What Is Murray Bowen's Family Systems Theory
Family Systems Theories
Bowen’s Family Systems Theory
Dr. Murray Bowen’s family system theory is an integrative theory that conceptualized “the family as an emotional unit and the individual as part of that unit rather than an autonomous psychological entity” (Kerr, 1988, p.35). This theory posits that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from their families, because families are in themselves systems of interrelated and interdependent individuals involved in reciprocal relationships (Kerr, 1998). Bowen’s family systems theory consists of eight interconnected concepts, but for the purpose of this paper I will only discuss his concept on triangles.
Triangulation occurs when a dyad, a relationship between two people, becomes strained …show more content…
Individuals perceptions of the inherent rewards and costs in an interpersonal relationship can help explain how people make decisions in deciding whether to maintain a relationship or disengage from a relationship (Miller & Bermudez, 2004). Although, all relationships, whether intimate or not, have a give a give and take aspect, this transaction is not always equal. There are many assumptions that seek to explain the decision process behind the rewards and cost transaction that occurs in relationships. The majority of these assumptions center on maximizing gains in the relationship (Miller & Bermudez, …show more content…
I noticed that they seemed much happier than I did, and seemed free. I thought that as a teen I deserved to have fun too; especially, since I’d always kept my grades up. I was in the honor society, in the top five percent of my class, and never given my mom any trouble or cause for concern. Yet, it felt like she and the rest of my family just wanted to take and take from me, so I eventually acted out and ran away. However, I experienced distress in that relationship as well, since my boyfriend used me and often left me alone. He refused to work and I had to d everything, so I returned home. In this example, my perception of rewards and costs motivated my decisions. My perceptions of social rewards and costs also motivated my
Bowen’s Family Systems Theory
Dr. Murray Bowen’s family system theory is an integrative theory that conceptualized “the family as an emotional unit and the individual as part of that unit rather than an autonomous psychological entity” (Kerr, 1988, p.35). This theory posits that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from their families, because families are in themselves systems of interrelated and interdependent individuals involved in reciprocal relationships (Kerr, 1998). Bowen’s family systems theory consists of eight interconnected concepts, but for the purpose of this paper I will only discuss his concept on triangles.
Triangulation occurs when a dyad, a relationship between two people, becomes strained …show more content…
Individuals perceptions of the inherent rewards and costs in an interpersonal relationship can help explain how people make decisions in deciding whether to maintain a relationship or disengage from a relationship (Miller & Bermudez, 2004). Although, all relationships, whether intimate or not, have a give a give and take aspect, this transaction is not always equal. There are many assumptions that seek to explain the decision process behind the rewards and cost transaction that occurs in relationships. The majority of these assumptions center on maximizing gains in the relationship (Miller & Bermudez, …show more content…
I noticed that they seemed much happier than I did, and seemed free. I thought that as a teen I deserved to have fun too; especially, since I’d always kept my grades up. I was in the honor society, in the top five percent of my class, and never given my mom any trouble or cause for concern. Yet, it felt like she and the rest of my family just wanted to take and take from me, so I eventually acted out and ran away. However, I experienced distress in that relationship as well, since my boyfriend used me and often left me alone. He refused to work and I had to d everything, so I returned home. In this example, my perception of rewards and costs motivated my decisions. My perceptions of social rewards and costs also motivated my