Family As a Psychosocial System

Hello everyone!

It is time for another post. Get ready because this week we are going to dive into family relations, boundaries, and family as a psychosocial system!

Have you ever wondered what characterizes a family? Family individuals or relations? Or both?

The biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy in the late 1920s proposed the concept of general systems theory. The theory offers a set of assumptions regarding the maintenance of an entity as a result of the complex interaction of its elements or parts. What does it mean to take the whole instead of the sum of its parts? It means that the focus is based on the pattern of relationships within a system, or between systems, instead of studying parts in isolation. We can sum it up as the elements produce a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The concepts of organization and wholeness are keys to understanding how systems operate. Let’s say that if a system represents a set of units that stand in some consistent relationship to one another, then we can affirm that the system is organized around those relationships, isn’t it? 

Now, it is time to analyze our family relations, so dive in!

Have you ever seen a family member as the problem of everything? I have, and I always thought that I was right. Nevertheless, as I studied this topic, I figured that I was wrong all the time.

We tend to locate the problem within the individual, as I did many times. However, with systems theory, the locus of the pathology-the location of the problem- is not within the person, but we can say that the system in which he or she is a part is dysfunctional. Does that make sense? Maybe giving an example will help.

Think of a family as being represented by a circle for each member, with lines connecting them. Those lines represent the communication patterns, or relations, between members. Systems theories affirm that the problem is in the lines (communication patterns) than in the circle (individual members.) We can say that adopting a systems view calls for more than viewing the family constellation in isolation.

The interaction of family members typically follows organized, established patterns based on the family structure; these patterns allow each member to know what is permitted or not in the interactions with family members. What are these patterns?

Don Jackson was the first to observe that family interactions follow a certain, persistent pattern, called rules. Family members exchange views about one another, as well as expectations about their relationship. They set specific rules and duties for each spouse. Jackson affirmed that family rules determine the way people pattern their behavior; thus, rules provide the guidelines for future interactive patterns. He adopted a marital quid pro quo concept to describe a relationship with well-defined rules in which each partner gives and receives something in return. Further on, Jackson formulated the hypothesis that a redundancy principle exists in family life, according to which a family interacts in repetitive behavior sequences. It is these rules rather than individual needs that determine the interactive sequences between family members.

Another pattern that characterizes the family system is boundaries. Per definition, boundaries are lines that distinguish a system from its environment and impact the interaction between the two. A system with a continuous information flow to and outside is considered an open system. On the other hand, one whose boundaries are not easily crossed is defined as a closed system. Which system are you?

Throughout this week, I came to understand how important it is to understand family as a whole by defining their rules and boundaries. Analyzing our families to understand the interactions between members, in my opinion, is the key to progression within families. I believe families create the right environment where parents can grow future citizens who will increase Human Capital, rise efficiency, and strengthen communities. 

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