Introduction to Bowen Family Systems Theory
Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) is a theoretical model which seeks to understand human functioning in the broadest possible perspective. The theory postulates that human thinking about human functioning has typically been through man's understanding of nature, rather than as a natural phenomenon in and of itself. The theory postulates that there are basic principles governing human functioning that exist in nature, and as such are not a function of how man understands himself. Rather, how man has tended to understand himself is a function of those principles.
This theory seeks to comprehend human functioning phenomenologically, not causally. Typically, the main thread of understanding human functioning has been in terms of an individualist/linear/explanatory way of thinking; this way of thinking postulates that the locus of functioning is within individual members of the species. BFST approaches human functioning from a very different perspective, namely, that the human being is primarily a social creature, and as such, the locus of understanding behavior is in terms of the group. The main divergence of BFST from normative psychology is that of the starting point of conceptualization: what is the primary point of reference for conceptualization of human functioning, the individual or the relationship group? Hence, the typical understanding of the individual from normative psychological approaches diverges greatly from the understanding of the individual as understood in BFST.
It is interesting to note that modern scientific thinking has generally understood organisms and entities from a contextual perspective. We think about ecosystems, we understand that one organism can only be understood in terms of its context and its relationship to other organisms. We understand planets, molecules, and chemical processes in this way, yet when it comes to thinking about human functioning, all of a sudden we think in a non-contextual way. We look at families and relationships as if these are formed as an aggregate of individuals, that relationships are like billiard balls that collide into each other, and that relationships are of two independent entities who interact with each other, and the interaction is an accidental by-product of the individual psychological, internal process of each.
BFST identifies this way of thinking as a product of human functioning itself, and starts with the premise that it is the relationship unit that must be the starting point and reference point of conceptualization, and that each member, in some ways and to some degree, derives its identity from its involvement in and incorporation in the relationship unit.
History of the Theory
About fifty years ago, Murray Bowen began exploring schizophrenia by hospitalizing families. He began moving from a conceptualization of schizophrenia as an individualistic phenomenon (i.e. having its roots in the person) to one having something to do with the mother-child relationship. From that point, he moved towards seeing how schizophrenia has something to do with the functioning of the whole family unit. Without blaming the family for the schizophrenia, he began to articulate a theory, with a set of related concepts that articulate how the social existence of human beings has something primary to do with the functioning of each of its individual members.
He began to notice how the functioning level of the identified patient has something fundamentally to do with the interactions of the other members of the family. He saw how the rise and fall of functioning level in any one individual member of the family was in relationship to the kinds of interactions within the family unit. He postulated that there is a basic level of differentiation of self of the unit, and that in essential ways the members of the unit are not as separate in their functioning, as they may appear to be.
The family was thought of not as a collection of individuals, but as a primary unit in and of itself (and itself embedded in a societal context), with two primary forces. One force was an instinctual need to belong, to merge with the group and to be identified with the group. The second had to do with a pull towards self-ness, a way of functioning, which derives from one's own perspective. The concept of differentiation of self has to do with the balance and tension between these two instinctual forces.
Further, there is a flow of energy across the unit and through each of its members; he called this energy anxiety. It is in the way that a family balances theses two forces, and manages the flow of anxiety that differentiates its members from each other and from the unit as a whole. Hence, while each member may have an intellectual understanding of events, functioning is guided mostly by an emotional process, which has to do with the unrecognized emotional process of the family. This could, perhaps, be understood as a 'family force' which each member is in some way tied to and behaves in reference to. Bowen thought that these principles were constant, and were present in all families of the species - that is, they describe the basic principles governing functioning of the species. In this regard, his work has had significant implications for psychotherapeutic treatment and the whole concept of diagnosis. (There will be a separate module on treatment.)
Bowen also postulated that, along with the concept of differentiation of self, there is a corollary concept of anxiety, which is not to be confused with the feeling of anxiousness. Bowen postulated that anxiety is an inherent energy that flows through the family, especially when elements of threat or de-stability are introduced into the family. He theorized that anxiety belongs to the unit as a whole, and that individual members of the family tend to carry it for the family as a whole.
By starting with the family as the unit of observation or treatment rather than with the individual, he was able to identify how anxiety moves through the family, according to its level of differentiation of self, and how it comes to rest on, generally, one member of the unit, who tends to be more absorbent of the anxiety than other members.
Bowen also postulated that the way a family functions has something to do with its emotional history, meaning that the level of functioning of a family has something to do with he called the multigenerational transmission process. Anxiety flows along generationally-defined lines, to a great degree. The way an individual member functions in his/her family has something to do with the way anxiety has moved through the generations of the particular family.
Bowen understood that the functioning level of a family, besides having something to do with generational issues, has to do with the level of functioning of the society in which it is currently embedded. He postulated that there is also a level of differentiated functioning of society as a whole (along with its own history), which he called societal regression.
Course Format
Bowen's theory consists of eight conceptual dimensions, each of which is integral to the theory as a whole. Each of these dimensions reflects and highlights the theory in particular ways. This self-study course is organized into eleven modules which, taken together, will examine these concepts. It is important to remember that these concepts do not stand alone and exist within the context of the theory as a whole.
Each module will have several pages of introductory material followed by a series of questions designed to help the student explore the content and clarify his/her understanding of BFST. Responses to the questions will be e-mailed to a WPFC faculty member for review and feedback. Feedback will be provided via e-mail and scheduled real time discussion with the assigned faculty member.
Movement to the next module takes place when the faculty member working with the student determines that the student has a basic level of understanding of the core concepts presented in the module. A student is considered to have finished the course when she/he has completed all modules. The suggested time frame is six months. As the student moves through the material, she/he will have access to previous modules in addition to the current one being explored but will be unable to move into future modules without faculty approval.
List of Course Modules
The following is the list of the ten modules contained in this self-study course
- Thinking Systemically: The Origins and Evolution of Systems Thinking
- Differentiation of Self and Anxiety
- Nuclear Family Emotional System: The family as Natural System
- Triangles
- Emotional Projection Process
- Multigenerational Transmission Process
- Emotional Cut-Off
- Birth Order/Sibling Position
- Emotional Process in Society: Societal Repression
- Spirituality Understood From a Systems Perspective
Primary Texts
- Bowen, Murray, M. D., Family Theory in Clinical Practice, New York: W: J A 1978, ISBN 0-87668-334-0
- Comella, Patricia, Bader, Joyce, Ball, Judith, Wiseman, Kathleen, Sagar, Ruth Riley, (Eds.) The Emotional Side of Organizations Not Business, Washington D. C.: Georgetown Family Center, 1996
- Kerr, Michael M.D., & Murray Bowen, M. D., Family Evaluation, New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1978, ISBN 0-393-70056-9
- The Wisdom of the Ages: A Conference on Bowen Theory and Spirituality, Western Pennsylvania Family Center, 1998. (Contact WPFC at 412-362-2295 or by e-mail: info@wpfc.net)
WPFC Education Resource Library (ERC)
Resource material in the WPFC library is available to reference the student's thinking and has been used by students throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Materials include:
- Audio and video tapes - (A list of audio/visual tapes)
- Books on the theory and other related topics
- Original manuscripts - (These can not be taken out of the library)
Pre-Requisites
- Open to anyone interested in studying Bowen Family Systems Theory in this format
- Access to a computer with on line e-mail capability. Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater and Netscape 4.0 or greater are highly recommended.
- Purchase of four texts which will serve as the basis for study
- Payment of $400.00 fee
- Fill out and submit an application form on line and participate in a discussion with a WPFC faculty member prior to beginning the course.
- Note: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are not available at this time
Application Process
- The student will fill out and submit the application on line.
- The student will send in the $400.00 course fee as instructed in the application.
- WPFC faculty will review the application and assign a faculty member to the student.
- The student will receive an e-mail (a) acknowledging acceptance into the course and (b) directing the student to chose a user name and password.
- The assigned faculty member name and e-mail well as the student access code will then be given.
- The assigned faculty member will contact the student to address any questions prior to getting started.
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