FAMILY SOLUTIONS INSTITUTE AMFTRB
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Problems develop through a lack of intrapsychic and interpersonal
differentiation. Answer: Intergenerational Theory (Bowen)
Underpinnings
◉ The inability to develop balance between intellect and emotion as
well as self and others
leads to anxiety. Answer: Intergenerational Theory (Bowen)
Underpinnings
◉ Anxiety is lowered within the current family system and between the
current family and families-of-origin as a result of understanding
multigenerational or current family dynamics and increasing
differentiation of self. Answer: Intergenerational Theory (Bowen)
Theory of Change
◉ ● Coach
● Maintains differentiated and non-anxious stance
● Non-reactive observer provides statements of opinion while avoiding
interpretations
,● Takes an "I" position. Answer: Intergenerational Theory (Bowen) Role
of Therapist
◉ (Intergenerational Theory) Triangle. Answer: A three-person system
that is considered to be the smallest stable emotional system.
◉ (Intergenerational Theory) Triangulation. Answer: Occurs when two
people under stress bring in a third person or thing (e.g., alcohol, church)
in an attempt to minimize anxiety.
◉ Differentiation of Self (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: A main
goal of therapy is to increase the level of differentiation of self. Refers to
an individual's ability to separate emotions from intellect in the face of
anxiety. The less differentiation of self, the more fused a person and the
greater dysfunction in the family. The greater the level of differentiation,
the more a person is able to rely on their intellect while also enjoying
intimacy of close relationships. High levels of differentiation from
family of origin can be seen in individuals exhibiting healthy
relationships with their family of creation (not fused, not distant).
◉ Differentiation of Self Scale (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: A
100-point scale broken into quadrants, with zero equaling no self
(fusion) and 100 equaling realized self.
◉ Family Projection Process (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: The
mechanism by which parental emotional issues are projected onto a
,child. For example, lower functioning parents tend to pass their low
level of differentiation onto the most vulnerable child in the family.
◉ Multigenerational Transmission Process (Intergenerational Theory).
Answer: The concept of passing on patterns of behavior, roles, and
levels of differentiation from one generation to the next, which
perpetuates severe dysfunction in the family of creation.
◉ Nuclear Family Emotional System (Intergenerational Theory).
Answer: (also referred to as undifferentiated family ego mass) Describes
the dysfunctional emotional stuck-togetherness or fusion of the family
that includes high levels of emotional reactivity and anxiety.
◉ Emotional Cutoff (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: Bowen's term
for flight from an unresolved emotional attachment to a person's family
of origin. It represents a false sense of freedom as the problems remain
unresolved and continue to negatively affect the person attempting to
disconnect.
◉ Emotional Fusion (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: A blurring of
psychological boundaries between self and others. It is considered to be
passed down from generation to generation.
◉ Genogram (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: Schematic diagram of
the family system. Diagrams the family (typically three generations or
more) to help determine critical turning points in the family emotional
, process, characteristics of family members, and provide an evolutionary
picture of family.
◉ Sibling Position (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: The position of a
child in the family relative to other siblings; oldest, youngest, middle
child. Bowen believed that people who grow up in the same sibling
position share important attributes. For instance, older siblings are more
likely to seek out positions of leadership, and younger siblings are more
inclined to be followers.
◉ Treatment Goals of Intergenerational Theory (Bowen). Answer: ●
Distinguishing and choosing between intellect and emotion; increasing
each family member's level of differentiation.
● De-triangulation
● Decrease anxiety/stress and increase emotional neutrality.
● Help individuals learn more about themselves and their relationships,
so they can
assume responsibility for their own problems.
● Increase parents' ability to manage their own anxiety/stress and
thereby become better
able to handle their children's behavior.
● Repair emotional cut-offs
● Fortify the couples' emotional functioning by increasing their ability to
operate
independently from their families-of-origin.
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Problems develop through a lack of intrapsychic and interpersonal
differentiation. Answer: Intergenerational Theory (Bowen)
Underpinnings
◉ The inability to develop balance between intellect and emotion as
well as self and others
leads to anxiety. Answer: Intergenerational Theory (Bowen)
Underpinnings
◉ Anxiety is lowered within the current family system and between the
current family and families-of-origin as a result of understanding
multigenerational or current family dynamics and increasing
differentiation of self. Answer: Intergenerational Theory (Bowen)
Theory of Change
◉ ● Coach
● Maintains differentiated and non-anxious stance
● Non-reactive observer provides statements of opinion while avoiding
interpretations
,● Takes an "I" position. Answer: Intergenerational Theory (Bowen) Role
of Therapist
◉ (Intergenerational Theory) Triangle. Answer: A three-person system
that is considered to be the smallest stable emotional system.
◉ (Intergenerational Theory) Triangulation. Answer: Occurs when two
people under stress bring in a third person or thing (e.g., alcohol, church)
in an attempt to minimize anxiety.
◉ Differentiation of Self (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: A main
goal of therapy is to increase the level of differentiation of self. Refers to
an individual's ability to separate emotions from intellect in the face of
anxiety. The less differentiation of self, the more fused a person and the
greater dysfunction in the family. The greater the level of differentiation,
the more a person is able to rely on their intellect while also enjoying
intimacy of close relationships. High levels of differentiation from
family of origin can be seen in individuals exhibiting healthy
relationships with their family of creation (not fused, not distant).
◉ Differentiation of Self Scale (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: A
100-point scale broken into quadrants, with zero equaling no self
(fusion) and 100 equaling realized self.
◉ Family Projection Process (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: The
mechanism by which parental emotional issues are projected onto a
,child. For example, lower functioning parents tend to pass their low
level of differentiation onto the most vulnerable child in the family.
◉ Multigenerational Transmission Process (Intergenerational Theory).
Answer: The concept of passing on patterns of behavior, roles, and
levels of differentiation from one generation to the next, which
perpetuates severe dysfunction in the family of creation.
◉ Nuclear Family Emotional System (Intergenerational Theory).
Answer: (also referred to as undifferentiated family ego mass) Describes
the dysfunctional emotional stuck-togetherness or fusion of the family
that includes high levels of emotional reactivity and anxiety.
◉ Emotional Cutoff (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: Bowen's term
for flight from an unresolved emotional attachment to a person's family
of origin. It represents a false sense of freedom as the problems remain
unresolved and continue to negatively affect the person attempting to
disconnect.
◉ Emotional Fusion (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: A blurring of
psychological boundaries between self and others. It is considered to be
passed down from generation to generation.
◉ Genogram (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: Schematic diagram of
the family system. Diagrams the family (typically three generations or
more) to help determine critical turning points in the family emotional
, process, characteristics of family members, and provide an evolutionary
picture of family.
◉ Sibling Position (Intergenerational Theory). Answer: The position of a
child in the family relative to other siblings; oldest, youngest, middle
child. Bowen believed that people who grow up in the same sibling
position share important attributes. For instance, older siblings are more
likely to seek out positions of leadership, and younger siblings are more
inclined to be followers.
◉ Treatment Goals of Intergenerational Theory (Bowen). Answer: ●
Distinguishing and choosing between intellect and emotion; increasing
each family member's level of differentiation.
● De-triangulation
● Decrease anxiety/stress and increase emotional neutrality.
● Help individuals learn more about themselves and their relationships,
so they can
assume responsibility for their own problems.
● Increase parents' ability to manage their own anxiety/stress and
thereby become better
able to handle their children's behavior.
● Repair emotional cut-offs
● Fortify the couples' emotional functioning by increasing their ability to
operate
independently from their families-of-origin.
