Family systems theory views the family as an emotional unit where family members are interconnected and interdependent. Key aspects of family systems theory include non-summativity, circular causality, and homeostasis. The theory is used to understand how families adapt to stressors and aims to maintain equilibrium. While family systems theory provides a lens for examining family dynamics, it has limitations such as not resulting in testable hypotheses and focusing too much on patterns over change.

1. FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY By Jason S. Wrench

2. What is a System? Ludwig Von Bertalanffy (1968) “ Set[s] of elements standing in interrelation among themselves and with the environment”

3. Systems Theory Development Miller 1978 Called for a living systems theory Broderick & Smith (1979) Published the first article applying systems theory to family scholarship

4. Common Components of Family Systems Theory

5. Non-Summativity The whole is Greater than the sum of its parts.

6. Genograms Male Female 55 57 m. 79 82 90 87

7. Genograms Male Female 55 57 s. 92 82 90 87

8. Genograms Male Female 55 57 d. 97 82 90 87

9. Genograms Male Female 55-99 57 d. 97 82 90 87

10. Circular Causality Family members are interrelated Not linear (A affects B) A & B affect each other

11. GALVIN AND BROMMEL (1996) Parents ignore Daughter Daughter Shoplifts Parents Pay More Attention Daughter Behaves More Acceptably

12. Equifinality Families may react similarly to the same experience or achieve outcomes by very different processes.

13. System types Sub system Supra system Boundaries Open Closed

14. Family Homeostasis Bradshaw (1988) Family Homeostasis (1957) Families try to cooperate within the family in order to keep the family at homeostasis.

15. Morphogenisis Ability to adapt and be flexible to stressors Morphostasis Tendency for a system to stay at equilibrium

16. Applying Family Systems Theory to Family Stressors

17. Family Crisis Roberts (1991) 3 Types of Crises Hazardous event 2. Threat to Life Goals 3. Inability to respond with adequate coping mechanisms

18. STRESSOR SYSTEM NEED TO CHANGE

19. Pittman’s (1987) Four Types of Stressors Bolt from the Blue Developmental Structural Caretaker

20. 3 Approaches to Family System Theory Research

21. Interactional View How families interact through message transactions Structural View Focuses on dyadic social organization and role structure within the family system. How do families regulate boundaries.

22. Constructivist View How does the family construct its particular social reality Narratives and stores that families construct from their own experience Most pupular method currently in use

23. LIMITATIONS

24. 1. Family Systems Theory has not resulted in a body of specific theoretical assertions or hypothesis which can be tested. (Broderick & Smith, 1979; Fitzpatrick and Noller, 1993). 2. Family Systems Theory may best be viewed as a metaphor for thinking about the family (Fitzpatrick and Noller, 1993).

25. Turner & West (1998) Limitations Too much focus on homeostasis at expense of change Too much focus on patterns at the expense of unpredictability Too much focus on the system at at the expense of the individuals A positivistic intellectual tradition that puts the researcher outside the system in search of the truth.

26. CASE STUDY

28. This Presentation was Created by Jason Wrench OAD SPEAKERS, Inc. Copyright 1999