5-6pages paper

Levels of Couple & Family Dynamics

Table 1.1

COHESION

DISENGAGED CONNECTED COHESIVE ENMESHED

(Unbalanced) (Balanced) (Balanced) (Unbalanced)

Characteristic

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Separateness-togetherness High separateness More separateness More togetherness Very high

Than togetherness Than separateness

I-We balance Primarily I More I than We More We than I Primarily We

Closeness Little closeness Low to moderate Moderate to high Very high closeness

Closeness Closeness

Loyalty Lack of loyalty Some loyalty Considerable loyalty High loyalty

Activities Mainly Separate More separate More shared Mainly Shared

than shared than separate

Dependence-Independence High Independence More independence More dependence High dependence

than dependence than independence

FLEXIBILITY

RIGID STRUCTURED FLEXIBLE CHAOTIC

(Unbalanced) (Balanced) (Balanced) (Unbalanced)

Characteristic

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Leadership Authoritarian (high control) Sometimes Shared Often Shared Lack of Leadership

Discipline Strict Discipline Somewhat democratic Democratic Lenient Discipline

Negotiation Limited Discussion Organized Discussion Open Discussion Endless Discussion

Roles Roles Very Stable Roles Stable Role Sharing Dramatic Role Shifts

Rules Unchanging Rules Few Rule Changes Some Rule Changes Frequent Rule

Changes

Change Very Little Change Some Change Moderate Change Considerable

Change

Communication

POOR GOOD VERY GOOD

Characteristic

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Listening Skills Poor listening Skills Appear to listen but feedback Give feedback, indicating

Is limited good listening skills

Speaking Skills Often Speak for others Speak for self more than Speak mainly for self

Uses a lot of “you” statements for others rather than for others

Self-Disclosure Low sharing of feelings Moderate sharing of feelings High sharing of feelings

Clarity Inconsistent messages Clear Messages Very clear messages

Staying on Topic Seldom stay on topic Often stay on topic Mainly stay on topic

Respect & Regard Low to Moderate Moderate to High High

Reflecting good intentions Good intentions and

positive communication