studied
500 Flashcards MFT Exam
Terms in this set (552)
In systemic therapy, what is the primary difference between linear causality and circular
causality?
Linear causality assumes one event directly causes another in a one-way sequence, while
circular causality views behaviors as mutually influencing within relational patterns. MFT
therapists primarily use circular causality because family problems are maintained through
interactional feedback loops rather than a single cause.
A therapist notices that whenever a teenager withdraws, the mother becomes intrusive and the
father becomes distant. What systemic concept is being observed?
This is a feedback loop within family interaction patterns. The teen's withdrawal triggers
maternal pursuit and paternal distancing, which may further reinforce the teen's withdrawal.
Define homeostasis in family systems theory.
Homeostasis refers to a family system's tendency to maintain stability and resist change, even
when current patterns are dysfunctional. Symptoms may serve to preserve relational balance.
In Bowenian therapy, differentiation of self means emotional detachment from family members.
Explain.
False. Differentiation means balancing emotional connection with autonomous thinking.
Emotional cutoff is unhealthy distancing, not differentiation.
1
,500 Flashcards MFT Exam
Which therapeutic model most strongly emphasizes multigenerational transmission processes?
Bowen Family Systems Therapy focuses heavily on multigenerational transmission, family
projection, emotional processes, and genograms.
In Structural Family Therapy, boundaries that are overly diffuse are called ______ boundaries.
Enmeshed boundaries. These boundaries result in excessive emotional involvement and lack
of autonomy.
A therapist joins the family system by mirroring communication style and affect. Which
Structural Family Therapy technique is this?
Joining. Salvador Minuchin emphasized joining as a method to gain acceptance and effectively
restructure the family system.
What is the purpose of reframing in systemic therapy?
Reframing changes the meaning attributed to behavior or symptoms to reduce blame,
resistance, or conflict while promoting new perspectives and adaptive interactions.
A child develops anxiety symptoms shortly after parental conflict intensifies. From a systemic
perspective, what might the symptom represent?
The child's symptom may stabilize the family system by diverting attention away from marital
conflict, functioning as a homeostatic mechanism.
Define triangulation according to Bowen theory.
Triangulation occurs when two people in conflict involve a third person to reduce anxiety and
stabilize the relationship.
A therapist tells a couple arguing constantly to intentionally schedule arguments for 15 minutes
nightly. What strategic technique is being used?
Paradoxical intervention. The therapist prescribes the symptom to alter interactional dynamics
and resistance.
2
,500 Flashcards MFT Exam
What is a first-order change in systemic therapy?
First-order change involves behavioral adjustments within the existing system structure without
fundamentally changing relational rules or organization.
What distinguishes second-order change from first-order change?
Second-order change alters the underlying structure, rules, or organization of the family
system, producing transformational rather than superficial change.
Which MFT pioneer developed Structural Family Therapy?
Salvador Minuchin developed Structural Family Therapy.
Which concept refers to family members taking on rigid functional roles such as hero,
scapegoat, or mascot?
Dysfunctional family role organization. These roles help maintain homeostasis but may impair
healthy development.
In Satir's experiential therapy, what is congruent communication?
Congruent communication occurs when verbal messages, emotions, body language, and
internal experiences are aligned authentically.
Strategic therapists primarily focus on insight into childhood experiences. Explain.
False. Strategic therapists focus on present interactional sequences and behavioral change
rather than insight-oriented exploration of childhood.
What is enactment in Structural Family Therapy?
Enactment involves asking family members to demonstrate problematic interactions during
session so the therapist can observe and restructure them directly.
A therapist notices coalition patterns where a parent consistently sides with a child against the
other parent. What systemic issue may exist?
Cross-generational coalition. This weakens generational boundaries and can destabilize family
hierarchy.
3
, 500 Flashcards MFT Exam
Define morphogenesis in systems theory.
Morphogenesis refers to a family system's capacity for adaptation, growth, and structural
change in response to stress or developmental demands.
What is the identified patient (IP) in family therapy?
The identified patient is the family member displaying symptoms, though systemic therapists
view the symptom as reflecting broader relational dysfunction.
A therapist asks each partner privately what they believe the other partner wants emotionally.
Which technique is being used?
Circular questioning. This Milan systemic technique explores perceptions, differences, and
relational patterns.
In Bowen theory, emotional distancing used to manage unresolved attachment is called
emotional ______.
Cutoff. Emotional cutoff reduces overt contact but often preserves unresolved emotional
reactivity internally.
Why is neutrality important in Milan systemic therapy?
Neutrality helps therapists avoid aligning with one family member and allows balanced
exploration of systemic dynamics without escalating alliances.
What is the primary goal of Structural Family Therapy?
To reorganize dysfunctional family structures, strengthen appropriate boundaries, and restore
effective hierarchies.
A therapist deliberately exaggerates a family's interactional pattern during session. What
strategic purpose might this serve?
Amplification increases awareness of dysfunctional patterns and may motivate change through
heightened recognition of consequences.
4
500 Flashcards MFT Exam
Terms in this set (552)
In systemic therapy, what is the primary difference between linear causality and circular
causality?
Linear causality assumes one event directly causes another in a one-way sequence, while
circular causality views behaviors as mutually influencing within relational patterns. MFT
therapists primarily use circular causality because family problems are maintained through
interactional feedback loops rather than a single cause.
A therapist notices that whenever a teenager withdraws, the mother becomes intrusive and the
father becomes distant. What systemic concept is being observed?
This is a feedback loop within family interaction patterns. The teen's withdrawal triggers
maternal pursuit and paternal distancing, which may further reinforce the teen's withdrawal.
Define homeostasis in family systems theory.
Homeostasis refers to a family system's tendency to maintain stability and resist change, even
when current patterns are dysfunctional. Symptoms may serve to preserve relational balance.
In Bowenian therapy, differentiation of self means emotional detachment from family members.
Explain.
False. Differentiation means balancing emotional connection with autonomous thinking.
Emotional cutoff is unhealthy distancing, not differentiation.
1
,500 Flashcards MFT Exam
Which therapeutic model most strongly emphasizes multigenerational transmission processes?
Bowen Family Systems Therapy focuses heavily on multigenerational transmission, family
projection, emotional processes, and genograms.
In Structural Family Therapy, boundaries that are overly diffuse are called ______ boundaries.
Enmeshed boundaries. These boundaries result in excessive emotional involvement and lack
of autonomy.
A therapist joins the family system by mirroring communication style and affect. Which
Structural Family Therapy technique is this?
Joining. Salvador Minuchin emphasized joining as a method to gain acceptance and effectively
restructure the family system.
What is the purpose of reframing in systemic therapy?
Reframing changes the meaning attributed to behavior or symptoms to reduce blame,
resistance, or conflict while promoting new perspectives and adaptive interactions.
A child develops anxiety symptoms shortly after parental conflict intensifies. From a systemic
perspective, what might the symptom represent?
The child's symptom may stabilize the family system by diverting attention away from marital
conflict, functioning as a homeostatic mechanism.
Define triangulation according to Bowen theory.
Triangulation occurs when two people in conflict involve a third person to reduce anxiety and
stabilize the relationship.
A therapist tells a couple arguing constantly to intentionally schedule arguments for 15 minutes
nightly. What strategic technique is being used?
Paradoxical intervention. The therapist prescribes the symptom to alter interactional dynamics
and resistance.
2
,500 Flashcards MFT Exam
What is a first-order change in systemic therapy?
First-order change involves behavioral adjustments within the existing system structure without
fundamentally changing relational rules or organization.
What distinguishes second-order change from first-order change?
Second-order change alters the underlying structure, rules, or organization of the family
system, producing transformational rather than superficial change.
Which MFT pioneer developed Structural Family Therapy?
Salvador Minuchin developed Structural Family Therapy.
Which concept refers to family members taking on rigid functional roles such as hero,
scapegoat, or mascot?
Dysfunctional family role organization. These roles help maintain homeostasis but may impair
healthy development.
In Satir's experiential therapy, what is congruent communication?
Congruent communication occurs when verbal messages, emotions, body language, and
internal experiences are aligned authentically.
Strategic therapists primarily focus on insight into childhood experiences. Explain.
False. Strategic therapists focus on present interactional sequences and behavioral change
rather than insight-oriented exploration of childhood.
What is enactment in Structural Family Therapy?
Enactment involves asking family members to demonstrate problematic interactions during
session so the therapist can observe and restructure them directly.
A therapist notices coalition patterns where a parent consistently sides with a child against the
other parent. What systemic issue may exist?
Cross-generational coalition. This weakens generational boundaries and can destabilize family
hierarchy.
3
, 500 Flashcards MFT Exam
Define morphogenesis in systems theory.
Morphogenesis refers to a family system's capacity for adaptation, growth, and structural
change in response to stress or developmental demands.
What is the identified patient (IP) in family therapy?
The identified patient is the family member displaying symptoms, though systemic therapists
view the symptom as reflecting broader relational dysfunction.
A therapist asks each partner privately what they believe the other partner wants emotionally.
Which technique is being used?
Circular questioning. This Milan systemic technique explores perceptions, differences, and
relational patterns.
In Bowen theory, emotional distancing used to manage unresolved attachment is called
emotional ______.
Cutoff. Emotional cutoff reduces overt contact but often preserves unresolved emotional
reactivity internally.
Why is neutrality important in Milan systemic therapy?
Neutrality helps therapists avoid aligning with one family member and allows balanced
exploration of systemic dynamics without escalating alliances.
What is the primary goal of Structural Family Therapy?
To reorganize dysfunctional family structures, strengthen appropriate boundaries, and restore
effective hierarchies.
A therapist deliberately exaggerates a family's interactional pattern during session. What
strategic purpose might this serve?
Amplification increases awareness of dysfunctional patterns and may motivate change through
heightened recognition of consequences.
4
