Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

epresented by squares and females are represented by circles. Figure 11.5 is a key for common elements
in a genogram. Please understand that this is not an exhaustive list. Researchers commonly add symbols
to illustrate specific issues of interest. Furthermore, not all of the symbols below are necessarily agreed
upon by all researchers who utilize genograms. As such, it’s essential to know the key an individual is
using when attempting to understand a genogram.
Figure 11.6. Idyllic Family
As you can see in Figure 11.5, your basic genogram allows individuals to look at various basic
characteristics of individuals within a family, the types of relationships, types of relationship interactions,
and any physical/mental illness and other diseases. When thinking about your average family, many
people think of the idyllic family represented in Figure 11.6. In this genogram, we have two heterosexual
couples who each have a boy and a girl, who then turn around and have a boy and a girl of their
own (and, of course, one dog and one cat). However, most families don’t look like this. Families are
complicated and messy.
To help us understand genograms, let’s look at your typical family, The Skywalkers (Figure 11.7).
As you can see, there is a lot going on in this genogram. We have three general familial lines in play
within this genogram: The Solo’s (to the left), the Skywalker’s (in the middle), and the Naberrie’s (to the
right). We have four generations represented within this genogram. For our purposes, the “index person”
is Luke Skywalker (highlighted in the yellow box). For those of you who are unaware, the first trilogy
of Star Wars centers around Luke Skywalker, so it makes sense to see him as the index person for our
genogram.
Let’s examine some of the family interactions. Let’s start with Luke and Leia. They are fraternal twins
who were separated by birth. Luke is adopted by his uncle Owen Lars and his wife Beru Whitesan. Leia,
on the other hand, is adopted by Bail Prestor Organa and Queen Breha Organa. Ultimately, the two do
find each other and establish a close relationship as adults, which is why the “cut off repaired” symbol
was used between them. Luke also happens to be best friends with Leia’s future husband Han Solo. Han
has an interesting life before Leia. From what we know, he may have been previously married to Sana
Starros (she said they were, he said they weren’t). There’s also the possibility that Han had an affair with
an unknown woman and had a child out of wedlock named Danielle Kieran.
Of course, the bulk of the original trilogy of Star Wars movies centers on the triangle relationship
between Luke, Leia, and their father, Anakin Skywalker (also known as Darth Vader). To put it mildly,
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