AMFTRB MFT EXAM PREP TEST BANK
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
●● 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.
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
●● 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.
