Premium
Formulations of Self and Family Systems
Author(s) -
BRIGHTONCLEGHORN JANET
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
family process
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.011
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1545-5300
pISSN - 0014-7370
DOI - 10.1111/j.1545-5300.1987.00185.x
Subject(s) - parallels , family therapy , psychology , family systems , family systems theory , psychology of self , developmental psychology , self organization , cognitive psychology , epistemology , social psychology , psychotherapist , cognitive science , computer science , artificial intelligence , engineering , philosophy , operations management
The observations of systemic family therapy and self psychology fit together conceptually because both rest upon systems theory. Underlying assumptions common to both fields of inquiry are reviewed. The concept of the self and its parts is examined, with discussion of its systems properties featuring stability and change. Parallels are noted between (a) healthy self‐functioning and healthy family functioning; (b) self‐formation processes and family developmental processes; and (c) sense of self and family paradigm. It is suggested that there are isomorphic patterns in these formulations that allow us to switch back and forth easily between the individual and the family. Two clinical case examples are also included.