Hypothesization is the base for family therapy intervention.

1. TITLE: HYPOTHESIZATION
Presenter M.Varun
II year MPhil Trainee CP
Chairperson: Dr. Ahalya Raguram
Consultant, Clinical Psychology
Family Therapy

2. DEFINITION: HYPOTHESIS
Explanation that is provisionally accepted in order to
interpret certain events or phenomenon, and to provide
guidance for further investigation.

3. DEFINITION: FAMILY HYPOTHESIS
A statement introducing differences, namely setting facts
in order, in response to a specific problem.

4. DEFINITION: FAMILY HYPOTHESIZATION
The formulation by the therapist of an hypothesis based upon
the information he possesses regarding the family he is
interviewing.
The hypothesis establishes a starting point for his investigation
as well as his verification of the validity of this hypothesis based
upon specific methods and skills.
If the hypothesis is proven false, the therapist must form a
second hypothesis based upon the information gathered during
the testing of the first. (Selvini, 1980)

5. CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPOTHESIZATION
1. It is a communication
2. It is a map
3. It is a solution

6. 1. It is a communication
• Mechanistic-causal model
• New Paradigm
Stresses the importance of circularity, emphasising the
interaction of all the behaviours and messages in the system.
In experiments- Interaction among “experimenter and
subject” is inevitable.
In therapy interaction among “therapist and client” is
inevitable and as same applies to “hypothesis and reality”.

7. 2. It is a map
“Providing data an order, a structure, so as to get the
most information out of it”.
Facilitates the organisation of the material elicited during
the interview.
System naturally tends towards entropy unless it is
supplied with the form of matter, energy or information.
Second law of Thermodynamics

8. 3. It is a solution
Even an hypothesis that proves to be false contributes
information in that it eliminates a certain number of
variables that until that moment had appeared possible.
A hypothesis in any case gives information, making it
possible to construct new hypotheses and hence to
proceed toward the therapeutic aims.

9. LINEAR AND CIRCULAR HYPOTHESIS
Linear: cause and effect relation among two variables.
Circular:
Considering the context in which the problem is
happening, the people involved, the thoughts and feeling
of other members.
It is relational in nature and must be organise data
in the circular structure.

10. CASE EXAMPLE
35 year old attractive lady belongs to the low SES residing
in the urban area of Bengaluru having the son (13 years
old) having the complaints of delinquent behaviours,
rebellious, rude and difficult to control.

11. tHaNk yOU….