Systems Theory and Family Therapy - A Primer

A concise, readable introduction to systems theory (and especially second-order cybernetics) with practical applications to family therapy.

List of contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword
Sally St. George and Dan Wulff
Preface
Raphael J. Becvar
Introduction
Chapter 1: About Theories
Chapter 2: Systems Theory/Cybernetics: A Paradigm Shift
Modernism
Postmodernism
Constructivism
Social Constructionism
First-Order and Second-Order Cybernetics
Chapter 3: First-Order Cybernetics: Definitions of Concepts
Boundaries
Communication/Information Processing
Context
Entropy and Negative Entropy
Equifinality
Homeostasis, Morphostasis, and Morphogenesis
Open and Closed Systems
Positive and Negative Feedback
Recursion
Relationship
Wholeness
Summary and Conclusion
Chapter 4: Second-Order Cybernetics: Definition of Concepts
Autopoiesis
Consensual Domains
Epistemology of Participation
Feedback
Non-Purposeful Drift
Openness and Closedness
Reality as a Multiverse
Structural Coupling
Structural Determinism
Wholeness and Self-Reference
Summary and Conclusion
Chapter 5: Family Interpretive Systems/Stories
Chapter 6: Family Development Through the Life Cycle
Chapter 7: The Family as System
Chapter 8: A Critique and Defense of the Systems Perspective
Chapter 9: Patterns to Ponder
Chapter 10: Implications for Family Therapy
Stability and Change
General Principles
Engaging the Family, Assessment, and Therapeutic Goals
Pragmatics
Final Thoughts
Chapter 11: In Conclusion
References
Index
About the Authors

About the author

By Raphael J. Becvar; Dorothy Stroh Becvar and Lynne V. Reif - Foreword by Sally St. George and Dan Wulff

Summary

A concise, readable introduction to systems theory (and especially second-order cybernetics) with practical applications to family therapy.

Product details

• Authors: Dorothy Stroh Becvar, Raphael J. Becvar, Raphael J. Becvar Becvar, Becvar Dorothy Stroh, Becvar Raphael J., Lynne Reif, Lynne V. Reif
• Assisted by: St. George Sally (Foreword), Wulff Dan (Foreword)
• Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 18 to 22
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.10.2023
• EAN: 9781538185674
• ISBN: 978-1-5381-8567-4
• No. of pages: 158
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Applied psychology; PSYCHOLOGY / Psychotherapy / General, PSYCHOLOGY / Psychotherapy / Couples & Family, EDUCATION / Counseling / General, Family psychology, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy: couples and families, Education: care & counselling of students, Counselling and care of students