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Second-Order Cybernetics in Family Systems Theory

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Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy

Name of Concept

Second Order Cybernetics in Family Systems Theory

Synonyms

Cybernetics of Cybernetics*; New Cybernetics

Introduction

Second-order cybernetics (also known as the Cybernetics of Cybernetics* and the New Cybernetics*) is a philosophy of communication and growth that acknowledges the recursive nature of relationships and interpersonal influence (Atkinson and Heath 1990). Second-order cybernetics holds that those who observe systems, such as family therapists, cannot be separated from the systems with which they observe and are thus constantly helping to shape reality for all members.

Theoretical Context for Concept

Second-order cybernetics considers (rather than ignores) the observer, studying observing as opposed to observed systems. A consequence is that all knowledge is seen as dependent on the observer involvement. The observer contributes and, since it is impossible to access what we observe without being an observer, that which is observed is unclear. Is there an...

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References

  • Atkinson, B. J., & Heath, A. W. (1990). Further thoughts on second-order family therapy: This time it’s personal. Family Process, 29, 145–155.

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  • Hoffman, L. (1985). Beyond power and control: Toward a “second order” family systems therapy. Family Systems Medicine, 3(4), 381–396.

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  • Howe, R., & von Foerster, H. (1974). Cybernetics at Illinois. Forum, 6, 15–17.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

    Miranda Smith & Eli Karam

Authors
  1. Miranda Smith
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  2. Eli Karam
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eli Karam .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Family Institute at Northwestern, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Jay Lebow

  2. The Family Institute at Northwestern, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Anthony Chambers

  3. The Family Institute at Northwestern, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Douglas C. Breunlin

Section Editor information

  1. The Family Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Douglas C. Breunlin

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Smith, M., Karam, E. (2018). Second-Order Cybernetics in Family Systems Theory. In: Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Breunlin, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_308-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_308-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15877-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15877-8

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