Question 1

Regarding negative feedback, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   Negative feedback is critical, which creates change in the family.
B)   Negative feedback means new information which means something is changing.
C)   Negative feedback mean no new information which means the system maintains homeostasis.
D)   Negative feedback is something no one likes. C

Question 2

All of the following are true of double-bind communication EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   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.
B)   the communication frees the receiver to correct his/her response.
C)   within the relationship, a message is given that has a primary injunction (request or order)  and a secondary message that contradicts the first.
D)   the receiver of the injunction has the sense that he/she cannot escape or step outside of contradiction. B

Question 3

Name the two closely related philosophical traditions that inform family therapy. Describe the ways in which they are similar.

Accepted Answer

The two closely related philosophical traditions that inform family therapy are systemic thinking and constructivist thinking.

Systemic thinking emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals within a family system and the ways in which each person's behavior and emotions can impact and be impacted by others in the family. This approach views the family as a complex system with its own patterns, rules, and dynamics that influence the behavior of its members.

Constructivist thinking, on the other hand, focuses on the ways in which individuals construct their own realities and meanings through their interactions with others and their environment. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding each family member's unique perspective and subjective experiences, and how these shape their interactions and relationships within the family system.

Despite their differences, systemic and constructivist thinking are similar in several ways. Both traditions emphasize the importance of understanding the context in which individuals and families operate, and the ways in which this context shapes their experiences and behaviors. They also both highlight the significance of relationships and interactions within the family system, and the ways in which these can contribute to both individual and collective well-being. Additionally, both traditions recognize the complexity and diversity of human experience, and the need for therapists to approach each family with openness, curiosity, and empathy. Overall, systemic and constructivist thinking provide complementary perspectives that can enrich the practice of family therapy and help therapists to better understand and support the families they work with.

Question 4

______________________ 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.

Accepted Answer

A)   Modernism
B)   Humanism
C)   Systemic
D)   Postmodernism

Question 5

Key concepts related to communication patterns in systems are: one cannot "not" communicate, report and command (metacommunication), double binds, epistemology, and _______________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   translating systemic concepts
B)   leading by example
C)   flexibility
D)   second-order cybernetics.

Question 6

Discuss the concept that "one cannot not communicate".

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the concept that "one cannot not...

Question 7

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Postmodernists assume that "reality" is negotiated through...

Question 8

Systemic and social constructionist theories share all of the following assumptions EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   a person's lived reality is relationally constructed.
B)   personal identity and symptoms are related to the social systems of which they are a part.
C)   changing one's language and description of the problem does not alter how it is experienced
D)   truth can only be determined within relational contexts- an objective, outside observer is impossible.

Question 9

The key to maintaining stability or "homeostasis" in the family is the ability to self-correct, which requires feedback.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Name five of the family therapy theories which fall under systemic therapy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name five of the family therapy theories...

Question 11

What do the following three theories have in common: solution-focused, narrative, and collaborative?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do the following three theories have...

Question 12

Systemic therapists remain focused on ____________________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   the labeling of individual pathology
B)   the interconnectedness of the problem behavior to its context
C)   dysfunctional relationships
D)   assigning blame to specific family members

Question 13

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.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Systemic approaches view the family as a system, an entity in itself. This view results in which of the following propositions?

Accepted Answer

A)   Everybody orchestrates the interactional patterns.
B)   All behavior makes sense in context.
C)   A single person can be blamed for family distress.
D)   Behavior in families never makes sense.

Question 15

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 ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   modernism
B)   postmodernism
C)   systemic
D)   humanism

Question 16

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:

Accepted Answer

A)   modernism
B)   objectivism
C)   humanism
D)   postmodernism

Question 17

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?

Accepted Answer

A)   linguistic
B)   personal
C)   social
D)   academic

Question 18

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.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Postmodernists also make assumptions about culture and what it is to be humane. Pick the statement that best describes these assumptions.

Accepted Answer

A)   All cultures must identify certain behaviors as acceptable and unacceptable, therefore cultural norms are humane.
B)   All cultures must identify certain behaviors as acceptable and unacceptable, but are humane to the extent they demonstrate the ability to be reflexive.
C)   The adoption of cultural norms by any culture limits those for whom the norms do not fit and therefore cultural norms should be avoided.
D)   The extent to which a culture listens and responds to minority voices will limit the success of the culture.

Question 20

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.

Accepted Answer

A)   systemic theory
B)   humanism
C)   postmodernism
D)   modernism

Exam 4: Philosophical Foundations

Regarding negative feedback, which of the following is true?

All of the following are true of double-bind communication EXCEPT:

Name the two closely related philosophical traditions that inform family therapy. Describe the ways in which they are similar.

Key concepts related to communication patterns in systems are: one cannot "not" communicate, report and command (metacommunication) , double binds, epistemology, and _______________________.

Discuss the concept that "one cannot not communicate".

Systemic and social constructionist theories share all of the following assumptions EXCEPT:

The key to maintaining stability or "homeostasis" in the family is the ability to self-correct, which requires feedback.

Name five of the family therapy theories which fall under systemic therapy.

What do the following three theories have in common: solution-focused, narrative, and collaborative?

Systemic therapists remain focused on ____________________________.

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.

Systemic approaches view the family as a system, an entity in itself. This view results in which of the following propositions?

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 ____________________.

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:

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?

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.

Postmodernists also make assumptions about culture and what it is to be humane. Pick the statement that best describes these assumptions.

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.