Structural Analysis of Family Dysfunction (Interaction, Interpersonal Assessment, Scapegoating, Direct Observation, Markov Analysis)
Foster, Sharon Winifred
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/69663
Description
Title
Structural Analysis of Family Dysfunction (Interaction, Interpersonal Assessment, Scapegoating, Direct Observation, Markov Analysis)
Author(s)
Foster, Sharon Winifred
Issue Date
1985
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Psychology, Clinical
Abstract
A central tenet of family systems theory has been that family members behave in a manner that maintains dysfunctional perceptions of other family members and of themselves. One of the key ways in which this tenet has been described is through the construct of scapegoating. This construct was translated into a set of propositions about isomorphic patterns expected in family members' self and other perceptions and actual behavioral interaction. Ten families completed a series of ratings about their perceptions of their own and other family members' interpersonal behavior. Each family also engaged in a conflict re-enactment, which was videotaped and coded using Benjamin's SASB coding schema. Results suggested that sample families were similar with respect to the salience of the dimension of autonomy-control in both the rating and behavioral interaction data. More specifically, (a) the majority of parents viewed the identified patients (IPs) as having more autonomy with respect to them than the parents viewed themselves as having had with respect to one or both of their own parents; (b) the "absorbing state" in the family interactions was predominantly one of adolescent assertion followed by parental control; and (c) parents viewed themselves predominantly in terms of self-control. Discussion focused on the need for fuller understanding of the relationships between perceptual and behavioral factors in family dysfunction.
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