therefore also drawn into question, since it is also questioned whether the subject adequately understands this purpose and is using vocabulary in the same manner as the examiner. Although scoring objectivity is not questioned in either article, Kahn and
Meier do address the objectivity of FAST's use of language. Reliability and validity coefficients are not reported in the Rigazio-DiGilio text or the Kahn and Meier text. Norms are presented for family groups chosen by the authors of the articles to act as case examples in some cases, but the primary slant is towards former peer-reviewed literature on the subject. The main question of Kahn and Meier, in terms of their critique of the test (which is primarily absent in DiGilio), is whether or not the norms suggested by the text are adequate to cover any individual taking the FAST test."
