AMFTRB Exam Questions And Answers With Real
Study Solutions
Psuedomutality ANS describes a systemic pretense of harmony and closeness that hides conflict
and interferes with intimacy (Lyman Wynne, 1940s)
Psuedohostility ANS Arguing and bickering that hide "pathological alignments" in families
A volatile and intense way of disguising and distorting both affection and splits
Prevents open communication and quality relationships (Lyman Wynne, 1940s)
Rubber-Fence Boundary ANS Families are seemingly yielding, but are in fact nearly
impermeable to information from the outside; boundaries bind them together in their resistance to
separation" Appear open and flexible but are closed. (Lyman Wynne, 1940s)
John Bowlby ANS Attachment theory. Identified the characteristics of a child's attachment to
his/her caregiver and the phases that a child experiences when separated from the caregiver.
Different attachment styles (Bowlby, 1949) ANS - Secure Attachment
- Insecure Attachment (Anxious-Avoidant)
- Insecure Attachment (Ambivalent-Resistant)
- Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment
Theodore Lidz ANS Professor out of Yale, researched schizophrenia and the marital couple's
influence on the development of schizophrenia in a child (1950s)
-Marital Schism: Parents overly focused on their own problems which harms the marriage,
individuals, and the children.
-Marital Skew: One parent dominates the family and the other is dependent.
"Family process" (peer-reviewed journal) ANS Founded by Don Jackson and Nathan Ackerman,
edited by Jay Haley (1962)
,Mental Research Institute (MRI) ANS MRI; Mental Research Institute A center for the study of
families in Palo, Alto, CA whose researchers and practioners- Bateson, Jackson, Satir, Weakland, Fry,
and Haley studied schizophrenia and family interactions, communication, and cybernetic theory.
They emphasized process and interactional sequences rather than structure, and distinguished
between first-order and second-order change. They developed a version of Brief Family Therapy
based on the notion that the "problem" or tx focus, stems from the failed solution previously
attempted by the family.
Norbert Wiener ANS Coined the term and theory "cybernetics"
General Systems Theory ANS living systems are like cybernetic systems that are equipped w/
complex feed systems capable of maintaining a desired state of affairs (i.e. homeostasis) → leads to
Bowlby's system of behavior control
Double bind theory ANS distinct pattern of communication in which one individual receives
contradictory commands from which there is no escape (lose, lose situation)
6 characteristic of a double bind ANS 1) Communication involves 2 or more people who are
involved in an important emotional relationship.
2) The pattern of communication and the relationship is a repeated experience.
3) The communication involves a primary negative injunction--or a command not to do (some act) or
not to NOT do (some act), either of which come with a threat of punishment.
4) A second abstract injunction is given that contradicts the primary injunction but at a more abstract
level and is usually nonverbal. This also occurs under the threat of punishment.
5) A third negative injunction both demands a response and prevents escape, effectively binding the
recipient to the environment in which these patterns exist.
6) When the above double bind messages have been communicated enough times, the individual has
become conditioned which no longer requires all of the above mentioned criteria to be present in
order to elicit the same intensity in response (panic, rage, schizophrenia).
Bertrand Russell ANS Theory of Logical Types
Ludwig von Bertalanffy ANS General Systems Theory
,Milton Erickson ANS Hypnosis and paradox
Gregory Bateson ANS Human Communication Processes (influenced by Russell, Von
Bertalanffy, Wiener, Erickson)
MRI Systemic Therapy ANS
Strategic Family Therapy ANS Jay Haley
Emphasizes change techniques over theory. Influenced by Milton Erickson
Therapist is very directive, especially useful with change-resistant families
Techniques: Take charge role, directives, paradoxical directives, ordeals, out-positioning, reframing
Milan Systemic Family Therapy ANS A theory and therapeutic model influenced by Bateson and
the MRI Group, originally developed in Italy by Selvini Palazzoli, Boscolo, Cecchin, and Prata. The
primary techniques associated with the early Milan group were rituals and positive connotations. The
Milan Group split in the early 1980s with Selvini Palazzoli and Prata forming one group, adhering to
the strategic model and developing a ritualistic technique, invariant prescription, to counteract the
dirty game, or power struggle between the parents and their child. Boscolo and Cecchin moved away
from the strategic approach, developing a collaborative style of therapy. In this model, problems are
maintained when the family holds to an old epistemology that does not fit its current circumstance.
The therapist introduces new information indirectly by asking questions and the family solves
problems themselves as they develop a new epistemology. The therapist/client interactions within the
session are the treatment. In their interviews they displayed a curious attitude about the family and
the meanings they derived from their experiences and interchanges.
General Systems Theory definition ANS GST proposed that all living systems share universal
characteristics. Fundamental principle is idea that the whole of the system is more than the sum of its
parts. To understand the system as a whole, must understand the dynamic, circular functioning
between the parts.
Cybernetics ANS the study of information processing, feedback, and control in communication
systems
, Boundaries ANS theoretical lines of demarcation in a family that define a system as an entity and
separate the subsystems from one another and the system from its environment.
Boundary Interface ANS The regions between each subsystem of the family and between the
family and the supra-system. In family systems therapy this interface is referred to as the familial
boundary.
Familial Boundary ANS the term used to represent the concept of Boundary Interface within
literature of FT
Open systems ANS interact regularly with the environment with relatively no inhibition
Jay Haley ANS Strategic Family Therapy
founding editor of 1st journal in family therapy
schism (Theodore Lidz) ANS family division into competing groups
Adlerian Family Therapy ANS An approach that is based on the premise that parents and
children often become locked in repetitive, negative interactions based on mistaken goals that
motivate all parties involved.
"stuck family" (Adlerian) ANS parents assume roles based on their expectations of the children
strength of Bowen Family Therapy ANS attention upon past family interaction as a means by
which to avoid future problems
Hermeneutics ANS the interpretation of meaning
CBT Therapy is also known as... ANS "reality therapy"