“I have spent almost three decades on clinical research in psychotherapy. A major part of my effort has gone toward clarifying theory and also toward developing therapeutic approaches consistent with the theory. I did this in the belief it would add to knowledge and provide better structure for research. A secondary gain has been an improvement in the predictability and outcome of therapy as the therapeutic method has come into closer proximity with the theory.”
-Murray Bowen, M.D.
The Importance of Research
This quote from Dr. Bowen's book, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, illustrates the interdependence of theory, research and therapy. At Living Systems, research continues to be important to every part of our mission. Therapists employ a research attitude in their clinical work with families. As systems therapists, we develop working hypotheses, derived from theory, about the relevant variables that create problems for families. In the early stages of therapy, clients assist with the formulation of these working hypotheses which clients proceed to examine on the basis of their own observations and inquiry into family patterns. As evidence accumulates that a hypothesis is accurate, the working hypothesis provides a direction for therapy. When the evidence appears not to support the hypothesis, it is revised and new hypotheses are then examined for their accuracy. A research attitude thus weaves theory and therapy together.
The cultivation of a research attitude and the opportunity to do research based on systems thinking is integral to the Post-Graduate Training Program at Living Systems. Interns conduct small research projects each year of the program. One such project studied variables that appeared to affect the ability of Taiwanese families to adjust successfully to Canada. Another small study looked at variation in how young women separated from their families and what variables seemed to account for the differences in outcome. Other interns have studied multigenerational emotional process in their own families. There are significant differences in research based on systems thinking and conventional research in the social sciences. An important goal of the training program is to give students a structured opportunity to "think systems" about research in an area of personal interest.
An Open Theory
Bowen theory is a theory intentionally kept open to include new knowledge from the natural sciences. Accordingly, conferences sponsored by Living Systems often combine an expert in Bowen theory with scientists whose research is uncovering new facts about human behavior. Recent speakers have included Dr. John Gottman, who is renowned for his study of marital functioning and his ability to predict divorce; Dr. Steve Suomi, who looks at social factors that influence the psychological development of primates; and Dr. Jerome Kagan of Harvard University, who explores the interaction of temperament with family functioning. Thus, research from the natural sciences contributes to the ongoing development of Bowen theory while informing training and therapy as well.
Living Systems also seeks to conduct its own research, testing hypotheses derived from Bowen theory. One area of current interest is to study the physiological reciprocity among family members by hooking entire families to biofeedback equipment and monitoring the emotional process of families in real time. This idea builds on the work of John Gottman with couples. Another project in its early stages is to develop a model to predict outcome in systems therapy.
Our Mission
The mission of Living Systems is to contribute to the knowledge of human behavior from a natural systems perspective as well as to apply that knowledge through the provision of counselling, training and education for interested members of the community. This mission envisions the gradual development of a network of clinician-scientists using Bowen theory to contribute to new knowledge about human functioning. Although Bowen theory and therapy have been used for more than 40 years, more formal research is needed to test the accuracy of the theory and to document the value of its clinical applications. A research goal at Living Systems is to make our own contributions toward a science of human behavior.
More on Research
For an example of how Bowen theory can lead to research hypotheses guided by systems thinking, read Randy Frost's paper entitled, Thinking Systems about the Placebo Effect.
Other resources on systems research