Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

What concept describes a response to conflict that keeps the focus on a third party?

1. Deviations

2. Detouring

3. Directive tasks

4. Differentiation of self

The correct answer is: Detouring

The concept that describes a response to conflict which keeps the focus on a third party is detouring. This occurs when individuals in conflict avoid addressing their own issues or the issues directly between them, instead redirecting the focus onto someone else. This can happen in family therapy when family members may bring in another person into the conversation as a way to distract from the primary conflict. By doing so, the original issues remain unresolved, as the attention is shifted away from the two individuals who are actually in conflict. In family therapy, detouring can manifest in various ways, such as a parent and child focusing their disputes on a spouse's behavior instead of their own relationship dynamics. This indirect approach to conflict is often indicative of deeper relational patterns that need to be addressed to achieve healthier communication and resolution. Understanding detouring is crucial for a therapist to facilitate direct confrontation and resolution between the actual parties involved in conflict.