Cybernetics in the Family and Systemic Therapies - Essay Example

Using Theory and Practice to Critically Evaluate the Shift from the First-Order to Second-Order Cybernetics in the Family and Systematic Therapies Student Name Institution Cybernetics is a science relating to communication and control theory, fundamentally concerned with comparative study and analysis of automatic regulatory or control systems. It also refers to a trans-disciplinary approach generally concerned with exploring the control systems, their structures, possibilities, and constraints (Gehart, 2014). Cybernetics is particularly relevant and applicable to the study of systems, including physical, cognitive, social, mechanical, and biological systems. Cyberneticists study various concepts, such as learning, adaptation, social control, efficiency, cognition, connectivity, and communication, among others (Gehart, 2014). The change generated in the system’s environment or settings is reflected in some manner within the system, prompting a system change (also known as feedback cycle). Different philosophers, theorists and therapists have played a vital role in the dramatic shift from the first-order to second-order cybernetics in the family and systematic therapies. First-order cybernetics dictates that both family and systematic therapists perceives phenomena through a process of observation instead of being deeply influenced by the process (Clarke & Hansen, 2009). In this regard, the observer is not part of the system. Similarly, the therapist can discover and solve problems without necessarily getting involved directly into the system in order to instigate change. Second-order cybernetics studies the function or role of observer (human observer) in the construction of various models of systems, as well as other observers. It investigates the construction of the models of cybernetic systems. Besides, second-order cybernetics investigates the cybernetics with complete awareness that investigators are essentially part of the system, playing a remarkable part in providing a way out to self-organizing and subject-object problem (Clarke & Hansen, 2009). In essence, the investigators are often cybernetically engaged with the system under observation thus affecting the system or being affected by it (the system). The systematic therapy mainly addresses people on both individual and in relationships. This form of therapy deals with interactions of groups as well as their interactional dynamics and patterns. Cybernetics is vital to the development of systematic and family therapies. It is particularly essential to the development of family systems theory as it marks the beginning of the study as well as exploration of many forms of systems, including families (Haslebo & Nielsen, 2000). Family therapy (or family systems therapy) is a form of therapy where the counselor works closely with the primary family as a whole, rather than working with individual members. In most cases, a family therapist will refuse to start a session if they realize that one or more family members are missing. Family therapy asserts that members of a family will fight against a member who does something that contravenes the accepted norms and guiding principles of that particular family (Haslebo & Nielsen, 2000). Incidentally, family systems therapy is the foundation of systematic therapy. Virtually all families and systems attempt to maintain homeostasis primarily because a change or alteration in one member of the family triggers the rest of the group to adapt and change too. The change generated in the system’s environment is often reflected in some way within the system, prompting a system change (feedback). In most instances, feedback keeps things the same or stable. A typical example of feedback is the population control of rabbits versus foxes. That is, a decline in the population of rabbits results in a significant decrease in fox population (Clarke & Hansen, 2009). Apparently, the rabbits are inadequate and cannot sustain a high fox population. In the same way, the rabbits will start to multiply once fox population decreases thus the cycle begins all over again. The rabbit and the fox make up a system. A change in a system that results in compromise for the benefit of all parties involved constitutes a positive feedback (Clarke & Hansen, 2009). Overall, the negative feedback will help keep the rabbit and fox population in check. Family theorists began by studying schizophrenia in specific families and discovered that most families that had an identified member suffering from schizophrenia also had pathological interaction or communication patterns. That is, such a member showed signs of poor communication skills that significantly contributed to a variety of problems (Becvar & Becvar, 1999). As a result, many family theorists believed and concluded that pathological behaviors and communication were the primary causal or contributing factors of schizophrenia. Family systems theorists, such as Gregory Bateson, believed that the use of family double binds escalated cases of poor communication and interaction skills. Apparently, a double bind is a situation or condition in which an individual receives conflicting messages and often punished regardless of what they do (Becvar & Becvar, 1999). Thus, many people may not live to trust other people or relate to them, or get fully convinced that they indeed mean exactly what they claim they mean. Bowenian Family Theory (a theory formulated by Murray Bowen) is influential in understanding and development of family systems therapy (family therapy). It also acts as scaffolding for several family theorists. According to this theory, families are complex, multifaceted social systems basically understood through their relationships across generations (Gehart, 2014). Bowen used the family members’ genogram to enable the family understand the entanglements and alliances of members. He believes that family members need to differentiate from each other in order to solve family members. Bowen maintains that family members ought to differentiate between emotions and thoughts, which are critical elements for clear thinking, planning, and acting according to personal values. Accordingly, family therapists subscribing to Bowenian philosophy endeavor to treat families primarily by increasing differentiation and lessening anxiety between individual members of a family (Gehart, 2014). Meanwhile, Carl Whitaker studied schizophrenics as well as their families. He discovered that families of patients with schizophrenia exhibited some correlation with the poor communication and several other behavioral patterns. As a result, Whitaker and other like-minded theorists endorsed family treatment, rather than individual treatment. Systematic therapy mainly addresses people at individual level and in relationships, focusing more on group interactions and interactional patterns and dynamics. Early schools and theorists such as Virginia Satir, Salvador Minuchin, Jay Haley, and Murray Bowen played a remarkable role in advancing the shift from first-order to second-order cybernetics in systematic therapy. Cybernetics was the basis of early forms of systematic theory, especially in the 1970s (Boscolo & Bertrando, 1996). The work of two historical anthropologists Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson was the major contributing factor to the shift to second-order cybernetics, clearly acknowledging fundamental influence of subjective observer in any systematic therapy (Boscolo & Bertrando, 1996). Today, systematic therapy has moved away from the modernist model to a postmodern understanding or perception of reality as linguistically and socially constructed. In conclusion, cybernetics is largely concerned with the functioning of systems, rather than the components of a system. It particularly focuses on the manner in which systems utilize information, control actions, and models to advance and maintain both their short-term and long-term goals, while counteracting potential disturbances (Dattilio, 1998). As a trans-disciplinary approach, cybernetics is pertinent when the system being analyzed integrates a closed signal loop; the system’s action generates certain changes to its environment. The series of interdisciplinary meetings held between 1944 and 1953 significantly contributed to growth of cybernetics as a specific field (Dattilio, 1998). The meetings brought together post-war intellectuals of family and systems therapies, including Ross Ashby, Wiener, Margaret Mead, John von Neumann, and Gregory Bateson. Cybernetic reasoning, on the other hand, is pertinent to understanding, modeling, and designing systems of different kinds, such as physical, social, psychological, technological, ecological, or biological systems (Hedges, 2005). Cybernetics played an integral role in the growth and advancement of modern sciences, such as information theory, control theory, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, simulation science, and computer modeling (Hedges, 2005). Lastly, first-order cyberneticists study a system objectively, treating it as something that can be taken apart, observed, and manipulated. In contrast, second-order cybernetics investigates the cybernetics with total awareness that investigators are basically part of the system. References Becvar, D. S., & Becvar, R. J. (1999). Systems theory and family therapy: A primer. Lanham: University Press of America. Boscolo, L., & Bertrando, P. (1996). Systemic therapy with individuals. London: Karnac Books. Clarke, B., & Hansen, M. B. N. (2009). Emergence and embodiment: New essays on second-order systems theory. Durham: Duke University Press. Dallos, R. (2010). An Introduction to Family Therapy. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill International (UK) Ltd. Dattilio, F. M. (1998). Case studies in couple and family therapy: Systemic and cognitive perspectives. New York: Guilford Press. Gehart, D. R. (2014). Mastering competencies in family therapy: A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation. Belmont, Calif: Brooks/Cole Pub. Gehart, D. R. (2014). Mastering competencies in family therapy: A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation. Belmont, Calif: Brooks/Cole Pub. Haslebo, G., & Nielsen, K. S. (2000). Systems and meaning: Consulting in organizations. London: Karnac Books. Hedges, F. (2005). An introduction to systemic therapy with individuals: A social constructionist approach. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Maturana, Humberto R. and Francisco J. Varela (1988). The Tree of Knowledge.Boston and London: New Science Library, Shambala Publications, Inc. Wiener, Norbert (1948). Cybernetics, or control and communication in the animal and the machine.Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Technology Press; New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Read More