genogram

[ jen-uh-gram, jee-nuh- ]

noun

1. a graphic representation of the personalities and interplay of generations within a family, used to identify repetitive patterns of behavior; a psychological family tree.
2. a graphic representation of medical conditions and age and cause of death of family members going back several generations, used especially to assess disease risk.

Word History and Origins

Origin of genogram¹

gen(eration) + -o- + -gram ¹

Example Sentences

Berest’s family history was so complex and layered that during a bout of depression in her 20s she turned to therapy through genogram, a form of treatment based on the analysis of a person’s family tree.

From New York Times

So a therapist might draw out a kind of genogram, or family tree, with information about the social relationships between the members.

From Slate

But Professor Lowery argued for expanding what we include in a genogram.

From New York Times

I’ll draw a genogram, or family tree, going back several generations.

From Wall Street Journal

Divorce symbol in genogram, some now facilitated by social networks Consider, as an example, all the trouble online behavior is creating for people in divorce and custody cases. As described by Linda Lea M. Viken, president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers: “Facebook has become an open book of people’s lives,” she said.

From Forbes