Question 1

Although there has been less systematic research on the outcomes of strategic, Milan, or MRI, there is growing research on the effectiveness of evidenced-based systemic approaches for each of the following specific conditions EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although there has been less systematic research...

Question 2

When a Milan therapist requests that the family not change, even though they have come in for change, the therapist is using what technique?

Accepted Answer

Counterparadox is a technique where the therapist instructs the family to stay the same or even exaggerate their problematic behavior. This approach aims to disrupt the family's usual patterns and provoke change by using the paradox of asking for no change.

Question 3

Which of the following represent major propositions of systemic reframing according to MRI theorists?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following represent major propositions...

Question 4

A therapist asks, "After Jenny got sad, what did Mom and Susie do next? What did Dad do? What did your grandma do?" After the responses, the therapist asks, "What did Jenny do next?" These are examples of what type of circular questions?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral sequence questions focus on the sequence of behaviors or events within a family or system, aiming to understand the dynamics and interactions among members by exploring what happens after a specific event or action.

Question 5

"A teen's sneaking-out behavior may serve to bring the parents closer together; without the child's 'problem,' the parents may not come together." This statement, made by a Milan therapist, is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of hypothesizing, where the therapist is making an educated guess or forming a theory about why a teen's behavior might be serving a particular function within the family dynamic, in this case, potentially bringing the parents closer together.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the adaptability of systemic and strategic family therapies when working with various cultural groups?

Accepted Answer

Systemic and strategic family therapies are adaptable because they focus on creating specific therapeutic plans tailored to each problem, allowing for flexibility in addressing the needs of diverse cultural groups. This approach does not inherently exclude any patient based on culture or ethnicity, making it suitable for a wide range of patients.

Question 7

Irreverence clearly demonstrates the therapist's relationship with the problem, not the client. How is this demonstrated by the therapist?

Accepted Answer

The therapist's confident and un-panicked response to the problem shows irreverence by focusing on the problem itself rather than the client, indicating a professional detachment and a strategic approach to addressing the issue.

Question 8

A therapist asks, "Who is the most upset when Jenny has a crying spell? Who is the least affected? Who is the most helpful when Jenny is upset? Who is the least helpful?" These are examples of what type of circular questions?

Accepted Answer

These questions are examples of comparison ranking questions because they ask the respondent to compare and rank different family members' reactions and behaviors in response to a specific situation, in this case, Jenny's crying spells.

Question 9

A Milan therapist interprets the behavior of each member of the family positively and as having an underlying benevolent motivation. This is known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Milan approach to family therapy involves interpreting each family member's behavior in a positive light, assuming benevolent motivations behind their actions. This technique is known as giving a "positive connotation" to behaviors, and since it is part of the Milan systemic family therapy approach, it is also referred to as a "Milan-style reframe."

Question 10

When Milan therapists are assessing the family games, they are:

Accepted Answer

Milan therapists focus on understanding the unconscious relational rules that govern family interactions, which are often referred to as "family games."

Question 11

Milan therapists are not interested in the best or most accurate description, but rather how the multiple stories fit together-the pattern that connects. This means the therapist has a stance of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Milan therapists adopt a stance of curiosity, focusing on understanding how different stories and perspectives interconnect rather than seeking a single accurate description.

Question 12

What kind of circular questions are the following: "If Grandma were to suddenly lose her job, who would be the most likely person to support her? Who would be the least likely?"

Accepted Answer

These questions are hypothetical because they ask the respondent to consider a situation that has not occurred ("If Grandma were to suddenly lose her job") and to think about the outcomes or reactions to that situation. They are circular because they loop back to the personal or social network of the individual in question, asking for an evaluation within that context.

Question 13

A hypothesis usually defines the role of the symptom in maintaining the family's homeostasis. Which of the following are NOT common types of hypotheses identified by the Milan team?

Accepted Answer

Hypotheses that analyze homeostasis are not typically identified by the Milan team as a common type of hypothesis. The Milan approach focuses on understanding family dynamics through communication patterns, myths, premises, and alliances, rather than directly analyzing homeostasis.

Question 14

In the Milan approach, the therapeutic stance is one of neutrality. Which of the following is NOT a correct explanation of neutrality from the Milan perspective?

Accepted Answer

Neutrality in the Milan approach involves being nonpartial and multipartial, and not becoming attached to specific outcomes, but it does not mean never taking sides. The approach allows for the therapist to engage with different perspectives without favoring one over the other, but this does not equate to a complete absence of engagement or siding with a perspective when it facilitates therapeutic goals.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is FALSE about the goals of health in Milan therapy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements is FALSE...

Question 16

A critical component of Milan therapy is for the therapist to actively monitor their influence on the client system. This is grounded in which philosophical stance?

Accepted Answer

Second-order cybernetics emphasizes the observer's role in the system they are observing, which aligns with the Milan therapy approach of therapists monitoring their influence on the client system.

Question 17

Multisystemic family therapy, an evidence-based treatment developed to treat serious juvenile offenders, places emphasis on each of the following during the adolescent's treatment EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Multisystemic family therapy focuses on changing the youth's environment to improve their behavior, rather than using punitive measures like imprisonment. It aims to remove the youth from negative influences, improve their performance in school, and build a supportive network, rather than incarcerating them.

Question 18

Zena is a first-year therapist using the Milan approach. She is working with a family in which the only child and the stay-at-home father have a very close bond or covert coalition. Zena instructs the parents to arrange to go on a date and not tell the child where they are going. This creates a secret between the parents to hopefully end the inappropriate coalition between the father and child. What type of intervention did Zena use?

Accepted Answer

Zena used an invariant prescription, a specific technique in the Milan systemic therapy approach, which involves giving families a directive that is meant to disrupt unhelpful patterns or coalitions within the family system. In this case, creating a secret between the parents is aimed at disrupting the inappropriate coalition between the father and child.

Question 19

Circular questions are useful for which of the following purposes?

Accepted Answer

Circular questions are designed to reveal the dynamics and interactive patterns within a system, such as a family or a team, by exploring how each member perceives and reacts to the behavior of others.

Question 20

Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the overarching focus of Milan therapy?

Accepted Answer

Milan therapy, a form of systemic family therapy, emphasizes generating new meanings and distinctions within the family system. This approach aims to change the repetitive and unhelpful interaction patterns ("games") by introducing new perspectives and understandings, rather than directly fixing or correcting interactions or focusing primarily on reducing disturbances.

Quiz 4: Systemic and Strategic Therapies