Principles of Family Systems Theory

 Systems Thinking: focuses on the structure of the whole family instead of the characteristics of each of its parts.

1. Focuses on how the whole family is working instead of on the problem behaviors of individual members.
2. Sees the problem behaviors of individuals, not as "the problem," but as symptoms of a problem in the family as a whole.
3. Explains the emergence of problem behaviors (symptoms) in a family more in terms of the position of the individual members than in terms of their character or personality.
4. Eliminates problem behaviors (symptoms) by changing the structure of the family rather than by trying to change the problem behaviors directly.

1. Homoeostasis (Balance) The members of any family tend to act together to perpetuate the status quo.
2. Identified Patient The family member exhibiting the problem behaviors is seen not as the "sick one" but as the one in whom the family's stress or pathology has surfaced. Relief from the I.P.'s behavior may best occur, not by treating the I.P., but by coaching the member of the family who has the greatest capacity to bring change to the family.
3. Emotional Triangle When any two members of a family become uncomfortable with one another, they will "triangle in" (focus on) a third person, or issue, as a way of stabilizing their own relationship with one another.
4. Extended Family Field In family theory the entire network of the extended family is seen as important, and the influence of that network is considered to be significant in the here and now as well as in the past.

1. The position we have in our families of origin is the source of our uniqueness and the basic influence on our emotional potential as well as our difficulties.
2. The more we can understand that position and the more we can learn to occupy it with grace and "savvy" rather than fleeing from it or unwittingly allowing it to program our destiny, the more effectively we can function in every other area of our life.

5. Differentiation of self Differentiation is the capacity of a family member to define his or her own life's goals and values apart from togetherness pressures in the family. It is the capacity to be an "I" while remaining connected.

1. It includes the capacity to maintain a (relatively) nonanxious presence in the midst of one's family and other anxious groups and to take maximum responsibility for one's own destiny and emotional being.
2. It can be measured somewhat by the breadth of one's repertoire of responses when confronted with a crisis.
3. A family is more likely to be able to adapt and change to the degree that self-differentiation has been present in one's extended family in previous generations.