What does positive feedback do in a family system?

In a family system, positive feedback is a mechanism that amplifies or reinforces changes and deviations within that system. When applied, positive feedback surfaces when a change occurs, leading to more significant shifts, rather than maintaining stability or balance. The role of positive feedback is to propel a system out of its current state, potentially leading to new patterns of behavior or family dynamics.

For instance, if a family member starts to express their feelings more openly, this change may encourage others to do the same, leading to a broader transformation in communication styles within the family. This dynamic underscores how positive feedback encourages change, ultimately moving the system toward a new equilibrium rather than preserving the existing one.

In contrast, maintaining stability and creating balance would typically be more associated with negative feedback mechanisms. Negative feedback works to correct deviations and restore homeostasis. Thus, while positive feedback is influential in prompting changes, it does not promote homeostasis but rather increases the likelihood of further growth or shifts within the family dynamics.