ABSTRACT
For decades, family therapists have been unable to clearly define or describe family systems theory. Instead of being a theory, family systems theory has really become more of a collection of vague ideas. Family therapists also aren’t always clear on how to define “system.” A system has three components – elements, interactions, and purpose. Elements are the things that interact, and the interactions of the elements are what describes its purpose.
The family system is a biological system embedded in social systems. Biological systems are autonomous – they have processes that generate and maintain the system – and adaptable – they make reversible and irreversible changes based on their internal state and their environment. Social systems are used to secure power, and access to resources. The elements of social systems are communication and conflict.
Family systems theory predicts and explains how people within a family interact. The family system is created by the genetic, individual, attachment, and triangulation systems. Each of these systems is autonomous and adaptable. Autonomy and adaptation in a family system are generated and maintained by the threat-response, belonging, and individuality process.
