2 0 2 4 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
UCO Nelda Fister- Ind/Fam Dev: Exam 4
new Questions and Answers 2024/2025
What is a theory?
A theory is a set of statements about how some part of the world works.
-Makes sense of the world
-Identify patterns
-Make predictions
-Organize research
- Dev & test hypothesis
-Describe & Explain
-Provides answers
Theories are composed of concepts and propositions.
What is a concept?
Concepts are either concrete or abstract and include: major ideas, building blocks &
words
Concrete vs. Abstract
Concrete= "black & white", there is not a lot of ways to view it. (ex. concept of a
chair)
Abstract= Formal thinking, thinks outside the box, left for interpretation. (ex. love, religion and
art)
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,2 0 2 4 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Assumptions of Systems theory
- The family is a holistic unit
- Families are composed of subsystems that are separated from supra-system
- Provides physical maintenance (maintains homeostasis)
-Is a complex social system
-Families change and Dev.- in different ways because of internal and external (environmental)
influences
-A change in one part of the family leads to a change in the whole system
-All parts of the system are dependent on one another.
-Family constantly exchanges information, energy and matter (resources) with the environment
Wholesomeness
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
(ex. family going on a trip together)
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Boundaries
-limitations
-Separates family system from the environment
- Helps maintain the system
-Can be referred to as open, closed or random
What is the meaning of an assumption?
Something you believe to be true
Permeability
Refers to the degree of openness or closeness of the systems boundaries
-Controls the systems exchange of energy, information and matter (resources) with the
environment
open vs closed system
Open: a living system, constantly exchanging energy, information and matter
(resources) with the environment, the greater the openness the greater possibility for
change. i.e. (couple agreeing to go to therapy together).
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, 2 0 2 4 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Closed: a closed family system is isolated from its environment, the greater the closure the less
possibility of change, does not exchange information, energy and matter (resources) with the
environment
Change
-every family member is a part of a system
- a change in one part of the system (family) will cause a change in other parts of the system
- change requires adaptation of every member of the family as roles & functions take on new
meanings
- once change occurs the system does not revert back to its' former state
i.e. ( family member going to jail for drugs. Their family will never look at the the same way
again).
Example of a system(s)
- family
- school
- work
-church
-extended family
1|Page| GradeA+ | 2 0 0 2 5
UCO Nelda Fister- Ind/Fam Dev: Exam 4
new Questions and Answers 2024/2025
What is a theory?
A theory is a set of statements about how some part of the world works.
-Makes sense of the world
-Identify patterns
-Make predictions
-Organize research
- Dev & test hypothesis
-Describe & Explain
-Provides answers
Theories are composed of concepts and propositions.
What is a concept?
Concepts are either concrete or abstract and include: major ideas, building blocks &
words
Concrete vs. Abstract
Concrete= "black & white", there is not a lot of ways to view it. (ex. concept of a
chair)
Abstract= Formal thinking, thinks outside the box, left for interpretation. (ex. love, religion and
art)
1|Page| GradeA+ | 2 0 0 2 5
,2 0 2 4 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Assumptions of Systems theory
- The family is a holistic unit
- Families are composed of subsystems that are separated from supra-system
- Provides physical maintenance (maintains homeostasis)
-Is a complex social system
-Families change and Dev.- in different ways because of internal and external (environmental)
influences
-A change in one part of the family leads to a change in the whole system
-All parts of the system are dependent on one another.
-Family constantly exchanges information, energy and matter (resources) with the environment
Wholesomeness
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
(ex. family going on a trip together)
1|Page| GradeA+ | 2 0 0 2 5
,2 0 2 4 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Boundaries
-limitations
-Separates family system from the environment
- Helps maintain the system
-Can be referred to as open, closed or random
What is the meaning of an assumption?
Something you believe to be true
Permeability
Refers to the degree of openness or closeness of the systems boundaries
-Controls the systems exchange of energy, information and matter (resources) with the
environment
open vs closed system
Open: a living system, constantly exchanging energy, information and matter
(resources) with the environment, the greater the openness the greater possibility for
change. i.e. (couple agreeing to go to therapy together).
1|Page| GradeA+ | 2 0 0 2 5
, 2 0 2 4 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Closed: a closed family system is isolated from its environment, the greater the closure the less
possibility of change, does not exchange information, energy and matter (resources) with the
environment
Change
-every family member is a part of a system
- a change in one part of the system (family) will cause a change in other parts of the system
- change requires adaptation of every member of the family as roles & functions take on new
meanings
- once change occurs the system does not revert back to its' former state
i.e. ( family member going to jail for drugs. Their family will never look at the the same way
again).
Example of a system(s)
- family
- school
- work
-church
-extended family
1|Page| GradeA+ | 2 0 0 2 5
