CMN 336: Family CommunicationExam 1 Study GuideThe exam will be held on Thursday, September 22 in our normal classroom at our normal class time. Be sure to bring a #2 pencil. This review sheet lists the specific topics from which exam questions may be drawn. The exam will include true or false, multiple choice, and shortanswer questions and will cover material from lecture and the assigned readings.Lecture and Textbook Material The following items may appear only in lecture or in the book also. Make sure to be familiar with information from both sources.Be able to explain, identify, or give examples of the following items:- Three definitions of family and who is included/excluded from each definitiono Structural: blood, genetics, legal. o Strengths: cut and dry, efficient. Weakness: limiting in nature (exclude voluntary ties)o Psychosocial Task: functions families serve, socialization of kids, financial/emotional supporto Strengths: what families do, less arbitrary structures. Weakness: fuzzy boundaries (school mentor)o Transactional Process: interactions create familyo Strengths: most encompassing view of family and emphasizes communication. Weakness: fuzzier boundaries (difficult to define)- Themes of Turner & West’s definition of family (hint: they define family on p. 9) o A family is a self-defined group of intimates who create and maintain themselves through their own interactions with others; a family may include voluntary and involuntary relationships; it creates both literal and symbolic time: it has a history, a present, and a future. (Transactional process definition)o ALSO LOOK OVER BOOK DEFINITIONo -The definition of family should emphasize the value of communication in family life and encompass the diversity of contemporary families.o -Central themes: self-definition, interaction, voluntary and involuntary ties, creation of literal (physical) and symbolic (psychological) boundaries internally and externally, and evolving through time- Four implications of how we define family- Common myths about families and why they are myths1.Diversity in families is new in America compared to back in the dayo Reality: It’s been diverse 2.Substance abuse bigger problem than evero Reality: It has been higher in the past 3.Families don't value motherhood like they used to o Reality: It has increased4.Children exposed to sex more than evero Reality: they have always been exposed just in different ways - Six family forms and communication within eacho Nuclear Family: married couple raising biological children. o Gay & Lesbian Families: same-sex partners raising at least one child. o Extended Families: parents and children living with other relatives. o Stepfamilies: married couple raising at least one child who is not biological offspring of both adults. o Single-Parent Families: one parent and at least one child in single residence. o Couples (Cohabiting or Married): two adults living together without children- Difference between a traditional nuclear family and a contemporary nuclear family o Nuclear Family: married couple raising biological children. o Contemporary Nuclear Family: Modernized version of nuclear family. Stay at home dad or dual-career- Four government influences on family (I THINK)1. Family planning services2. Foster care/child services3. Food stamps4. Employment services.- Definition of theory, and the two main elements theories include o Definition: an abstract statement that provides an understanding or explanation of something observed in the social world. Theories describe, predict, control(create change)and explaino Two main elements:1. Descriptions of phenomena in the social world 2. Relations among phenomena (norms, causal explanations,assumptions) - Definitions and differences between neo-positivist, interpretive, and critical theories/traditions o Neo-positivist- Objectively measure social phenomena, To Interpretive o Subjective trutho Interested in meaning to participantso Criticalo Reveal inequalities, emancipate the silenced/left out- Four purposes of theoryWhy study theory? 1. Bring order to chaos 2. Enhances understanding of social world 3. Transferability 4. Ability to critique empirical studies - Definition of quantitative and qualitative research, types of methods usedin each, and examples of possible research questions/hypotheses for each - Examples of quantitative questions (analysis numbers)o What are the effects of parental conflict on children’s test scores?- Examples of qualitative questions (process, describe phenomena)o How do families cope with the loss of a loved one?- Definition of quantitative methods and examples: From theory to methodNeo-positivist theory: Quantitative --> (Experiment + Survey)- Definition of qualitative methods and examplesInterpretive Theory + Critical Theory: Qualitative --> (Interview + Textual Analysis)- Differences between a research question and a hypothesisHypothesis:- Expectations of events based on the assumed relationship between phenomena.o Exp: H1 The perception that your family is secretive is negatively related to family members' satisfaction- More common in quantitative researchResearch Question: - Query about relationship between phenomena.o Exp- RQ1: Why do family members keep secrets?- Used in both quantitative and qualitative research- Difference between independent variables and dependent variableso Independent Variable Influences changes in another variableo Dependent: Changed by another variable - Positive associations versus negative associations between variablesCorrelationo Positive Association: An increase in one variable is associated with an increase in the other variableo Negative Association: A decrease in one variable is associated with an increase in the other variable. - Basic premise and explanation of Family systems theory (LOOK INTO BOOK)o Basic premise: families are systems of interconnected and interdependent individuals o Definition of family systems theoryo a) It assumes that all systems share certain characteristics;o b) It focuses on recurring patterns that allow us to predict family behaviors; o c) In examining the components of systems it seeks to provide explanations for family behaviors.o Elements of a family systemo Componentso Attributes (individual & systemic)o Environment (bidirectional)o Relationships- between &among members- Assumptions of family systems theory from lecture: o Assumptions: o Family members cannot be truly understood in isolationo All