Chp 11 ( 1 MC,and 2 T/F)

Family Communication Patterns

Conversation and Conformity dimensions give to four possible family communication patterns: Consensual, Pluralistic, Protective, and Laissez-Faire. ~Consensual Families- both conversation and conformity; members are encouraged to openly share communication is marked by high disclosure; attentive listening; and frequent expressions of caring, concern and support toward one another. Consensual family members are expected to steadfastly share a single viewpoint. Parents in such households typically exert strong control over attitudes, behaviors, and interactions of their children. Their emphasis on conformity, consensual families perceive conflict as intensely threatening. They address conflicts as they occur seek to resolve them as constructively as possible to preserve family unity. ~Pluralistic Families- are high in conversation but low in conformity. They communicate in open and unconstrained ways, discussing a broad range of topics and exploring them in depth. Pluralistic families enjoy debating the issue of the day, and judge one another's arguments on their merit rather than on whether they mesh with other members' attitudes. People in pluralistic families typically don't try to control other family members beliefs or attitudes Parents don't feel compelled to wield power over their children, children's contributions to family discussions and decision making are treated as relevant and equally valid. Pluralistic families deal directly with conflict, seeking to resolve disputes in productive, mutually beneficial ways. Members establish times to vent their concerns and work collaboratively to settle them. Highest rates of conflict resolution of the four families. ~Protective Families- are low on conversation and high on conformity. Communication in these families functions to maintain obedience and enforce family norms, and little value is placed on the exchange of ideas or the development of communication skills. Parent-child power differences are firmly enforced, and children are expected to quietly obey. Parents invest little effort in creating opportunities for family discussion, and the result is low level of disclosure among family members. Protective families avoid conflict because it threatens the conformity they value and because they often lack the skills necessary to manage conflicts constructively. ~Laissez-Faire Families- families both low in both conversation and conformity. Few emotional bonds exist between their members, resulting in low levels of caring, concern, and support expressed within the family. Their detachment shows itself in a lack of interaction and decided disinterest in activities that might foster communication or maintenance of the family as a unit. Similar to parents in pluralistic families, laissez-faire parents believe that children should be independent thinkers and decision makers. But this belief derives from their disinterest in their children's thoughts and decisions. Such parents tend to leave it up to their children to form their own opinions regarding to sexual behavior, drug and alcohol use, and educational achievement. Because members of such families interact infrequently, they either rarely get embroiled in conflict. If a disagreement does erupt, they either avoid it or compete to win the debate.

Voluntary Kin Familiy

a group of people who lack blood legal kinship but who nevertheless consider themselves " family". Often times such families arise form distance, dissatisfaction with, or estrangement form blood and legal relatives. Supplement Family- which dissatisfaction with family relationships lead to people to begin labeling other close people in their lives as family. Substitute family- have no contact whatsoever with blood legal relatives-either because of estrangement or death- and replace their relatives entirely with a group of people consider to be family. Convenience family- people for particular time span, come to think of a group of people as their family, although the ties between them are temporary.

Conformity orientation

the degree to which families believe that communication should emphasize similarity or diversity in attitudes, beliefs, and values. High Conformity Families-use their interactions to highlight and enforce uniformity of thought. Such families are sometimes perceived as more traditional because children are expected to obey parents and other elders who are counted to make family decisions. Low Conformity families- emphasizes diversity in attitudes, belies, and values, and that encourage uniqueness, individuality, and independence. These families typically view outside relationships as equally important to those within the family, and they prioritize individual over family interests and goals. Children contribute to family decision making, and members view the family as a vehicle for individual growth rather than a collective in which member must sacrifice their own interest for the good of the whole.

Conversation Orientation

the degree to which family members are encouraged to participate in unrestrained interaction about a wide array of topics ~High Conversation Orientation- believe that open and frequent communication is essential to an enjoyable and rewarding family life. They interact often, freely, and, spontaneously, without many limitations placed on time spent together and topics discussed. Low Conversation Orientation- view interpersonal communication as something irrelevant and unnecessary for satisfying, successful family life. Such families interact only infrequently and limit their conversations to few select topics-weather, daily activities, current events, and the like. Disclosure of intimate thoughts and feelings between family members is discouraged, as is debate of attitudes and perspectives.