Family Systems Issue 1.1

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Table of Contents: 1.1

FROM THE EDITOR
Michael E. Kerr, MD

ARTICLES: Journal articles reflect natural systems thinking or are relevant to it. These may include concept papers as well as research studies.

WHAT KIND OF SYSTEM IS THE FAMILY?
Polly D. Caskie, MMH
The family movement's conceptual development has been influ-enced by three important systems theories: cybernetics, general systems theory, and natural systems theory. Careful examination of the basic assumptions, conceptual origins, and primary goals of these theories reveal important differences—differences which have consequences for the future development of theory and research in the field of family.

Darwin's theory of evolution by means of natural selection, a natural systems theory, contains the basic premise that, despite our uniqueness, human beings are a part of nature and subject to the same evolutionary forces as the rest of the living world. That premise is the bedrock on which Bowen family systems theory is built and is the vantage point from which Bowen developed a unique view of the family as a natural system. This view of the family as a natural system differs from other concepts of systems frequently applied to the family.

DIFFERENTIATION IN CELLULAR, SOCIAL, AND FAMILY SYSTEMS
John Tyler Bonner, PhD
There is a fundamental sameness in how cells group together to form a multicellular organism, how individual animals come together to form a social group, and how members of a human family form an integrated unit. It involves the differentiation of members of the group so that they assume varied roles that come to some sort of equilibrium. For each level two mechanisms are involved: one is the result of the immediate environment that directly influences the nature of the differentiation of the individuals, and the other is the result of the innate make-up of all the individuals that leads to their finding their proper role in the group.

BOWEN FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY AND THE INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC UNIT
James Hasselle, MD
Bowen family systems theory is used to conceptualize disorder and guide behavior on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Bowen theory represents a natural systems framework for considering function and dysfunction. The unit is described, including the admission and evaluation process. The concepts of the emotional system, differentiation of self, individual togetherness forces, triangles, and societal emotional process facilitate understanding the "identified patient" as a component of his own family emotional system. Also considered are the patient’s and the family's emotional functioning as a component of the larger societal emotional system represented by the hospital. An awareness of the emotional processes has the potential to reduce the risk of unwittingly repeating in the treatment process and in the societal system those components that have supported the dysfunction leading to hospitalization. 

NEUTRALITY IN A VIOLENT WORLD
Stephanie J. Ferrera, MSW
Many theorists have postulated an innate drive to explain aggression. Some have considered it a destructive and dangerous drive. A natural systems view is more neutral. It seeks to understand aggression both as a natural phenomenon, an adaptation which evolved in many species due to its contribution to survival and reproductive success, and as a systems phenomenon, a behavior which evolves and is shaped and regulated in the context of relationship systems. Wilson views aggressive behavior as a spectrum of responses rather than a single drive, and delineates seven forms seen in animals and humans. De Waal observes that fighting in primates is usually followed by reconciling, and believes that the interplay of the two cements social bonds. Bowen‘s theory of the emotional system and differentiation of self makes it possible to understand the full spectrum of aggressive behavior, from the well-regulated level to the violent level on a single continuum without invoking a unique or pathological drive to account for violence. The effort toward a scientific and neutral theory of aggression informs the effort to develop ethical principles for regulating this behavior.

BRIEF REPORT: Brief reports present important ideas in development and promising research in its early stages.

ADDICTION TO PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS
Roberta M. Gilbert, MD 
Sixteen people were seen in psychiatric consultation for addiction to prescribed medications. Addiction to prescribed medication invariably involves a problem in the physician/patient relationship as well as in the relationship system of the patient. Using the theoretical framework of Bowen family systems theory, the consultant understood the relationship problem as an overfunctioning/underfunctioning reciprocity. The relationship pattern is outlined and described as are the theoretical principles applied in the relationship dilemmas. Theory was used to point the way out of the difficulties. Patients were in charge of planning their own treatment. Psychotherapy and, for some, biofeedback training, were utilized. Fifteen patients were able to withdraw themselves from prescribed medications and function better in relationships.  

FACULTY CASE CONFERENCE: Presentation of a faculty clinical case, followed by a discussion with faculty members of the Bowen Center.

Presenter: Kathleen B. Kerr, MSN, MA 
This clinical case report is based on a presentation at a Faculty Case Conference in November 1993. The main purpose of this presentation was to discuss a topical area - abuse - from the perspective of Bowen family systems theory rather than to present a comprehensive family evaluation. 

BOOK REVIEWS: Reviews on books relevant to Bowen theory and its many applications.

SEX AND FRIENDSHIPS IN BABOONS
Barbara Boardman Smuts
Reviewed by Margaret G. Donley, MSW

THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE
Edward O. Wilson
Reviewed by Daniel V. Papero, PhD, MSSW

THE BIOLOGY OF THE NAKED MOLE-RAT
Paul W. Sherman, Jennifer U. M. Jarvis, and Richard D. Alexander, editors
Reviewed by Michael E. Kerr, MD