Which author would likely identify John's behavior as indicative of a problem within the family system?

Minuchin's work is centered around structural family therapy, which posits that individuals cannot be fully understood in isolation but rather within the context of their family dynamics. He believed that ensuring healthy family structures is crucial for the well-being of each member. A behavior exhibited by John would be interpreted as a manifestation of underlying issues within his family system, such as poor communication, role confusion, or boundaries that have not been properly established.

In contrast, Freud's focus is primarily on individual psychology and unconscious processes, making his approach less concerned with family dynamics as a source of behavior problems. Bowen’s family systems theory does consider the family's impact on individual behavior but with a particular emphasis on generational patterns and emotional systems. Beck, known for cognitive therapy, concentrates on individual thought patterns and cognitive distortions that affect mental health rather than family structure. Therefore, Minuchin’s perspective aligns most closely with identifying John’s behavior as indicative of systemic issues within the family.