Family Theories  Why do we have theories about families?- Curiosity satisfaction- To answer and respond to questions Important aspects of theories: 1. Theories answer questions about “What is going on?”2. Theories are intellectual “models,” frameworks, or sets of ideas that exist in a scientific field.3. Theories give us power of explanation, challenge, defiance.4. There is no one grand theory that will explain everything about families.5. Theories are helpful.6. Theories provide perspective. Definitions- Theorizing – The process of systematically formulating and organizing ideas to understand a particular phenomenon.- Theory – o A set of interconnected ideas (interrelated propositions) that emerge from this process.o Mental models or intellectual diagrams we use to think with.- Concepts – Specific terminology; abstractions that symbolize the categories of reality that the theory treats.Our Focus – frameworks as eyeglasses. For theories to be about families, they must:1. Contain at least one family concept.2. Determine the definition of family. Two main themes of Family Theories:1. Theories of external control:- Contain elements of determinism.- Developmental Theories, Structural Functionalism, and Conflict Theory2. Theories that “Emphasize the Power of the People:”- Highlight people's ability to determine their own behavior; free will.- Social Exchange, Family Systems, and Symbolic InteractionismDevelopmental Theories- Main focus – existence of change over time – unilateral, gradual, cannot be reversed, no society skips a stage; essential nature of society is to change.- Assumptions:o Stages – distinctive transitionso Achievement of taskso Epigenesiso Conditions of change Structural Functionalism- Main focus – social systems and their functions – influence on current politics.- Analyzes structure of family (constituent roles) to define level of functioning.- Assumptions:o Systems function – goal-directedo Structures influence functionso Functions require particular structureso Prerequisites for society to existo Systems seek equilibrium- Theory asks: “How a person's behavior is affected by the behavior of other people and by social institutions. How does this behavior in turn affect the behavior of other people.” Conflict Theory:- Main focus – conflict is normal and inevitable.- Assumptions:o Family directed towards conflict regulationo Underlying competitive structure in familieso Family relations characterized by struggleo Conflict is not necessarily negative – may be constructive/productiveo Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis- Conflict is inevitable because:o Scarce resources – time, money, love, spaceo Inequality/struggle for power – social stratificationo Coalitions – when two people work against a third (dependent on situation, members involved)o Quest for individuality – differences in opinion- Functions of Conflicto Release stresso Promote unity Social Exchange Theory:- Main focus – rewards/costs of relationships – (unpleasant/unwanted consequences)- Assumptions:o Social behaviors are (a series of) exchangeso Maximize rewards/reduce costso Will accept certain costso Obligation of reciprocity1. Dependence of Power:o The more a person perceives that the rewards they receive from a relationship cannot be obtained elsewhere, the more dependent they become.o The more dependent you are, the less power you possess.o Rarely do people have same emotional investment, and thus power, in a relationship.2. Perceptions:o Viewpoint, yet not reality, of the actual cost/benefit. 3. Expectations:o People bring expectations to new experiences based on prior experiences.4. Comparison Level:o People evaluate rewards and costs by their opinion of what the relationship should bring.CRITIQUES OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY:- Foundations of altruism- How do you explain acts that seem to have no reward and are not “rational?”- Mother saving child example.- Expectations are related to satisfaction.- More satisfied, more apt to invest.Symbolic Interactionism- Main focus – to study the reflective nature of people.- Assumptions:o Humans act according to meanings.o Meanings are created in social interaction.o Meanings are handled and modified in interactions.1. Notion of Self2. Looking Glass Self – Our image of ourselves is a mirror reflection of what others tell us about ourselves.3. Self-fulfilling Prophesy 4. Importance in Families – roles (spousal, sibling).- Perception is reality:o One's perception of an event bears the power to contribute to consequences and outcomes.o How we view events and our family shape our expectations and goals, which then direct our own thoughts and behaviors.- Consensuso The more consensus a family and community have, the less strain an individual has about his/her designated role in the system.o Similar to the idea of Cognitive Dissonance. Family Systems Theory- Main focus:o Studies how the system functions as a wholeo Holism not Reductionismo Parts or elements of a system are interconnected and strive for balance as they define boundaries and achieve goals.o Family processes are at the core of research and practice o Focus on communicationo Marriage and family therapy- Central Assumptions: 1. Elements that comprise a system are not the individuals in the family but the patterns in the processes as the individuals interact.o System o Subsystem o Environment – urban v. rural; home; neighborhood; religious and political institutions.2. Focus on processes – holistic aspect to theory.o Wholenesso Interdependenceo Ongoing net consequence of actions, reactions, perceptions, interpretations of family members.o *Related to and dependent upon past and current behaviors.*3. Families as systems have boundaries and so do their subsystems.- Boundaries – the interface between systems; point of interaction.1. Open – external; physical/psychological limitations.2. Closed – external. 3. Loose4. Rigido Determined by the physical and mental awareness of family members.4. Families are self-regulating systems.o Adaptive self-regulation: Inputs (enter system – pets, money for resource management, traumatic stress, step parent/baby, change in family membership, nurture, time, energy). Outputs – love, security, bonding, support, learning, abuse, resentment. Feedback – any deviation triggers warning signals in family; Homeostasis Mechanism (quest for balance).o Feedback Loop - When the