What term best describes the ability of systems to adapt while maintaining their core functions?

The term that best describes the ability of systems to adapt while maintaining their core functions is morphogenesis. Morphogenesis refers to the process through which systems or organizations evolve and change in structure or organization to adapt to new circumstances, while still preserving their essential identity and functions. This is crucial in systems theory, where the dynamic nature of families and other relational systems require adaptation to maintain stability and cohesion despite external or internal changes.

In the context of family therapy, morphogenesis is particularly applicable because families often need to adjust their interactions, roles, and structures to respond to developmental changes, crises, or shifts in the external environment, all while maintaining their fundamental characteristics and relationships. This adaptability is key to promoting resilience within the family unit.

Other concepts like equifinality (which suggests multiple pathways can lead to the same outcome), homeostasis (the tendency of systems to maintain stability), and negative feedback (which helps to correct deviations from a set point within a system) focus more on different aspects of system behavior but do not capture the essence of adaptable change in structure while preserving core functions as effectively as morphogenesis does.