Family Environment and Social Skill 5
Human systems can be self-reflexive, meaning that the family system possesses “the
ability to make themselves and their own behavior the object of examination and the target of
explanation” (Whitchurch & Constantine, 1993, p. 329). In essence, this property of self-
reflexivity is created as a result of human communication. This self-reflexivity demands that the
system have requisite variety or a repertoire of sufficient variety of responses to handle all that it
encounters.
Additional family systems theory concepts that will be considered in this paper include:
adaptation, openness, interdependence, mutual influence, patterns and rules. Adaptation implies
that families are often required to change and restructure themselves in an effort to cope with
developmental and situational demands upon the system (Olson, 1993). It is important to note
that while flexibility and the ability to adapt to circumstances are often viewed as positive,
constant change is not always functional (Olson, 1993). The concept of openness refers to the
degree to which the system permits interchange with the surrounding environment (Whitchurch
& Constantine, 1983). Ideally, family systems need interaction with elements and people in the
environment at large. This enables the members of a family system sustenance physically,
emotionally, and psychologically.
Interdependence encompasses the idea that the members or elements of a system are
interrelated or interfaced with one another (Whitchurch & Constantine, 1983). Family members
are so intertwined as to be dependent on each other for ideal functioning. This interdependence is
manifest in the family cohesion of the system. Another common characteristic of the family
systems theoretical approach is the idea that systems have patterns and rules (Broderick, 1993).
Most family systems have regularity and predictability. As a result of this regularity, patterns
develop over time within the system, often through the use of implicit and explicit rules.
Convention