FCS 4845

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FCS 4845

• Understanding Marriage and Family Dynamics

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The Family Circumplex Model
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Family Circumplex Model

• The model describes three general types of family
  systems (Balanced, Mid-range, and Extreme) and
  sixteen more specific types
• Specific types
• Chaotically (disengaged, connected, cohesive,
  enmeshed)
• Flexibly (disengaged, connected, cohesive,
  enmeshed)

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Cont.

• Structurally (disengaged, connected, cohesive,
  enmeshed)
• Rigidly (disengaged, connected, cohesive,
  enmeshed)

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Important Hypothesis

• A hypothesis was developed to reflect diversity
• It states that if normative expectations of
  families support behavior that is extreme on one
  or both of the dimensions, families will function
  well as long as all the family members are
  satisfied with these expectations

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Dynamic Changes in Family Relationships

• Change in early marriage
• Family cohesion across the family life cycle
• Family flexibility across the family life cycle

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Using the Family Circumplex Model in Premarital
Counseling

• It can help couples discuss and compare their
  families of origin

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Using the Family Circumplex Model in Family
Therapy

• Is often used by marriage and family therapists
  working with families

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Major Dimensions of Couple and Family Systems
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Family Cohesion

• Balance between separateness and togetherness -
  need to find this balance in both couple and
  family relationships
• Extreme togetherness and extreme separateness -
  too much, problematic for an intimate
  relationship over time

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Family Flexibility

• Focuses on balancing stability and change
• The most functional couples and family systems
  have both characteristics but are able to move
  back and forth between them.

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Cont.

• Balance between stability and change - dynamic
  model assumes that relationships change over
  time, and will change and will be most evident
  when there is a major stressor in the family
• Extreme stability and extreme change - extreme
  stability inhibits growth in the family, lack of
  structure produce family chaos

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The Couple and Family Map

• A relationship map
• The concept of dynamic balance
• Balanced families and communication skills