What is the term for assessing a family’s structure and patterns to understand system dynamics?

• A. Genogram or family systems assessment
• B. Case history
• C. Family tree analysis
• D. Structural map

Answer: (C)

Genograms map family structure and patterns across generations to understand how family dynamics operate. This tool goes beyond listing relatives; it records relationships, roles, boundaries, alliances, and recurring health or behavioral patterns to reveal how current functioning is shaped by family interactions. That focus on systemic functioning is why the term genogram (often used within a family systems assessment) fits best for assessing how a family’s structure and patterns influence dynamics. In contrast, a generic family tree highlights lineage, not relational patterns; case history is an intake narrative, and a structural map isn’t the standard term used to capture these dynamics.