CYBERNETIC PATTERNS IN FAMILY THERAPY: A BATESONIAN EPISTEMOLOGY

BRADFORD POWELL KEENEY, Purdue University

Abstract

This investigation sets forth the basic ideas of cybernetics as an alternative form of describing and explaining family therapy. The term "Batesonian epistemology," is used as a metaphor for this orientation since Bateson pioneered the application of cybernetic ideas to social science. Previous efforts of family therapists to connect with cybernetic thinking are argued as too short-sighted, missing the more important ecological perspective. The purpose of this work is to correct and expand the range of those cybernetic ideas which are applicable to family therapy. The first two chapters present a base for understanding the meaning of cybernetic epistemology. An initial discussion of epistemology includes a specification of G. Spencer Brown's paradigmatic work with the "laws of form" and Gregory Bateson's epistemological tools of "punctuation," "logical typing" and "double description." With these notions, the criteria for cybernetic epistemology are carefully laid out. The description of cybernetic epistemology begins by defining how it focuses solely on issues and language of pattern and form, i.e., what is technically called "mechanicism." With this view, cybernetics builds on the fundamental idea of a cybernetic circuit or circular organization of events with feedback structure. The building up of simple cybernetic circuits into more complex levels of circuitry and feedback leads to what has been called "second-order cybernetics." Accordingly, this work differentiates first and second-order cybernetics, noting that they represent reductionist and holist levels, respectively. In sum, the former is a "black box model" which presupposes an observer-manipulator to be outside of the system being treated. In contrast, second-order cybernetics reinstates the therapist as part and parcel of the cybernetic circuit and disallows any view of unilateral control. It is argued that both views are necessary and complementary. With this foundation of cybernetic epistemology, a cybernetic description of family therapy is elucidated. At first, "components" of therapy, including system, pathology, health, therapist and ecology, are characterized through the lens of cybernetics. These exemplifications are then followed by an examination of the contexts of change in therapy. Here the process of therapy is depicted as a sociofeedback loop where the therapist and family become parts of a recursive feedback mechanism. Several key arguments of this discussion include the idea that change and stability are a complementary gestalt, learning and change are multi-leveled, connection to unconscious process is vital in therapy and the systematic organization of a therapist must be taken into account. Finally, an aesthetic base for family therapy is presented. An aesthetic base for planning action in therapy helps avoid what Bateson termed the "pathologies of conscious purpose." A focus on "art" rather than "craft" leads to an awareness that therapy is a vehicle for changing the client as well as therapist. The investigation closes with an account of one of Bateson's last efforts to steer the field toward a more aesthetic direction.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Psychotherapy

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