HD 204 1st Edition Lecture 4 Outline of Last Lecture I Family Images II Family Themes III Boundaries IV Biosocial issues V Intergenerational influences VI Genograms Outline of Current Lecture I Theories of Family Communication II Social Constructionism III Symbolic interaction IV Roles V Relational Dialectics VI Narrative Theory VII Family Systems Theory VIII Patterns Self regulation IX Interactive complexity Punctuation X Openness XI Complex relationships These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute XII Equifinality XIII Limitations of Systems theory Current Lecture I Theories of Family Communication a Theories of Family communication II Theories consist of a basic set of assumptions about how families function They help explain how and why families function as they do They help us predict when something may or may not happen e g When couples might divorce Can help inform practice to control problems or situations in families Social Constructionism a People actively construct a model of the world through their conversations interactions b Families are social systems created by their communication III Symbolic interaction a Interaction fosters development of self and group identity b Behavior is based on meanings attributed to actions c Meanings are influenced by social and cultural context IV Roles a Shared norms about social positions Tell us what behavior is expected of us V Tell us what behavior we can expect from others Relational Dialectics a Focuses on how people manage contradictions in relationships Autonomy connection Autonomy meaning independence Oppenness closedness Predictability novelty b How do families deal with these tensions VI Selection Segmentation Neutralizing Cyclic Alteration Reframing Narrative Theory a We make sense of our worlds through story telling Subjective process Allows us to discover and create who we are b Types of narratives VII Recounting Accounting Family Systems Theory a Systems characteristics Interdependence VIII Changes reverberate Wholeness The whole is greater than the sum of its parts Emergent properties Patterns Self regulation a The system maintains constancy within an acceptable range of behaviors b Patterns of interaction repetition and reciprocity become established in the system to keep it functioning c Calibration how the systems remain stable d Regulate interaction patterns through feedback Interactions maintain the standard and limit change Maintenance feedback Change promoting feedback IX Promotes change in system and creates new standards or rules Interactive complexity Punctuation a Communication is circular b Punctuation X Tries to place blame or trying to point out where everything started Openness a Depends on family s external boundaries b Technology has made these boundaries more difficult to regulate XI Complex relationships a Subsystems Relationships between 2 3 persons in a family Can be defined by generation gender interest Membership fluctuates b Coalition when a subsystem aligns against others c Often in the form of triangles XII Child as scapegoat Cross generational Equifinality a There are many ways to arrive at the same outcome b Families meet goals share meanings in different ways c Understanding cause is less valuable than understanding process XIII Limitations of Systems theory a Has not adequately dealt with issues of Gender power differentials Biological predispositions for problems e g alcoholism mental illness that affect family communication Cultural differences in family boundaries and communication patterns