Family Systems
A Journal of Natural Systems Theory in Psychiatry and the
Sciences
Back Issues
Contents of Family Systems Volume 4, Number 1
ARTICLES
The Triadic Nature of Primate Social Relationships
Frans de Waal, PhD and Molly Embree
pp. 5-18
A review of current literature on coalitions and alliances among primates indicates that primates may understand social relationships within their groups at a higher level of sophistication than most other mammals. Apparently of critical importance to primates' social complexity is triadic awareness, a term from biology which refers to the ability to understand relationships of others independently of one's own involvement. This ability to recognize relationships among multiple items (whether individuals or objects) in the environment may lie at the heart of primates' success using tools to achieve a physical goal (that is, obtaining termites from inside a mound) or using coalitions and alliances to achieve social goals (that is, secure the alpha position with the support of another). Though humans have developed this "triangulating" capacity to an extreme, expanding research on primate species shows this ability to be characteristic of the primate order rather than a human invention.
Naturally Constrained Social Systems
Patricia A. Comella, JD
pp. 19-33
In both human and nonhuman relationship systems, members automatically and continually respond to their environment and to each other. This automatic responsiveness operates at a level of intensity which varies from individual to individual, and over time as conditions change. The responsiveness, called emotional process in Bowen family systems theory, acts as a natural constraint on flexibility to function across the full spectrum of potential in the members of the system and the system itself. Naturally constrained social systems abound in nature and there is a wealth of theoretical and factual information available and potentially useful to understanding the constraints on behavior and functioning in both human and nonhuman relationship systems. Researchers studying behavior in nonhuman social systems have observed patterns of behavior which appear related to members' managing external relationships, particularly with predators, and internal relationships with other members, particularly about distribution of resources and dealing with the stresses of living in groups. Researchers applying Bowen family systems theory have observed the operation of multigenerational emotional process in human relationship systems and how it constrains the flexibility of members of these systems to adapt to changing circumstances. Drawing upon research across a broad spectrum of species, this paper examines how emotional process, especially anxiety and its sources, naturally constrains the behavior and functioning of members of social systems, and then applies this to a brief examination of one kind of human social system, the work system.
Individual Differences in Bottlenose Dolphin Infants
Janet Mann, PhD
pp. 34-48
This paper explores some of the characteristics that are shared by dolphins and primates and distinguish them, with particular emphasis on the development of individual differences. Some preliminary data on the development of wild bottlenose dolphins are presented. These data illustrate the stability of mother-infant contact over time, a striking contrast to the patterns found in most mammals, and the individual variability of exploratory behavior (time away from mother). The latter is consistent with the inhibited-disinhibited, bold-shy, or restrictive vs. laissez-faire differences found in many species of primates, including humans. These patterns are discussed in relation to the dolphin's social ecology and life history.
BRIEF REPORT
Family Emotional Process, Reactivity, and Patterns of Differentiation
Victoria Harrison, MA
pp. 49-62
This pilot study investigated aspects of family emotional process, levels and patterns of reactivity, and patterns of ovulation for ten women over three months. Basal body temperature and physiological and hormonal measures indicated differences between women who did and did not ovulate. Sustained levels of reactivity were present for women with anovulatory cycles. Anovulatory women and their mothers reported absence of contact with a higher number of family members than did those women who ovulated. For those who ovulated, patterns of delayed ovulation were consistent with increases and decreases in reactivity in the course of family life.
These observations about contact and emotional cutoff between family members, about reactivity and about patterns of ovulation suggest ways in which relationships within the family influence variation in human reproduction. Although the small number of subjects prohibits statistical correlation, the differences noted in this pilot study provide a basis for extending this study to a broader population.
FACULTY CASE CONFERENCE
Neurofeedback and the Developing Child
Presenter: Priscilla J. Friesen, LCSW
pp. 63-83
This clinical case report is based on a presentation at a Faculty Case Conference in February 1997. Identifying data have been altered to ensure confidentiality. This clinical case presentation is a report on the author's learning about EEG and how family theory and EEG are related. EEG (electroencephalogram) bio-feedback is the process of measuring brain waves and returning that information to an individual through auditory or visual feedback. This process promotes the ability of the person to learn and change his or her brain wave patterns and decrease symptoms.
EEG biofeedback is a field that in recent years has developed a number of clinical applications. Remarkable results have been reported with symptoms such as attention deficit disorder and alcoholism. Since 1994 the author has sought to understand these findings in a context beyond the individual and the symptom. What happens in the broader emotional unit when there is significant change in the functioning of one person? What is the nature of the way the brain operates that is reflective of the emotional unit?
BOOK REVIEWS
The Witch Doctors: Making Sense of the Management Gurus
John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge
Emotional Intelligence
Daniel Goleman
Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration
Warren Bennis and Patricia Ward Biederman
The Living Company
Arie De Geus
reviewed by Katharine G. Baker, DSW
pp. 84-95
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