The importance of Hypothesization in Family Therapy

1. Hypothesizing in Family Therapy
Shari Tess Mathew
NIMHANS, Bangalore
11.11.2014

2. Introduction
 Concept of hypothesizing officially introduced as a tool of therapy- In an
article by Selvini Pallazoli et. al. (1980)
 One of the most important contributions of MILAN School of Family
Therapy

3. Definition
 Hypothesis, in the Greek etymon means "that which is under ”
 According to the Oxford Dictionary, hypothesis is "a supposition
made as a basis for reasoning, without reference to its truth; as a
starting point for an investigation."
 Experimental science- An unproved supposition tentatively accepted
to provide a basis for further investigation, from which a verification
or refutation can be obtained.
 It’s a statement introducing differences, namely setting facts in order,
in response to a specific problem.

4. HYPOTHESIZING
 Family therapy session always begins with the therapist possessing a certain
amount of information concerning the family
 Formulation based upon the information the therapist possesses regarding
the family he is interviewing
 FT session is organised around the hypothesis
 Establishes a starting point for investigation
 Verification of the validity
 If proven false, the therapist must form a second hypothesis based upon the
information gathered during the testing of the first.
 The goal of therapeutic hypotheses is change, not truth.

5. Value of the Hypothesis in General
 The hypothesis, as such, is neither true nor false- only more and less
useful
 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.
 The essential function of the hypothesis consists of furnish a new
information, by which it will be confirmed, refuted, or modified.

6. Clinical Example
 Family: A Divorced mother (37) and son (13)
 Reason for consultation: Son difficult to control, rebellious, rude and
prone to delinquent behaviour
 Pre-Session Hypothesis: Behaviour of boy, a way to get father back to
the family
 During session: Hypothesis disproved
 Second Hypothesis: Charming mother, perhaps had met another man,
Boys behaviour as anger towards him – Was proved

7. Hypothesis should Pertain to:
 What the person is trying to tell through the symptoms?
 How the family is maintaining those symptoms ?
 Why the family has turned up for Family Therapy now?

8. Value of the Hypothesis in the Family Interview
 Hypothesis is formulated and tested in the FT session
 Inner conversation of the therapist
 Guaranteeing the activity of the therapist
 Not to find a scientific explanation for the problems in the family; rather,
to facilitate understanding (Sandler & Hulgus, 1989).
 The Hypothesis Must be Systemic. Must include all components of the
family, and must furnish with a supposition concerning the total
relational function.

9. Hypothesis in the Family Interview
 Hypotheses, suppositions tentatively accepted, help the therapist to
focus on what seems most relevant at that moment.
 To devote attention from chaotic stream
 To make some sort of selection.
 To organize all the confusing data attached to a symptom so as to
make sense in the relationship context (Hoffman, 1981).
 Continuous process of moving back and forth .

10. Hypothesis in the Family Interview
 Simple connections between elements of observations, ideas, theories and so
on.
 The image that is painted in a hypothesis remains sketchy.
 A hypothesis has some coherence and some direction, but it is not a “nice
coherent, well-organized narrative, with everything in its place” (Shotter,
1993).
 The therapist should adopt an “attitude of permanent vigilance” (Maturana &
Varela, 1987, and constantly monitor his or her inner conversation.

11. Selection of Hypothesis
 Not based on “ Is my hypothesis true?”
 “Do my hypotheses connect sufficiently with the view of the family
members so as to be useful to open space for the not-yet said?”
 “Are my hypotheses constructive and respectful towards the
family members?”

12. Characteristics of the
Hypothesis
 Since it is a statement, it is communication.
 Since it introduces differences and sets facts in order, it is a map.
 Since it is formulated in response , it is a proposed a solution for it.

13. Classes of Hypotheses ( Boscolo et al., 1987)
A. Who is with whom in the family- tries to understand coalitions,
alliances
B. Explores the family’s premises and myths
C. Focuses on communication –within and between

14. Conclusion
 A hypothesis sometimes gives the therapist an illusion of mastery,
predictability and control. The therapist needs this illusion to survive in the
chaos of the family . A hypothesis is not a “nice coherent, well-organized
narrative, with everything in its place”. A smooth hypothesis would be
dangerous, because it would make the therapist blind for other possibilities or
other perspectives. So what might appear as a weakness of a hypothesis, is
in fact a benefit: it helps the therapist to keep an open mind toward the unique
and unpredictable features of the context, and to the multiplicity of voices
in the inner conversation.

15. References
 Selvini, M. P., Boscolo, L., Cecchin, G., & Prata, G. (1980). Hypothesizing
Circularity Neutrality: Three Guidelines for the Conductor of the Session. Fam
Proc, 19, 3-12.
 Rober, P. (2005). Constructive hypothesizing, dialogic understanding and the
therapist’s inner conversation:. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28,
467-478.
 Bertrando, P., & Toffanetti, D. ( 2003 ). Persons and Hypotheses:The Use of the
Therapist in the Hypothesising Process. The Australian and New Zealand
Journal of Family Therapy, 24(March), 7-13.

16. Thank You