Ordinary People Systems Theory Paper

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Turner and West define systems theory as an approach used to analyze family communication through shared characteristics and recurring patterns, that predict family behaviors and explain possible explanations (2013). The film, Ordinary People illustrates the significance of systems theory through the interactions the family members engage in, as they cope with the loss of a child. The distinct components of systems theory can be recognized through the various scenes in Ordinary People as the behaviors of the family are influenced by a series of events.
In the film, Ordinary People, interdependence is acknowledged through the way one’s behavior can impact the behavior of other family members. Turner and West understand interdependence as a unit that ties members together (2013). Ordinary People interpret interdependence by demonstrating how “the disturbance of one member will reverberate the entire family” (Turner and West, 2013, p. 69). Interdependence is shown in Ordinary People through the way the family members handle Conrad’s mental problem. The family communication patterns centered around the behavior of Conrad explain interdependence as an ongoing cycle of behaviors. After his attempt at suicide, the family communication was strongly impacted. Conrad’s mother, Beth, struggled throughout the movie to maintain a good relationship with her son, which can be acknowledged through their communication with each other. Beth continuously maintained the family …show more content…
Systems theory views the family as a whole, which allows for us to interpret the communication behaviors between, Calvin, Beth and Conrad. Interdependence and boundaries and openness, are two important properties of systems theory that reflect the family communication behaviors in Ordinary People, however additional ideas can also be interpreted as
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