Looking at Marriage: Seeing One’s Own Part

Post Date September 18, 2018
Comments 0 Comments
Author
Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Differentiation of Self, Emotional Triangles, Family Emotional Process, Stephanie Ferrera

The husband had a way of erupting emotionally that led his wife to call him “the volcano.” He pursued; she distanced; he pursued more rigorously. Her way of retreating, seemingly impervious to his needs, led him to call her “the sphinx.” At times of high stress, this pattern left this truly devoted couple in considerable distress, he feeling shut out, she feeling pressured. They found their own language—volcano, sphinx—as a step to observing their reciprocal functioning and eventually to seeing the absurdity and humor in it.

Read More »

Pinned Down In a One Up Position: The Nature of Reciprocity

Post Date May 8, 2018
Comments 0 Comments
Author
Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Differentiation of Self, Peg Donley

Authored by Peg Donley, L.S.C.S.W.

Murray Bowen often used the expression, “Pinned down in a one up position” to describe the nature of relationship reciprocity.  The phrase is consistent with a central idea in Bowen theory, mainly that individuals within a system are mutually influencing the functioning of others in subtle, yet powerful ways. This process is based on the sensitivity inherent in social relationships and the way interdependency takes shape between individuals within a group.

Reciprocity in relationships is an example of a universal process that …

Read More »