What does the Milan Systemic Family Therapy mainly assume about family interactions?

The primary assumption of the Milan Systemic Family Therapy is that family interactions are characterized by circular patterns of action and reaction. This perspective emphasizes that the behavior of one family member influences and is influenced by the behaviors of others, highlighting the interconnected nature of family dynamics. Instead of viewing problems as stemming from individuals in isolation, this approach focuses on the interactions and relationships within the family system.

In this context, these circular patterns suggest there is a continuous feedback loop among family members, where each person's behavior can reinforce or alter the behavior of others. This understanding allows therapists to address not just the symptomatic individual, but the entire family dynamic, making it clear that issues arise not from isolated behaviors but from the relational system as a whole.

The other choices do not align with the core principles of Milan Systemic Family Therapy. For instance, the idea that family members are independent contradicts the foundational belief in the interconnectedness of family dynamics. Similarly, positing that maladaptive behaviors are solely individual issues overlooks the systemic approach to understanding family interactions. Lastly, while family systems do strive for balance, the focus on specific patterns of behavior and communication is more central to the Milan model than the notion of equilibrium alone.