What is the Differentiation process?

What is the differentiation process? To answer this question, I will first talk about Murray Bowen, a psychiatrist and also a pioneer in systemic family therapy. He is the author of the Systemic Family Theory and the creator of the Genogram or Family Map.

The Genogram is a dynamic tool that allows to have a vision of how a family is structured at a given moment, as well as the ways of relating to it, taking into account at least three generations. With this multigenerational perspective, it is considered that, in order to know the current family system, it is necessary to know the historical evolution of the families of origin of each member of the system; that is, to know the individual history of the person, that of her parents and the relational patterns of these with their own parents.

Systemic Family Theory

Bowen conceived of the family as a system; therefore, if a member of the system changes, it will result in a change in another member of the system. In his theory, he talks about superficial changes - those transitory ones that can decrease the symptom momentarily - and deep changes - those that they need an effort from each one, they are long-term and have the consequence of generating new relationship patterns, allowing the individual a better definition of itself.

The Systemic Family Theory raises eight concepts. Let's see what they are.

1. triangles

Bowen considers this It is the basis of the emotional system, since it is the smallest relationship unit. For Bowen, an emotional system of two people (dyad) is unstable, because when faced with a symptom it can be disturbed.

However, if a third person enters, this symptom can be counteracted. To understand it better, I will give an example from everyday life: before a discussion between two friends (A and B). A instead of facing it and telling B what she feels and finding a solution between them, includes a third party (C) to the one who tells what has happened and how hurt he feels (creating an alliance between the two A's and C). What is achieved with this, more than solving the problem, is aggravating it, since they do not face it directly with the person who has hurt them.

The level of intensity in triangulation varies between families and within the same family over time. The lower the level of differentiation in a family, the more important role triangulation will have in protecting emotional stability. On the contrary, if individuals maintained their emotional autonomy, triangulation would be minimal, and the stability of the family system would not depend on this (Kerr and Bowen, 1988).

• Related article: "Family therapy: types and forms of application"

2. Emotional system of the nuclear family

It refers to how the emotional process between parents and children works, which may have been learned and tend to be perpetuated in subsequent generations.

3. projection process

It is a process by which parents transmit their emotional difficulties to their children. According to Bowen, this process is the most common way in which we transmit emotional processes from generation to generation.

The level of differentiation and the anxiety resulting from little differentiated functioning are the most important aspects in this process, since, as explained before, families use different ways of coping with anxiety, so if anxiety is too high or projection is the pattern that runs in a family, the Its functioning can be sustained by overloading the children with anxiety, who can be seriously affected, even developing symptoms chronic (Bowen, 1960; Kerr and Bowen, 1988).

4. Fraternal system: position of the brothers

This concept is related to how the position of children influences their development and personality characteristics.

• You may be interested in: "Sibling Rivalry: Possible Causes and What to Do From Parenting"

5. Multigenerational transmission process

This concept is related to how the emotional process is transmitted through the generations, which is why it is related to the concept of family projection.

6. emotional cut

It refers to how the members of the system deal with emotional conflicts that have not been resolved with other member(s) of the system: reducing emotional contact or “cutting it off” altogether.

• Related article: "Are we rational or emotional beings?"

7. societal regression

With this concept, Bowen refers to how one's own emotional processes also influence the rest of society. This postulates that if we take responsibility for our own self, we will be able to be attentive to our responsibility before society.

8. differentiation of the self

The last of the concepts of his theory is the differentiation of the self. This concept refers to how each individual realizes their own emotional processes, being different from those of others. It is about advancing and becoming individual and autonomous beings on an emotional level, that is, it is a long-term process by which we disassociate ourselves from our parents until we achieve our own autonomy.

If you feel that you are dependent on a member or members of your family, it is possible that the differentiation process mentioned has not been correctly completed. In PsychoAlmería We are specialist psychologists, and we can help you in a personalized way to achieve your emotional independence.