Who founded Bowen Family Systems Theory?
Murray Bowen
What is the main underlying cause of problems in Bowen theory?
A lack of intrapsychic and interpersonal differentiation
What imbalance leads to anxiety in Bowen theory?
Imbalance between:
- Intellect and emotion
- Self and others
What is the goal of change in Bowen Family Systems Theory?
To lower anxiety by:
- Understanding multigenerational and current family dynamics
- Increasing differentiation of self
What is the therapist’s primary role in Bowen theory?
A coach
How should a Bowen therapist present themselves in session?
- Maintain a differentiated, non-anxious stance
- Be a non-reactive observer
- Offer statements of opinion (not interpretations)
- Take an “I” position
What is a triangle in Bowen theory?
A three-person system and the smallest stable emotional unit
What is triangulation?
When two people under stress involve a third person or thing to reduce anxiety
What is differentiation of self?
The ability to separate emotion from intellect, especially during anxiety
What happens with low differentiation of self?
- Greater emotional fusion
- Increased family dysfunction
What characterizes high differentiation of self?
- Ability to think clearly under stress
- Maintain intimacy without losing individuality
- Healthy connection with family (not fused or distant)
What is the Differentiation of Self Scale?
A 0–100 scale:
0 = complete fusion (no self)
100 = fully differentiated (realized self)
What is the family projection process?
When parents project emotional issues onto a child, often passing down low differentiation
What is the multigenerational transmission process?
The passing down of behavior patterns, roles, and levels of differentiation across generations, which can perpetuate dysfunction.
What is the nuclear family emotional system?
The dysfunctional emotional “stuck-togetherness” (fusion) within a family, marked by high emotional reactivity and anxiety.
What is another term for the nuclear family emotional system?
Undifferentiated family ego mass
What are the 4 patterns in Nuclear Family Emotional System or undifferentiated family ego mass
- Marital Conflict
- Dysfunction in one spouse
- Impairment of children
- Emotional Distance
What is emotional cutoff?
Avoiding unresolved emotional attachment to one’s family of origin, creating a false sense of independence while issues remain unresolved.
Why is emotional cutoff considered a “false solution”?
Because underlying emotional issues remain unresolved and continue to affect the individual.
What is emotional fusion?
Blurred psychological boundaries between self and others, often passed down through generations.
What is a genogram?
A schematic diagram of at least three generations used to map family patterns, relationships, and emotional processes.
What is the purpose of a genogram?
To identify:
- Family patterns
- Key turning points
- Characteristics of family members
- Evolution of the family system
What is sibling position?
A person’s role in the family (e.g., oldest, middle, youngest) that influences personality and behavior patterns.
How does sibling position influence behavior?
Oldest → more likely leaders
Youngest → more likely followers
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Top 507
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Crisis Intervention14
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Assessment Tests37
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Transgenerational Models40
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Contextual Theory36
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MFT Terms I25
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MFT Terms II25
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Assessment Tests II51
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Therapy Theory Terms48
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Therapy Theories25
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General Systems Theory/Cybernetics48
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Family Maps25
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Structural Family Therapy35
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Defense Mechanisms40
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Strategic Family Therapy0
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Symbolic-Experiential Family Therapy37
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Gestalt Therapy44
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Object Relations Theory43
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Psychoanalytic Therapy36
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Satir Family Therapy/Human Validation Process Model30
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)25
