INTRODUCTION

Paul Watzlawick
Interpretive Theory

Family as a system

Relationship as a mathematic equation

INTERPRETIVE

New understanding of people

Identifying members unique rules of interaction

Clarification of values
Shows family values, as well as individual values

Aesthetic appeal

Community of agreement
If there is a community of scholars who agree with the view

Reform of Society
Generated change within the family unit (r

Qualitative research
Each family is different and their struggles and dynamics are different

THE FOUR AXIOMS

One cannot not communicate

Communication= Content + Relationship

Communication Sequence

Symmetrical or Complementary

TRAPPED WITH NO PLACE TO GO

Family systems are resistant to change

Especially with addiction in the family system

Three types of people

Enabler
Deny-er
The Hero

The more things change the more they stay the same

REFRAMING
-the process of change by stepping outside the situation
and reinterpret what it means
Three Steps

-Intervention
-Identification
-Throw away old frame

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

-non verbal communication is no always communication
-one cannot not communicate is not completely valid
-This is not a cause and effect relationship, there are any causes that can
change the chain of events.
-An insight to real life relationships
-Caused scholars to look beyond narrow cause and effect relationships