Final answer:
It is true that in family therapy contexts, cognitive behavior therapists focus on family schemas as a part of their therapeutic approach, recognizing their impact on family dynamics and individual behaviors within the family unit.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a family therapy context, it is true that cognitive behavior therapists are particularly interested in family schema. Family schemas involve clusters of related concepts that help individuals understand and navigate family dynamics efficiently. These schemas represent routines of thought and behavior that are essential for functioning properly in various family situations without needing to deliberate on each action. Cognitive-behavioral therapists take these cognitive processes into account, along with behaviors, when providing psychotherapy, as they realize these schemas deeply influence individual and family behaviors, interactions, and overall well-being.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in a family context understands that family roles and relationships are influenced by schemas, which can be modified to improve communication and resolve conflicts. The approach to therapy would involve identifying problematic schemas and working on altering them to reduce dysfunctional family behaviors and improve emotional and social health.
Given that families are social constructs subject to the ebb and flow of social norms and changing meanings, as indicated by symbolic interactionism, and they perform vital roles for individuals and society, as seen in the functionalist perspective, CBT therapists may target these constructs during interventions. Schemas can change as family structures evolve and as society's views on what constitutes acceptable behavior within a family change, showcasing the dynamic nature of family schemas in therapy.