In family therapy, homeostasis refers to...

• A. Maintaining a stable state that may be dysfunctional
• B. Eliminating all change in the family system
• C. Creating constant chaos
• D. Focusing on one member's needs

Answer: (C)

Homeostasis in family therapy is the family's tendency to maintain a stable, predictable pattern of interactions and roles, even when that pattern is dysfunctional. When something within the family shifts, members subconsciously adjust their behavior to restore the prior balance, keeping the system steady despite underlying problems. That’s why the best description is maintaining a stable state that may be dysfunctional—because the aim is to preserve the existing interaction pattern, not to eliminate change or create chaos. The idea that change should be completely avoided or that chaos should be produced doesn’t fit, and focusing on one member’s needs describes a different dynamic rather than the system-wide balancing act that homeostasis conveys.