Bowen's Theory
Four basic relationship patterns that govern where problems develop in a family.
What is the Nuclear Family Emotional Process?
This is the main cause of emotional triangles.
What is Anxiety?
This feeling can be caused by excitement, tension, stress, worry, nerves and phobias.
What is Anxiety?
A family tree that displays detailed information on family relationships, emotional relationships, and illnesses.
What is a Genogram?
The primary ways in which parents transmit their emotional problems to a child.
What is the Family Projection Process?
The greater the fusion between parents and children, the greater the likelihood of this occurring.
What is Emotional Cutoff?
This lets off steam but freezes conflict in place.
What is Triangulation?
Socioeconomic status, marital conflict, substance and parental illness are indicators of this state.
What is Family Stress?
Questions aimed at calming anxiety and accessing information about mechanisms driving the presenting problem. An essential Bowenian technique.
What are Process Questions?
Important common characteristics based in part on birth order of children.
What is Sibling Position?
Families with higher levels of "this term" were better able to resist destructive social influences.
What is Differentiation?
A triangle that involves a child and two parents, for example.
What is a cross-generational triangle (or coalition)?
What one experiences after narrowly being hit by a car, for example.
What is Acute Anxiety?
A process through which family members become aware of systems processes and their role in them.
What are Relationship Experiments?
Descriptor of people that are easily moved to emotion and reactivity.
What are Undifferentiated People?
This is constantly fed by the fear of what MIGHT be.
What is Chronic Anxiety?
A calm, clear statement of personal opinion.
What is an "I" position?
How the family shapes the interplay of individuality and togetherness, using five interlocking concepts.
What is Bowen's Family Systems Theory?