This essay will give an overview of Murray Bowen’s theory Family Systems. I will describe theory’s development and outline its core concepts. I chose to write about Murray Bowen and his theory for the reason that I found concepts of Family Systems Theory to be valuable and appropriate in personal therapy as well as in family therapy setting. Bowen’s theory offers greater understanding of the human condition by looking through the lens of family of origin relationships and events which have occurred in order to improve overall human functioning.
Development of Family Systems Theory
During the 1950’s Muray Bowen began to work in the National Institute of Mental Health where families resides as a collective to help cure a member …show more content…
Members of the system are expected to respond to each other in a certain way according to their role, which is determined by relationship agreements. Through these agreements a pattern begins to emerge through the analysis of the family’s behavior and interactions with one another (Family Systems Theory, 2014). This pattern is the definitive balance for each family’s system, yet the pressure or responsibility that are distributed amongst each family member may not be equal despite this balance (Family Systems Theory, 2014). For example, if a husband suffers from anger issues, the wife may try to alleviate the anger despite becoming depressed. The impact of one’s issues within this family balance is a domino effect, with one potentially trying to keep the balance because of another’s slack. This burden is what can lead to more serious psychological complications and dysfunction (Family Systems Theory, 2014). In the case of this wife, she may become exhausted for carrying the burden of her husband’s issues, leading to depression or even more serious …show more content…
Murray Bowen, 2014). This depends on several factors, like how prone to influence an individual may be versus how much of their personality is not up for negotiation. The level of differentiation is one’s ability to function according to their own principles despite being under emotional pressure. The more in tune with one’s core, the less prone they are to being swayed by emotions.
The third governing principle of this theory is the nuclear family emotional system. According to this system there are four family issues that can lead to imbalances. Marital conflicts, dysfunction in a spouse, being emotionally distant, and impairment in children can create burdens upon the roles and responsibilities of particular family members. This system mitigates differentiation “with conflict, distance, over and under functioning reciprocity, which at extremes can lead to dysfunction in a spouse, and child focus” ” (Dr. Murray Bowen,
Development of Family Systems Theory
During the 1950’s Muray Bowen began to work in the National Institute of Mental Health where families resides as a collective to help cure a member …show more content…
Members of the system are expected to respond to each other in a certain way according to their role, which is determined by relationship agreements. Through these agreements a pattern begins to emerge through the analysis of the family’s behavior and interactions with one another (Family Systems Theory, 2014). This pattern is the definitive balance for each family’s system, yet the pressure or responsibility that are distributed amongst each family member may not be equal despite this balance (Family Systems Theory, 2014). For example, if a husband suffers from anger issues, the wife may try to alleviate the anger despite becoming depressed. The impact of one’s issues within this family balance is a domino effect, with one potentially trying to keep the balance because of another’s slack. This burden is what can lead to more serious psychological complications and dysfunction (Family Systems Theory, 2014). In the case of this wife, she may become exhausted for carrying the burden of her husband’s issues, leading to depression or even more serious …show more content…
Murray Bowen, 2014). This depends on several factors, like how prone to influence an individual may be versus how much of their personality is not up for negotiation. The level of differentiation is one’s ability to function according to their own principles despite being under emotional pressure. The more in tune with one’s core, the less prone they are to being swayed by emotions.
The third governing principle of this theory is the nuclear family emotional system. According to this system there are four family issues that can lead to imbalances. Marital conflicts, dysfunction in a spouse, being emotionally distant, and impairment in children can create burdens upon the roles and responsibilities of particular family members. This system mitigates differentiation “with conflict, distance, over and under functioning reciprocity, which at extremes can lead to dysfunction in a spouse, and child focus” ” (Dr. Murray Bowen,