Family Systems Theory
Volume 2. Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Martha Morrison Dore,
Martha Morrison Dore
The Guidance Center, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
Search for more papers by this authorMartha Morrison Dore,
Martha Morrison Dore
The Guidance Center, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
This chapter looks at the development of family theory in the United States during the 20th century, culminating in the adaptation of general systems theory in the 1950s and 1960s. It then presents an overview of family systems theory, the dominant contemporary paradigm for informing understanding and interpretation of the psychosocial functioning of individuals in society. The chapter traces the development of this theory and its basic theoretical concepts and principles. Its application in assessment and intervention are discussed, as is its current empirical support. Finally, the chapter closes with recent critiques of this theory, including those that question its gendered perspective and failure to incorporate a range of racial and cultural perspectives on family structure and dynamics.
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