PYC4808
Assessment 3
Exam Portfolio
Due 17 September 2025
,PYC4808
Assessment 3
Exam Portfolio
Due 17 September 2025
Question 1: Ecomap of the Jackson Family Dynamics
An ecomap is a clinical tool used in family therapy to diagrammatically represent the
family unit’s connections with external systems and resources, visually distinguishing
between supportive, tenuous, and stressful relationships (Hartman, 1978). By mapping
these links, practitioners can identify sources of strain, resilience, and isolation within
the family’s ecological context. Although a hand-drawn or software-generated diagram
would best capture these dynamics, the following textual description provides a
comprehensive blueprint for replication in tools such as GenoPro or Draw.io.
At the center lies the Jackson Family, represented as a circle subdivided into six
individual members: George (71, assisted living), Evelyn (65, at home), David (45,
engineer), Laura (41, teacher), Jake (17, student), and Lily (13, student). External
systems are arranged around the family, each connected via line styles that denote the
quality of the relationship:
• Solid line: strong, positive connection
• Dashed line: tenuous, weak, or inconsistent connection
• Jagged line: stressful or conflictual connection
• Arrows: indicate the direction of energy, influence, or resource flow
Key Ecomap Connections
1. Jake’s High School
▪ Jagged line to Jake: reflects academic decline, withdrawal, and stress.
, ▪ Dashed line to the family: school recommends therapy, but David is
sceptical.
▪ Arrow toward Jake: highlights pressure from academics and athletics.
2. Former Cricket Team
▪ Dashed line to Jake: connection weakened since he quit the team.
▪ Arrow from team to Jake (stressful): loss of social outlet heightened
isolation.
3. Internship Programme (Accounting Firm)
▪ Jagged line to Jake: rejection became a significant stressor,
undermining his self-worth.
4. Gaming/Online World
▪ Solid line to Jake: serves as a coping mechanism and a source of
comfort.
▪ However, the connection is potentially isolating, replacing offline
interactions.
5. Lily’s School and Drama Club
▪ Solid line to Lily: positive, supportive outlet for her identity and peer
relationships.
▪ Arrow from Lily outward: she channels energy and independence into
rehearsals and extracurricular engagement.
6. David’s Workplace (Engineering Firm)
▪ Solid line to David: provides structure and stability for him.
▪ Jagged line to family: creates emotional distance and reinforces
avoidance patterns.
7. Laura’s Workplace (School)
▪ Solid line to Laura: allows her to express her nurturing identity.
Assessment 3
Exam Portfolio
Due 17 September 2025
,PYC4808
Assessment 3
Exam Portfolio
Due 17 September 2025
Question 1: Ecomap of the Jackson Family Dynamics
An ecomap is a clinical tool used in family therapy to diagrammatically represent the
family unit’s connections with external systems and resources, visually distinguishing
between supportive, tenuous, and stressful relationships (Hartman, 1978). By mapping
these links, practitioners can identify sources of strain, resilience, and isolation within
the family’s ecological context. Although a hand-drawn or software-generated diagram
would best capture these dynamics, the following textual description provides a
comprehensive blueprint for replication in tools such as GenoPro or Draw.io.
At the center lies the Jackson Family, represented as a circle subdivided into six
individual members: George (71, assisted living), Evelyn (65, at home), David (45,
engineer), Laura (41, teacher), Jake (17, student), and Lily (13, student). External
systems are arranged around the family, each connected via line styles that denote the
quality of the relationship:
• Solid line: strong, positive connection
• Dashed line: tenuous, weak, or inconsistent connection
• Jagged line: stressful or conflictual connection
• Arrows: indicate the direction of energy, influence, or resource flow
Key Ecomap Connections
1. Jake’s High School
▪ Jagged line to Jake: reflects academic decline, withdrawal, and stress.
, ▪ Dashed line to the family: school recommends therapy, but David is
sceptical.
▪ Arrow toward Jake: highlights pressure from academics and athletics.
2. Former Cricket Team
▪ Dashed line to Jake: connection weakened since he quit the team.
▪ Arrow from team to Jake (stressful): loss of social outlet heightened
isolation.
3. Internship Programme (Accounting Firm)
▪ Jagged line to Jake: rejection became a significant stressor,
undermining his self-worth.
4. Gaming/Online World
▪ Solid line to Jake: serves as a coping mechanism and a source of
comfort.
▪ However, the connection is potentially isolating, replacing offline
interactions.
5. Lily’s School and Drama Club
▪ Solid line to Lily: positive, supportive outlet for her identity and peer
relationships.
▪ Arrow from Lily outward: she channels energy and independence into
rehearsals and extracurricular engagement.
6. David’s Workplace (Engineering Firm)
▪ Solid line to David: provides structure and stability for him.
▪ Jagged line to family: creates emotional distance and reinforces
avoidance patterns.
7. Laura’s Workplace (School)
▪ Solid line to Laura: allows her to express her nurturing identity.
