Glossary / Lexicon

Family is defined as two (2) or more persons, related by birth, marriage, adoption, or choice, who have emotional ties and responsibilities to each other; any two (2) or more related people living in one household.

Description

In psychology, the concept of 'family' refers to a social unit composed of two or more individuals who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Families play a crucial role in shaping an individual's cognitive, emotional, and social development from early childhood through adulthood. The dynamics within a family can greatly impact an individual's self-esteem, sense of identity, and overall well-being.
Family systems theory posits that each member of a family is interconnected and that any change within the system will affect all members. This theory highlights the importance of understanding the interactions, roles, and communication patterns within a family to promote healthy relationships and functioning. Family therapy is a common approach in psychology that aims to help families resolve conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.
Familial relationships are often characterized by complex emotions, such as love, attachment, and conflict. Issues such as divorce, substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental illness can strain family dynamics and lead to dysfunction. Understanding these challenges and working towards healthy solutions is a key aspect of family psychology.
Family psychology also emphasizes the impact of intergenerational patterns, cultural beliefs, and societal influences on family dynamics. These factors can shape the values, beliefs, and behaviors within a family unit, influencing how members interact and relate to one another.

Areas of Application

• Therapy: A form of treatment that focuses on improving communication and relationships within a family.
• Parenting: The study of techniques and behaviors used by parents to raise their children.
• Developmental psychology: A branch of psychology that studies how family dynamics can impact a individual's development.
• Marriage counseling: A type of therapy that helps couples work through issues and improve their relationship.
• Family systems theory: A perspective that views the family as a complex system with its own structures and patterns of communication.

Well-Known Examples

• Family therapy: A type of psychological counseling that helps family members improve communication and resolve conflicts.
• Family systems theory: A psychological perspective that views the family as a dynamic system with interconnected relationships and patterns of behavior.
• Family dynamics: The patterns of communication, behaviors, and interactions within a family that influence the members' psychological well-being.
• Family structure: The organization of roles, relationships, and rules within a family that can impact individual mental health.

Treatment and Risks

• Family therapy: A form of psychological counseling that helps family members improve communication and resolve conflicts.
• Family systems approach: A therapeutic model that views family as a complex system with its own patterns of communication and behavior.
• Family dynamics: The patterns of interactions, roles, and relationships within a family that may impact individual members' mental health.
• Family interventions: Techniques and strategies used to address issues within the family unit and promote positive change.
• Family cohesion: The emotional bond and sense of unity within a family that can contribute to overall well-being.
• Family conflict: Disagreements or tension within a family that can lead to stress, resentment, and other negative outcomes.

Similar Terms

• Household: A group of people who live together and share common space and resources.
• Community: A group of individuals who interact and share common values, traditions, and beliefs.
• Relationship: The way in which two or more people are connected, or the state of being connected.
• System: A set of components that work together to achieve a common goal or function.
• Network: A group of interconnected individuals or organizations that share information and resources.

Weblinks

• https://www.apa.org/topics/families/index.aspx (American Psychological Association resources on family dynamics and relationships)
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/intlus/basics/family-therapy (Information on the basics of family therapy from Psychology Today)
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3272130/ (Research article on the impact of family dynamics on mental health)
• https://www.who.int/mental_health/72.pdf (World Health Organization document on promoting mental health and well-being within families)
• top500.de: 'Family' in the glossary of the top500.de

Articles with 'Family' in the title

• Behavioral family therapy: Behavioral family therapy refers to an approach to family therapy that views family relations in terms of reinforcement contingencies. Here, the therapist's role is to generate a Behavioral analysis of family problems and induce family memb . . .
• Collaborative family therapy: Collaborative family therapy is a form of family therapy where each family member sees a different therapist, and the therapists meet periodically to discuss their patients and the family as a whole
• Concurrent family therapy: Concurrent family therapy refers to a form of Family therapy in which one therapist sees all family members in individual sessions. The therapist may conduct traditional psychotherapy, in some cases, with the principal patient but likewise . . .
• Egalitarian family: An Egalitarian family (also Equalitarian family) is defined as a family in which both father and mother have equal authority and dominance. In psychology, an egalitarian (also spelled equalitarian) family is a family structure in which po . . .
• Extended family: An Extended family is the family group that includes family members other than the nucleus of parents and children- a family consisting of parents, children, grandparents, and other relatives all living together- a group of blood relatives . . .
• Families or Family systems: Families or Family systems : Families or Family systems refers to an organized structure that almost always provide a key context that influences their members' experiences of loss, grief and mourning
• Family constellation: Family constellation is defined as the number and birth order, as well as the personality characteristics of members of a family. Family constellation is important in determining lifestyle
• Family History: Family History refers to the information obtained from the parents of a specific client (child/patient) regarding potentially significant historical milestones and events that might have a bearing on the child's current difficulties
• Family perspective: Family perspective refers to a theoretical perspective in which it is assumed that abnormality is caused by disturbances in the pattern of interactions and relationships within the family
• Family resemblance: Family resemblance refers to Wittgenstein's contention that a category does not have a defining feature/essence that must be shared by all members of the category
• Family social system: Family social system refers to the complex network of relationships, interactions, and patterns of influence that characterize a family with three (3) or more members
• Family structure: Family structure is defined as the rules that have been developed in the course of family life to determine which members interact with which other members and in what way
• Family systems therapy: Family systems therapy refers to psychotherapy that focuses on the family, rather than the individual, as the source of problems- Family therapists challenge communication styles, disrupt pathological family dynamics, and challenge defensiv . . .
• Family systems/Families systems: Family systems/Families systems: Family systems/Families systems : Family systems refers to the Theory that the Behavior of an individual can be most accurately understood in the context of the dynamics of his or her family
• Family Therapy: Family Therapy refers to a therapeutic method that involves the entire family unit. Family therapy aims to help whole families or parts of families communicate better, particularly over thoughts, feelings, and arguments
• Nuclear family: Nuclear family is defined as a family consisting of a husband and wife and their children- a household grouping that includes the mother, father, and their children
• Work-family facilitation: Work-family facilitation: work-family facilitation refer to Individual coping strategies and family friendly attitudes and resources of the workplace that make it easier for employees to address pressing family demands within the scope of t . . .
• Pseudofamily: Pseudofamily refers to a type of family that develops when prostitutes and pimps live together. The rules, household responsibilities, and work activities are agreed on by all members of the family
• Family Systems Theory: Family Systems Theory : Family Systems Theory refers to the Theory that the Behavior of a person can be most accurately understood in the context of the dynamics of his/her family
• Adult family homes: Adult family homes refer to housing options that provide an alternative to nursing homes for adults who do not need 24-hour care. Adult family homes is also called Adult foster care
• Family history study: Family history study : Family history study is the study of the Heritability of a disorder involving identifying people with the disorder and people without the disorder and then determining the disorder's frequency within each person's . . .
• Family study: Family study : family study refers to genetic study that examines patterns of traits and behaviors among relatives. Other /More definition: Family study is defined as the genetic study that examines patterns of traits and behaviors among . . .
• Patriarchal family: Patriarchal family refers to a family in which the father has formal authority and dominance.
• Traditional nuclear family: Traditional nuclear family refers to a family unit consisting of a wife/mother, a husband/father, and their dependent child or children.
• Family dynamics: Family dynamics refers to the pattern of interactions among the members of a family. Other /More definition: Family dynamics is defined as the pattern of interactions among the members of a family.
• Work–family conflict: Work–family conflict: work–family conflict refers to the feeling of being pulled in multiple directions by incompatible demands from one’s job and one’s family
• Conjoint family therapy: Conjoint family therapy: Conjoint family therapy refers to a form of family therapy in which one therapist meets with the entire family at the same time
• Domestic violence (Family violence): Domestic violence (Family violence) : Domestic violence (Family violence) is defined as violence that occurs within the home or family between people who have a close relationship with each other
• Family life chronology: Family life chronology: Family life chronology refers to a way of recording significant events in a family's development.
• Family life cycle: Family life cycle: Family life cycle is defined as an orderly sequence of developmental stages that families tend to progress through. It is the series of predictable changes that most families experience
• Family projection process: Family projection process: Family projection process is defined as a means of projecting or transmitting a parental conflict to one or more children.
• Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) : Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Please see Buckley Amendment.
• Family sculpting: Family sculpting: Family sculpting is defined as a technique in which family members are physically molded or directed to take characteristic poses to represent a view of family relationships
• Family systems theories: Family systems theories: Family systems theories refer to theories that see the family as a complex system that works to maintain the status quo
• Family household: Family household: Family household is defined as two (2) or more individuals living together who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
• Family literacy: Family literacy: Family literacy refers to literacy practices that occur in the home, that include reading labels, newspapers, magazines, and books and writing lists, notes, and letters
• Family of procreation: Family of procreation: Family of procreation is defined as the family that develops when one marries and has children.
• Equalitarian family: An equalitarian family in the psychology context refers to a family structure in which both partners, typically the mother and father, share power, responsibilities, and decision-making equally
• Matriarchal family: Matriarchal family is a family in which the mother has formal authority and dominance.
• Natural Family Planning (NFP): Natural Family Planning (NFP) is defined as a contraceptive method that involves calculating ovulation and avoiding sexual intercourse during ovulation and at other unsafe times

Summary

Family is a crucial element in the field of psychology, as it plays a significant role in shaping individual behavior, attitudes, and emotions. The family unit serves as the primary source of socialization, shaping a person's values, beliefs, and identity. Family dynamics, communication patterns, and relationships within the family all have a profound impact on an individual's psychological well-being. Additionally, family systems theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of family members and how changes within the family structure can influence each member's mental health. Understanding and addressing family dynamics is essential in providing effective psychological interventions and promoting overall family functioning.

--