Ch4 Philosophical Foundations Test Questions & Answers

Chapter 4: Philosophical Foundations

of Family Therapy Theories

Multiple Choice

1. The philosophical foundation of the various family therapy models typically include:
   1. systems theory and social constructivism
   2. psychodynamic theory
   3. social constructivism
   4. behavioral theory and the medical model

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Systemic therapists remain focused on ____________________________.
   1. the labeling of individual pathology
   2. the interconnectedness of the problem behavior to its context
   3. dysfunctional relationships
   4. assigning blame to specific family members

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. The two major threads emphasized in systemic theory are concepts related to systemic structure and concepts related to ______________________.
   1. symmetrical relationships
   2. communication patterns
   3. how the theory came about
   4. individual behavior

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. The key concepts related to the structure of systems are: homeostasis and self-correction, negative and positive feedback, first and second order change, and _________________.
   1. symmetrical and complimentary relationships
   2. the therapeutic relationship
   3. individual well-being and personal growth
   4. placing blame on individual family members

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. The term “homeostasis” in the case of families means all of the following EXCEPT:
   1. behavioral norms.
   2. emotional norms.
   3. interactional norms.
   4. social norms

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. The key to maintaining stability or “homeostasis” in the family is the ability to self-correct, which requires feedback.
   1. True
   2. False

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Regarding negative feedback, which of the following is true?
   1. Negative feedback is critical, which creates change in the family.
   2. Negative feedback means new information which means something is changing.
   3. Negative feedback mean no new information which means the system maintains homeostasis.
   4. Negative feedback is something no one likes.

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Second-order change describes when a system restructures its homeostasis in response to positive feedback. An example of second-order change would be:
   1. a couple reducing the pursuer-distancer pattern and increasing each person’s ability to tolerate more togetherness and more distance.
   2. when roles reverse in the family, but the underlying family structure and rules for relating stay essentially the same.
   3. any interaction which results in confrontation.
   4. a couple who make change when the other person is present, but return to homeostasis when their partner is not present.

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. All of the following are true of complementary relationships EXCEPT:
   1. each party has a distinct role that balances or complements the other.
   2. conflict in these relationships is less frequent because there are clearly defined, separate roles.
   3. all parties get along better because the relationships are equal rather than hierarchical.
   4. these relationships often become a problem with couples when their roles become exaggerated or rigid.

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Key concepts related to communication patterns in systems are: one cannot “not” communicate, report and command (metacommunication), double binds, epistemology, and _______________________.
   1. translating systemic concepts
   2. leading by example
   3. flexibility
   4. second-order cybernetics.

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Since all behavior is a form of communication and it is impossible to not be engaged in some form of behavior, it follows that we are always communicating.
   1. True
   2. False

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Each communication has two components – report and command. Which of the following is true?
   1. Report refers to the relationship of the message and is primarily nonverbal.
   2. Command refers to content of the message and is primarily verbal.
   3. Command refers to the relationship aspect of the message and is primarily nonverbal.
   4. Report refers to the content of the message and is primarily nonverbal.

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. All of the following are true of double-bind communication EXCEPT:
   1. it involves two people in an intense relationship that has a high survival value such as a family relationship, a friendship, or a therapist-client relationship.
   2. the communication frees the receiver to correct his/her response.
   3. within the relationship, a message is given that has a primary injunction (request or order) and a secondary message that contradicts the first.
   4. the receiver of the injunction has the sense that he/she cannot escape or step outside of contradiction.

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Bateson’s ideas about epistemology are foundational to systemic family therapies. From his cybernetic investigation, Bateson concluded that most of the propositions humans assume to be true are true.
   1. True
   2. False

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Second-order cybernetics refers to applying system principles to the observing system. The therapist can no longer assume to be a neutral, unbiased observer, but is ____________________ in creating what is observed.
   1. responsible
   2. the guiding force
   3. an active participant
   4. a hindrance

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Systemic approaches view the family as a system, an entity in itself. This view results in which of the following propositions?
   1. Everybody orchestrates the interactional patterns.
   2. All behavior makes sense in context.
   3. A single person can be blamed for family distress.
   4. Behavior in families never makes sense.

REF: Systemic Foundations

1. Social constructionism has been the influential in the development of new psychotherapy models such as solution-focused, collaborative, and narrative therapies.
   1. True
   2. False

REF: Social Constructionist Foundations of Family

1. Systemic and social constructionist theories share all of the following assumptions EXCEPT:
   1. a person’s lived reality is relationally constructed.
   2. personal identity and symptoms are related to the social systems of which they are a part.
   3. changing one’s language and description of the problem does not alter how it is experienced
   4. truth can only be determined within relational contexts- an objective, outside observer is impossible.

REF: Social Constructionist Foundations of Family

1. Social constructionists meet the challenges of therapy with certain assumptions. The first assumption is that all “truths” and “realities” as constructed. The construction of “realities” takes place on which of these levels?
   1. linguistic
   2. personal
   3. social
   4. academic

REF: Social Constructionist Foundations of Family

1. Postmodernists also make assumptions about culture and what it is to be humane. Pick the statement that best describes these assumptions.
   1. All cultures must identify certain behaviors as acceptable and unacceptable, therefore cultural norms are humane.
   2. All cultures must identify certain behaviors as acceptable and unacceptable, but are humane to the extent they demonstrate the ability to be reflexive.
   3. The adoption of cultural norms by any culture limits those for whom the norms do not fit and therefore cultural norms should be avoided.
   4. The extent to which a culture listens and responds to minority voices will limit the success of the culture.

REF: Social Constructionist Foundations of Family

1. Family therapy theories, whether systemic or constructivist, can further be understood by exploring philosophical foundations. All of the following are philosophical foundations of family therapy EXCEPT:
   1. modernism
   2. objectivism
   3. humanism
   4. postmodernism

REF: Rock-Paper-Scissors and Other Strategies for Choosing a Theory

1. In the ___________________ philosophical approach, the therapist is the expert who assumes the primary responsibility for identifying problems, diagnosing, choosing an approach, and creating client goals.
   1. modernist
   2. systemic
   3. humanism
   4. postmodernism

REF: Rock-Paper-Scissors and Other Strategies for Choosing a Theory

1. ______________________ is the philosophical approach in which the assumption that all behavior is a form of communication and that because no “one” person is responsible for the behavior (or problem/s) in the system, that the goal is to create change by altering the interaction patterns within the system.
   1. Modernism
   2. Humanism
   3. Systemic
   4. Postmodernism

REF: Rock-Paper-Scissors and Other Strategies for Choosing a Theory

1. The philosophical approach which assumes that humans are essentially good and that given a supportive, nurturing environment will naturally tend toward growth and strive for self-actualization is ____________________.
   1. modernism
   2. postmodernism
   3. systemic
   4. humanism

REF: Rock-Paper-Scissors and Other Strategies for Choosing a Theory

1. In ___________________, the primary function of the therapist is to help in the process of constructing new realities with the client because it is understood that there is no “reality” and that meaning is created through language, relationships, society, and culture.
   1. systemic theory
   2. humanism
   3. postmodernism
   4. modernism

REF: Rock-Paper-Scissors and Other Strategies for Choosing a Theory

Short Answer

1. Name the two closely related philosophical traditions that inform family therapy. Describe the ways in which they are similar.
2. Discuss the concept that “one cannot not communicate”.
3. Postmodernists assume that “reality” is negotiated through relationships and that we assign meaning to something based on the context of place, culture, persons that surround it. Provide an example of an idea such as pre-marital sex and discuss how it may take on different meaning in different contexts.
4. Name five of the family therapy theories which fall under systemic therapy.
5. What do the following three theories have in common: solution-focused, narrative, and collaborative?