Genogram and Sociogram

A genogram is similar to a family tree that is used to identify various familial patterns going back at least three generations, whereas a sociogram is a self-portrait of relationships that can reflect any point in a person’s life. These tools can be used with clients.

Create a genogram in which you focus on education, career, employment, and community service or volunteer activities for each of the members of your family, including future aspirations when applicable. Use the appropriate symbols to represent gender, whether someone is deceased, and family relationships. You should take this opportunity to interview members of your family, particularly those you have not spoken with recently, to get more information about their work life and goals. You may wish to visit the genogram website to build your own genogram or simply draw it out on paper.

Create a sociogram in which you are at the very center of the target. Place an X in the middle of that central circle and label it “ME.” Choose a time frame that is either prior to beginning your master’s program, during your masters program, or after your masters program and you are in a professional position. At the top of your sociogram, indicate which time frame you have chosen. Place people on the target based on how close you feel to them. Some may be at the edge of the page, and some may be inside your intimate circle. This is not based on the definition of your relationship with them, but rather it is based on your emotional connection to that person during the time frame you chose. Then, draw arrows from you to the person to indicate your experience of the relationship, and from the person to you indicating your perception of their relationship to you. Both the near/far relationship and the attraction to/from is important information for you to understand yourself better within your own context. You may wish to use the provided template to build your own sociogram, or print the template, fill in the sections, and scan it.

APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

Refer to “Genogram and Sociogram Scoring Guide,” prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.