GENOGRAM PROJECT
Objectives
The goals of this project are for students to learn to complete a genogram as a tool for assessment and intervention with families, and to apply one of the main theories from this course to the family in your genogram. Note this is an analysis/assessment assignment, not a reflection paper.
Materials Required
You will find some useful guides and templates at the following sites:
Free Download Editable Genogram Examples. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.edrawsoft.com/genogram/genogram-examples.php
Standard Genogram Symbols – Genogram Analytics. (2008). Retrieved from https://www.genogramanalytics.com/genogram_symbols.html
Description
A minimum of two previous generations. This means the genogram must have at least three generations: The index person
Remember to place each generation on more or less the same level, horizontally. All members of the parents’ generation should be on the same level as one another, a tier above the index person’s generation; and all members of the grandparents’ generation should be on the same level as one another, horizontally, one tier above the parents’ generation, at the top of the page.
Genogram Project Part 2: Analysis
Based on your Genogram Drawing, write a paper about your interpretation following the outline below (the body of your paper, not including title page, etc., should be 10-15 typed, double-spaced pages):
Section 1: Background. Briefly describe the family in narrative form, beginning with the index person (if you are the index person, please use the first person “I”).
Discuss the cultural and socioeconomic issues facing the family, major events or turning points that affected the family, and any other factors that might be useful in understanding the present-day situation for the index person.
Section 2: Analysis. Discuss your analysis of the genogram. In particular:
What intergenerational patterns, dynamics, and/or themes have you identified that influence you (or the index person) or others in the family? This analysis should be seen through the lens of one of the major theories covered in this course (e.g., Bowen’s 8 interlocking ideas or Minuchin’s structural theory).
How have cultural factors in this family affected the index person and the family system as a whole? How has this been similar or different, across different generations?
Note that this section of the paper is really the heart of the written genogram analysis.
In Section 1, just provide enough of the story to support and expand upon your observations in Section 2.
Section 2 is really the main focal point of the assignment, as it is the section where you analyze patterns and tie these to a major theory from the course.
Highlight analysis over self-reflection.
Please support your analysis with appropriate literature and evidence (properly cited using APA format).
Section 3: Reflection.
Discuss your reflections on the process of completing this assignment. What did it mean to you? What did you learn?
Writing quality, including grammar and spelling, WILL count toward the final grade. Therefore, proofreading is strongly encouraged.
Many students who complete a personal genogram are emotionally affected by this experience.
Although it is a good learning exercise, it can also trigger thoughts and feelings which may be unexpected or difficult. Please feel free to message/email me privately in the process of completing this assignment if you need further clarification or to discuss your experience in doing this project. Messages will be responded to within 24 hours.