Classical Conditioning:
ANSWER
A learning paradigm studied and practiced in a laboratory or other controlled environment
in which a stimulus called the unconditioned stimulus (US) which naturally elicits an uncon-
ditioned response (UCR), is paired with a neutral stimulus that does not initially elicit a re-
sponse. Through the repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus (now the conditioned stimulus -
CS) begins to elicit the desired response (now the conditioned response - CR).
Coaching
ANSWER
In Bowenian therapy (used by other models as well), the use of an objective person, such as
the therapist, to guide a family member to interact with other members in new ways and
prevent the family from seducing the person back into older, dysfunctional behaviors. The
therapist takes an educative role, rather than an emotional one.
Sibling Position:
ANSWER
Bowen theory incorporates the research of psychologist Walter Toman as a foundation for its
concept of sibling position. Bowen observed the impact of sibling position on development
and behavior in his family research. However, he found Toman's work so thorough and con-
sistent with his ideas that he incorporated it into his theory. The basic idea is that people
who grow up in the same sibling position predictably have important common characteris-
tics. For example, oldest children tend to gravitate to leadership positions and youngest chil-
dren often prefer to be followers. The characteristics of one position are not "better" than
those of another position, but are complementary. For example, a boss who is an oldest
child may work unusually well with a first assistant who is a youngest child. Youngest chil-
dren may like to be in charge, but their leadership style typically differs from an oldest's
style. (From the Bowen Center website)
1
, Coercion (Aversive Control):
ANSWER
From behavioral family therapy, one person uses aversive stimuli to control the behavior of
another.
Cognitive Behavior Family Therapy (CBT):
ANSWER
Therapies based on both behavioral techniques, which grew out of scientific, laboratory ex-
periments, and on the cognitive therapy models. People learn to modify behaviors both by
altering the reinforcement contingencies and/or changing the cognitions that influence their
behaviors and interactions.
Cognitive Maps:
ANSWER
Mental models by which incoming information is perceived, understood, transformed, and
stored, together with a corresponding repertoire of behavioral options. Maps are based on
the integration of experiences. Each part of the cognitive map - i.e., input and output - forms
the individual's internal representation of reality. Cognitive maps shape actions and commu-
nication. They may be flexible, able to change and expand cumulatively with new infor-
mation and experiences, or they may be rigid and limiting. Maps have both language and
spatial aspects with a private vocabulary and imagery that determines how incoming com-
munication is interpreted.
Collaborative Language Family Therapy:
ANSWER
From Goolishian and Anderson, a model of family therapy based on the idea that problems
are maintained in the family's language and may be resolved by changes in their use of lan-
guage. The therapist asks questions from a not knowing stance, designed to draw out the cli-
ent's own views of the problem. The problem is "dissolved" as new meanings and actions
evolve.
Contextual Family Therapy:
2
ANSWER
A learning paradigm studied and practiced in a laboratory or other controlled environment
in which a stimulus called the unconditioned stimulus (US) which naturally elicits an uncon-
ditioned response (UCR), is paired with a neutral stimulus that does not initially elicit a re-
sponse. Through the repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus (now the conditioned stimulus -
CS) begins to elicit the desired response (now the conditioned response - CR).
Coaching
ANSWER
In Bowenian therapy (used by other models as well), the use of an objective person, such as
the therapist, to guide a family member to interact with other members in new ways and
prevent the family from seducing the person back into older, dysfunctional behaviors. The
therapist takes an educative role, rather than an emotional one.
Sibling Position:
ANSWER
Bowen theory incorporates the research of psychologist Walter Toman as a foundation for its
concept of sibling position. Bowen observed the impact of sibling position on development
and behavior in his family research. However, he found Toman's work so thorough and con-
sistent with his ideas that he incorporated it into his theory. The basic idea is that people
who grow up in the same sibling position predictably have important common characteris-
tics. For example, oldest children tend to gravitate to leadership positions and youngest chil-
dren often prefer to be followers. The characteristics of one position are not "better" than
those of another position, but are complementary. For example, a boss who is an oldest
child may work unusually well with a first assistant who is a youngest child. Youngest chil-
dren may like to be in charge, but their leadership style typically differs from an oldest's
style. (From the Bowen Center website)
1
, Coercion (Aversive Control):
ANSWER
From behavioral family therapy, one person uses aversive stimuli to control the behavior of
another.
Cognitive Behavior Family Therapy (CBT):
ANSWER
Therapies based on both behavioral techniques, which grew out of scientific, laboratory ex-
periments, and on the cognitive therapy models. People learn to modify behaviors both by
altering the reinforcement contingencies and/or changing the cognitions that influence their
behaviors and interactions.
Cognitive Maps:
ANSWER
Mental models by which incoming information is perceived, understood, transformed, and
stored, together with a corresponding repertoire of behavioral options. Maps are based on
the integration of experiences. Each part of the cognitive map - i.e., input and output - forms
the individual's internal representation of reality. Cognitive maps shape actions and commu-
nication. They may be flexible, able to change and expand cumulatively with new infor-
mation and experiences, or they may be rigid and limiting. Maps have both language and
spatial aspects with a private vocabulary and imagery that determines how incoming com-
munication is interpreted.
Collaborative Language Family Therapy:
ANSWER
From Goolishian and Anderson, a model of family therapy based on the idea that problems
are maintained in the family's language and may be resolved by changes in their use of lan-
guage. The therapist asks questions from a not knowing stance, designed to draw out the cli-
ent's own views of the problem. The problem is "dissolved" as new meanings and actions
evolve.
Contextual Family Therapy:
2
