Family Therapy Glossary - Quiz #6

Front 1

second-order change

Back 1

a concept from systems theory that describes the process of change in a system which alters the fundamental organization of the system

Front 2

side taking

Back 2

a clinical intervention in which the family therapist deliberately "sides" with one member or a certian position over another in the family

Front 3

solution-focused family therapy

Back 3

a clinical model that identifies solutions to current and specific problems described by clients imposing as little change as possible

Front 4

splitting

Back 4

a concept from object relations theory which defines a defensive maneuver whereby an individual "splits" the "good" from the "bad" in an external object and internalizes this split perception.

Front 5

strategic family therapy

Back 5

a clinical model in which the family therapist designs interventions focused on specific problems.

Front 6

structural determinism

Back 6

a concept from systems therapy which defines the potential range of change that a system can tolerate without a loss of identity.

Front 7

stuctural family therapy

Back 7

a clinical model, developed by Salvador Minuchin, based on identifying the internal organization of subsystems and boundaries of a family system

Front 8

structure

Back 8

a concept from systems theory that defines the components, and the relationship among these components, which define the organization of a system

Front 9

subsystems

Back 9

a concept from family systems theory which describes the basic structural units within the nuclear family system

Front 10

symbolic-experiential family therapy

Back 10

a clinical model, developed by Carl Whitaker, which stresses the immediacy of human interactions within the family system while focusing on the family's underlying symbolic representations of their impulses, irrationalities, and "craziness."

Front 11

symmetrical

Back 11

a concept that describes a relationship in which the family members have relatively equal status and power

Front 12

system

Back 12

a concpet that defines the basic set of units or elements interconnected in a consistent relationship or interactional stance.

Front 13

systems consultation

Back 13

an approach in which systemic principles used in working with families can be applied to other contexts and larger systems, such as corporate organizations or small businesses

Front 14

tracking

Back 14

an accommodation technique whereby the family therapist follows the direction and content of a family's communication and behavior, and encourages its continuance

Front 15

transference

Back 15

a concept in psychotherapy which defined the personal and/or "distored" feelings which may develop in a client toward their therapist

Front 16

triangling

Back 16

a family dynamic describing the process whereby a third family member is introduced into a dyadic relationship to balance either uncomfortable intimacy or a certain level of conflict or distance experienced by the dyad

Front 17

triangulation

Back 17

a family dynamic, often represented by a rigid triadic relationship between two parents and a child, in which each parent demands that the child side with him or her in a conflict

Front 18

unbalancing

Back 18

a clinical intervention from structural family therapy where the family therapist interferes with a dysfunctional transactional in the system by adding more force or emphasis to a cerain behavior or role

Front 19

undifferentiated ego mass

Back 19

a concept, developed by Murray Bowen, to describe a lack of differentiation of self observed in family members

Front 20

tickling the defenses

Back 20

a historic term, coined by Nathan Ackerman, to describe the process by which the family therapist moves in and out of the system, making observations that are provocative and pushing the family to its limits