The nurse-therapist is counseling the Smith family: Mr. and Mrs. Smith, 10-year-old Rob, and 8-year-old Lisa. When Mr. and Mrs. Smith start to argue, Rob hits Lisa and Lisa starts to cry. The Smiths then turn their attention to comforting Lisa and scolding Rob, complaining that he is 'out of control and we don’t know what to do about his behavior.' These dynamics are an example of which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Triangulation. Triangulation occurs when a third party (in this case, the children) is brought into a conflict between two other parties (Mr. and Mrs. Smith). In this situation, the parents' argument has led to the children being drawn into the conflict, with Rob hitting Lisa. The parents then focus on the children, shifting attention away from their own issues. This behavior creates a dysfunctional dynamic within the family.
A: Double-bind messages refer to contradictory communication that causes confusion and emotional distress. This is not evident in the given scenario.
C: Pseudohostility involves expressing anger indirectly. While there may be some hostility in the family dynamics, it is not the primary issue at play.
D: Multigenerational transmission relates to the passing down of behaviors and beliefs through generations, which is not explicitly demonstrated in this scenario.