Who developed the concept of the "saturated family"?

The concept of the "saturated family" was developed by Kenneth Gergen, who emphasized the effects of social change and the information age on family dynamics. Gergen introduced this term to describe families that are overwhelmed by too many influences, interactions, and communications, often leading to a sense of confusion, conflict, or a lack of coherent identity. In saturated families, the abundance of external information and relationships complicates familial interactions, which may contribute to relational distress.

In contrast, the other figures listed contributed to different areas within psychology and therapy. Gregory Bateson is known for his work in systems theory and communication, Jay Haley focused on strategic family therapy, and Irvin Yalom is known for his contributions to existential psychotherapy. While all have made significant contributions to family therapy, Gergen’s framework specifically addresses how modern influences saturate family life, making him the correct answer for the development of the "saturated family" concept.