Chapter 3: Marriage and the Family: Disciplinary and Theoretical Approaches

1. Chapter 3:Marriage and the Family: Disciplinary and Theoretical Approaches

2. Disciplines Involved in Family Study Anthropology Biology Child Development Counseling Demography Economics Education English Genealogy History Home Economics Law Psychology Public Health Religion Social Work Sociology

3. Sociology of Families • Examines family groups and systems • Family sociology is concerned with: • Social forms • Social structures • Contexts of human behavior

4. Uses of Family Sociology Descriptive—describes families and family processes Explanatory—explains why phenomena or events occur in families Evaluative—recommends effective programs and policies

5. Social Science Approach • Assumes that social phenomena have certain regularities and uniformities that operate independently of the observer. • Uses objective empirical observation to establish general relationships between and among social phenomena.

6. The Scientific Process The relationship between research and theory is a cyclical one. Exploratory research involves induction—the derivation of general and abstract knowledge from particular and concrete observations. Explanatory research involves deduction—the derivation of particular and concrete predictions from general and abstract theories.

7. Parts of Theories • Assumptions—Fundamental truths about the world from which all other aspects of theories derive their meanings. • Concepts and Variables— • Concepts identify qualities, attributes or properties of social behavior. • Variables are concepts that represent degrees or values. • Propositions and Hypotheses— • A proposition is a statement about the nature of some phenomenon. • An hypothesis is a testable statement about the relationship between two variables.

8. Concepts and Variables Conceptual Frameworks are sets of interrelated concepts used to describe and classify phenomena. Typologies are clusters of concepts. Variables are concepts that represent degrees or values. Operationalization is the process of translating concepts to variables.

9. Types of Research Qualitative Observation starts with observation and develops theory as a result. Focuses on qualities, rather than quantities. Quantitative Research starts with theories and develops specific measures in order to test theories.

10. Quantitative Research Designs Experiments—Standardized and highly controlled setting with randomized assignment to the experimental and control groups. Surveys—Participants answer questions to measure their background characteristics and experiences. The researcher then looks for correlation between variables.

11. Sample Selection Sampling is the process by which units of observation (sample) are selected to represent the total group (population). Sample adequacy is judged by representativeness and generalizability. In random selection each unit has a similar chance of being selected for the sample.

12. Measurement Measurement is the process by which numbers are assigned to the characteristics or traits being studied. Two concerns of measurement: Measurement reliability Measurement validity

13. Causal Validity Causal Validity—the assurance that one variable causes the other. In order to show causation: Variables must show covariation. Relationship must not be spurious. One variable must precede the other. Longitudinal designs measure phenomena over time; cross-sectional designs measure phenomena at only one point in time.

14. Ecological Validity Ecological Validity—is the generalizability of research results to the natural settings of human behavior. Surveys are higher in ecological validity than experiments.

15. Statistical Concepts Five key statistical analysis ideas: Frequencies Means and percentages Positive and negative correlations Strength of correlation Generalizability

16. Theory Macro Theories—assess families across societal contexts and see individual behavior as influenced by social structure. Micro Theories—See marital and family phenomena as a result of negotiations. Multilevel Theories—Attempt to incorporate both macro and micro level processes.

17. Assumptions of Structural-Functional Frameworks • There is a relationship between the whole and its interdependent parts. • Social structures carry out or result in basic functions. • Functions are consequences of social structures and activities.

18. Assumptions of Social Conflict Frameworks Conflict is present in all social groups. Conflict shapes institutions and relationships. Conflict is a source of both order and change. Conflict can be positive.

19. Assumptions of Symbolic Interaction Frameworks Humans act on the basis of subjective meanings. Meanings are derived from social interaction. Meanings are modified through interpretive processes.

20. Assumptions of Social Exchange Frameworks Humans are rational hedonists who seek to maximize rewards and minimize costs. Humans use their expectations for rewards and costs to guide their behavior. Standards used to evaluate rewards and costs differ from person to person and over time. Norms of reciprocity exist. Participants to an exchange are interdependent. Changes in relationships guide exchanges over time. Exchanges are based on both attraction and dependence.

21. Assumptions of Family Systems Frameworks Families are living systems that respond to environmental pressures while in a constant state of change or morphogenesis. The sum of the family is greater than its parts. Family structures that best facilitate goal achievement and system adaptation processes can be specified. Olson’s model focuses on cohesion, flexibility, and communication.

22. Assumptions of Developmental Frameworks • Families pass through stages during their life course. • Families must successfully complete tasks at each stage. • Failure to complete tasks results in: • Family unhappiness • Social disapproval • Difficulty with later tasks

23. Assumptions of Postmodern Perspectives Rationality and science are not the foundations of all knowledge; scientific knowledge is grand narrative. Grand narratives are shaped by those in power. Central concepts are deconstruction and reflexivity.

24. Assumptions of Feminist Frameworks Women are oppressed. The personal is political. Feminists need to be successful in the current system while working to change oppressive practices and institutions.

25. Contemporary Family TheoryCan be Expanded by: Integrating conceptual schemes. Reinterpreting their meanings. Engaging the tensions between positivism and post-modernity. Acknowledging diversity and subjective experience. Recognizing intersections of race, class, gender, sexual orientation and age.