Which concept argues that problems arise from patterns of interaction within the family system?

• A. Family Systems Theory
• B. Structural Theory
• C. Psychodynamic Therapy
• D. Behavior Therapy

Answer: (A)

Patterns of interaction within the family create the dynamics that produce and maintain problems. Family Systems Theory treats the family as an interconnected unit, where how members communicate, the roles they take, and the rules they follow shape each person's behavior. When these interaction patterns become rigid or repetitive, symptoms can emerge as reflections of the system, and shifting those patterns can improve overall functioning. The other approaches focus on different ideas: Structural Theory emphasizes how the family is organized and where boundaries lie; psychodynamic therapy looks at unconscious processes and past experiences; behavior therapy centers on changing observable actions and reinforcement rather than the relational patterns across the family.