Theory

Main concepts of feminist theory

Some of the central concepts in feminist theory are: gender, oppression, discrimination, emancipation, political, connectedness, personal experience, enlightenment, and power.

Critique of Family Development theory

This theory is useful but has a very limited perspective. Most of the efforts of the theorists in this perspective have been in developing the concepts rather than expanding the explanations so it may have more potential than present usefulness.

How do family theorists apply Hedonism/Behavioralism?

Counselors and therapists tend to use the behavioral version. Home economists use the economic perspective family sociologists use exchange theory

What is the focus of Family Systems Theory?

Focus on how the interrelationships of parts in a whole made a difference.

Critique of Systems theory

The systemic perspective has provided many useful insights, but it also has a number of important limitations. The scholars who developed this perspective ignored gender issues and abusive processes in family systems. For many years the therapeutically oriented scholars also generally paid little attention to the "ego" aspect of family systems or the subsystems inside them. They focused their attention almost exclusively on the internal processes of conjugal families.

Main ideas of feminist theory?

There is a clear thread in the ideas in feminist theory: gender inequality exists at many levels in contemporary societies. The inequality is oppressive and stifling for women, and it is morally imperative that emancipation occur. Thus, the driving force in this mode of inquiry is to promote gender equality, and scholarly ideas are one of the means that can help this end.

What are the propositions of Hedonism/Behavioralism?

basic idea of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain If other costs and rewards are equal: Individuals choose the alternatives that supply or can be expected to supply the most social approval (or those that promise the least social disapproval). Individuals choose statuses and relationships that provide the most autonomy. Individuals choose alternatives characterized by the least ambiguity in terms of expected future events and outcomes. Individuals choose alternatives that promise the most security for them.

Criticisms of Positivistic paradigm

It assumes that it is possible to predict and control, and this assumes that causal laws are operating. This ignores the parts of humans and families that deal with ethical choices, values, ideals, and morality. It also ignores the spontaneous and unpredictable parts of humans and families.

What are two Interpretive theoretical perspectives that are widely used in family science?

Symbolic interaction Family-systems theory

Family systems theory

Families can change and the flow of information is an important part of the system. The assumptions focus attention on patterns of dealing with information rather than on how people learn. Systems theory is an example of a very general theory. It can explain why things happen in many different systems. It can be used to understand biological systems such as the circulatory or nervous system, and it can be applied to large and complex systems like armies and governments. Since it can be used to answer "why" questions in a wide variety of situations, it is a very general theory.

What are the assumptions of Family Systems Theory?

Families cannot be effectively understood unless the patterns in the relationships within the family and between the family and external systems are taken into account. The environment around families is fragile and has limited resources and that, not only does it influence families in a number of ways, but families also influence it in important ways. The systems perspective can provide insights about these relationships that will help families and society better attain their goals.

How do family scientists use Family Development theory?

Family development is useful in explaining a variety of phenomena. It explains why family systems move from an emphasis on rule creation in the formation stage of the life cycle to rules being implicit and assumed later. It helps us understand why families deal with some issues, such as inclusion, before they deal with managing emotional distance. It helps explain variations in consumption patterns in families, patterns of giving and receiving help across generations and among other kin, variations in marital satisfaction, and patterns of mobility.

How do family scientists use family systems theory?

Family scientists developed an ecologically-oriented systems perspective. The ecological branch has been helpful in policy and impact analyses in government and industrial settings It has helped families manage limited resources, and it provides useful ideas for decision-making and home management.

Critique of feminist theory

Feminist scholars differ considerably in the means they advocate to accomplish this goal. Some advocate radical and militant changes. Others are in favor of moderate and gradual changes, but an activist orientation is a central part of this perspective.

Main terms of Symbolic Interaction

Some of the main terms in this theory are self, society, mind, the "I" and "me," values, roles, norms, meaning, perceptions, definitions, role expectations, role behavior, role making, and identity.

Family Development Theory main concepts

Some of the major concepts in this theory are developmental task, family life cycle, stages, transitions, norms, roles, positions, role sequence, structure, career, boundaries, epigenesis, and families being stuck, or arrested, in their development.

How could the Wallace Wheel information help you understand a family theory?

The Wallace Wheel helps to determine if a theory is inductive or deductive. Deductive reasoning is used by making a prediction regarding a relationship between two variables (a hypothesis). To test your hypothesis you would design research, and make observations. It would provide data that would result in evidence. Inductive reasoning is used when observations are made after studying the data, and a statement of relationships between variables is made. A statement of relations between variables results in a theory.

What are the main concepts of Hedonism/Behavioralism?

The main concepts in this approach are the duo of reward (pleasure, reward, reinforcer, income, profit) and loss (pain, cost, negative reinforcer). Some of the other terms that are used are conditioning, extinction discrimination, values, marginal, reciprocity, scarcity, exchange, grants, and comparison level.

Give examples of how hypotheses inform research.

A theory can inform research through helping explain relationships between two variables. The theory guides research by sensitizing, integrating, and explaining concepts and how they relate. Example of a theory: Those who are ready for marriage get married early.

Main concepts of Family Systems Theory?

Concepts in family-systems theory are the same as in general systems theory—for example, terms like input, output, feedback, rules of transformation, and boundaries. In addition, however, a number of concepts are primarily limited to the family-systems theory: individuation, mystification, paradoxical bonding, double bind, complementary and parallel relationships, metacommunication, rules and metarules, boundaries, openness, pseudomutuality, coalition, and triangulation.

What are the assumptions of feminist theory?

Women are oppressed, that personal and family experiences are also political experiences whether people recognize it or not, and that feminists need to have a double vision of reality: "The 'double vision' is the ability, and the need, to be successful in

The main assumptions in the positivistic way of getting knowledge are that.

(1) there are phenomena and processes that operate independently of human awareness of them, (2) there are laws that govern at least some of these phenomena and processes, (3) at least some of these laws can be discovered through the scientific method, (4) knowledge of these laws can be used by humans to predict and at least partially control some of the phenomena and processes, and (5) this type of prediction and control can help humans better meet their needs and desires

What are the characteristics of a good theory?

- Parsimonious The simplest explanation is the best one Explains the greatest amount of behavior with the fewest numbers of principles - Falsifiable or verifiable Must be able to identify potential situations that would occur if your theory wasn't correct - Heuristic Stimulates new research techniques and the discovery of new knowledge Does a theory generate new testable questions? If it does not, it is not a good theory. A good theory lets us think about families and how we might ask questions about those families.

What are the assumptions of Hedonism/Behavioralism?

Assumptions: (1) people are influenced a great deal by what happens in their environment, (2) humans are rational, and (3) humans are profit- seeking. The psychological branch also assumes that the mind of an infant is a tabula rasa (empty slates, blank chalkboards)

Assumptions of Behaviorism

Behaviorism, we assume that humans are malleable. We also assume that the environment can change humans a great deal by changing the rewards and punishments. Assumes that people are born with minds that are tabulae rasae (empty slates, blank chalkboards). Is an attempt to explain how humans learn.

Assumptions of Symbolic Interaction

Humans live in a symbolic environment as well as a physical environment, and they acquire complex sets of symbols in their minds. Humans value. Symbols are important in understanding human behavior. Humans are reflexive (they think about themselves), and their introspection gradually creates a definition of self.

How do family scientists use Symbolic Interaction theory?

It is useful in explaining complicated behavior and also behavior that seems to be irrational until the individuals' perceptions are taken into account.

Wallace Wheel - how research and theory work together to bring us to Truth

The Wallace Wheel diagrams the research process. Theory research can start anywhere on the Wallace Wheel but a hypothesis is derived from theory, and its empirical truth is open to observation. Deductive reasoning is used by making a prediction regarding a relationship between two variables (a hypothesis). To test your hypothesis you would design research, and make observations. Inductive reasoning is used when observations are made after studying the data, and a statement of relationships between variables is made. A true statement of relations between variables results in a theory.

Propositions of Symbolic Interaction

The clarity of people's expectations about a new role influences the ease with which they can move into the role and that the more strongly people value something, the more they will be influenced by it. People who desire to interact in a relationship need at least a minimal consensus on the meaning of their perceptions and that the quality of the role enactment influences how satisfied people are in relationships such as marriage and parenthood.

Critique of Symbolic Interaction theory

The ideas in this theory are increasingly assumed to be true, but young scholars are unaware of their roots. It has become more of a basic philosophy of life than a set of scientifically verified propositions.

Family Development Theory assumptions

There is some order in the developmental patterns of individuals and families. People or families can be improved through healthy maturation and growth. The result is an orientation that we ought to "look for the best in the human condition" and "see what can be done to make things better."

What are the parts of a theory?

1. Assumptions (we just assume they are true) Beliefs accepted as true or self-evident Accepted as true without being tested provide the explanations because they provide the foundation for the true statements, or generalizations help us know what to focus on, what to assume, and where to start reasoning 2. Concepts (building blocks of a theory) Provide mutually agreed upon definitions of terms When operationalized they become measureable variables give us words with which to think and communicate 3. Propositions (hypothesis): - true statements that give us the explanations. Suggested relationships or outcomes that might be expected if our theory correctly defines reality How the concepts relate to one another and affect one another directly or indirectly or in a positive direction or negative direction Scientific theory is a systematic collection of propositions and the relationship between them Must have at least 2 propositions, otherwise it's just a hypothesis and not a theory Propositions are statements showing the relationship between concepts Causal - this causes that (x causes y) Covariational - x and y vary at the same time Six essential characteristics. 1. give us a perspective. 2. concepts - basic building blocks of scientific thinking 3. assumptions - facts or statements that are taken for granted. Assumptions merely identify the starting point for our reasoning. 4. generality 5. explanations 6. a history of evolving in a scientific community.

How families are unique (and thus we need family theories to work with this unique animal)

Families are unique because they differ from other social groups due to their length of association. Family relationships last a lifetime making them intergenerational with biological ties creating a large kinship organization. Every family has biological and psychological differences, which is why family studies is so complex. Theories help us explain, generate new knowledge, and predict what might happen. In family circumstances theories explain situations and help professions know how to intervene. Theories about family processes help us understand what is going on in various aspects of the family by breaking down behaviors or relationships to understand their function in relation to the whole.

What are the functions of a theory?

- answer questions about what is going on - give us ideas that we can use to better attain our goals - give us perspectives - have explanations - true statements (generalizations, postulates, propositions, or laws) that satisfy our intellectual curiosity Theories guide our thinking Allow us to describe and explain some aspect of experience To systematically formulate and organize ideas to understand a particular phenomenon Increase and generate knowledge Predict/help solve problems - Helps us know where/how to intervene Theories meet the goals of science Theories generate knowledge and focus our thinking. It's a lens that allows new perspectives of what we view. Accumulation/organization of research Precision - articulate ideas precisely Guidance - guide research Connectedness - show how ideas are connected Interpretation - help interpret/describe what is happening Prediction and explain - predict what will happen in future

Main ideas of therapeutic Systems theory

1. When something tries to create a change in a family system there is usually a tendency to resist the change, a tendency to toward homeostasis. 2. Paradoxical communication. It holds that emotional disturbances tend to occur when there is a long-term pattern of powerful members of a family sending inconsistent messages and making inconsistent demands.

How deductive and inductive thinking fit with this process

Inductive and deductive reasoning are two methods of logic used to test hypotheses and theories and arrive at a logical true conclusion. Deductive reasoning (based on theory) allows scientists to apply the theories to specific situations. It starts with a general statement, or hypothesis, and examines the possibilities and predicts what the observations should be if the theory were correct. It goes from general (the theory) to specific (the observations). In deductive reasoning if something is true in general than it is true for everyone. "All men are mortal. Joe is a man. Therefore Joe is mortal." Inductive reasoning (based on observation) makes a broad generalization from specific observations. Even if all the premises are true in a statement, inductive reasoning allows for the conclusion to be false. "Harold is a grandfather. Harold is bald. Therefore, all grandfathers are bald." The conclusion does not follow logically from the statement. Logic (theory) and observation must be linked together in order to find truth.

What is inductive reasoning?

Inductive: data to ideas Research goes to theory Inductive moves from specific to general. It is based on observation. Moves from observed data to a generalized explanation. You find a pattern in a collection of specific observations and make a general conclusion based on that pattern. You would use inductive reasoning to make an argument based on experience. An inductive argument shows that the conclusion is probably true. 1. Observation - The data - the impact of the world on our senses — will be colored to some extent by our expectations. Example: LDS Couples: tend to marry early. 2. Generalizations - A statement of relations between variables. A hypothesis is derived from theory, and its empirical truth is open to question. Example: More ready for marriage. 3. Theory construction - a statement of relations between variables. A hypothesis is derived from theory, and its empirical truth is open to question. Maybe those who feel ready for marriage get married early. Marital Readiness Theory

Positive Theory Hedonism

Laws of association - people tend to repeat behavior when it is associated with pleasurable results and that they discontinue behavior when it is associated with painful results. Three different versions of hedonism are used in contemporary family science. Each of these groups uses slightly different terms for the basic concepts, and each uses them for slightly different purposes, but they are essentially all the same theory. Psychological orientation - behaviorism. economic orientation - economic theory sociological orientation - exchange theory.

What is the differences between positive and negative correlation.

Positive Correlation: Positive correlation is a relationship between two variables in which both variables move in tandem. Negative Correlation: The correlation in opposite direction is called negative correlation, is a relationship between two variables in which one variable increases as the other decreases, and vice versa. • With a cultural expectation in the Church that marriage should last there is long-term commitment. When long-term commitment is UP divorce rates are DOWN (this is a negative correlation) • When support is UP divorce rates are DOWN (negative correlation) OR we might say it this way: When support is UP marital satisfaction is UP (positive correlation)

What does Positivism emphasize?

Positivism emphasizes the external and objective reality of phenomena.

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis assumes that all people have innate, biological drives that influence what they do.

What is theory?

Theories are the sets of ideas that scientists "think with" to help them understand and give them a basis for interventions. A set of ideas which guide our thinking. "A set of concepts and propositions that allow us to describe and explain some aspect of experience" "Theorizing is the process of systematically formulating and organizing ideas to understand a particular phenomenon. A theory is the set of interconnected ideas that emerge from this process. Scientific theories can be defined as groups of ideas that give us explanations that can be used as the basis for intervening. "A set of systematically related propositions that are empirically testable" (Rudner, 1966). Theory links ideas to data and is intended to explain something. Theory is a systematic collection of concepts and how they relate. It is a set of assumptions, propositions or explanations of a causal relationship. A set of interrelated propositions plus assumptions and definitions.

What is theory, particularly family theory?

Theories give us explanations and help us know how to intervene. Theories help break down behaviors or relationships to understand their function in relation to the whole. Understanding theories help to explain social patterns and see how such patterns can be generalized to the society as a whole. It is general enough to apply to many situations. Theories about family processes help us understand what is going on in various aspects of the family realm. "Theories have immense value to scientists and practitioners. They help us understand the world around us. We can use them to predict events, and we can use them to help train children, send rockets to the moon, develop new technologies, and help criminals reform in family science they help us understand why people get married and divorced, and they help us understand what we need to do to adjust effectively when we get married or divorced. They help us know why children respond the way they do to praise and punishment, and this type of knowledge is power. It is power because it helps family scientists help others attain their goals." (Burr, Using Theories in Family Science)

How is deductive reasoning used in theory development/revision?

Theory goes to research. Ideas to data. Deductive moves from general to specific. It is based on law or principles. You apply a general principle to a specific example. You would use deductive reasoning to make an argument based on rules or previously known facts. A deductive argument shows that the conclusion is true if the premises used is true. 1. Hypothesis - A statement of relations between variables. A hypothesis is a prediction that a particular relation will be found. Individuals who perceive themselves as being ready for marriage tend to not delay marriage 2. Design Research - Decisions about the cases studied, the method of data collection, the method of measurement, and procedures for ruling out alternative explanation of findings should they support the hypothesis. longitudinal study - take a marital readiness scale for 4 years and observe who gets married 3. Observation - The data - the impact of the world on our senses — will be colored to some extent by our expectations. evidence - observe and we have evidence.

What is the critique of Hedonism/Behavioralism?

This theory explains "rational" decisions, but it doesn't provide many answers about the less rational parts of the family, the parts that have to do with love, trust, compassion, and bonding. They are less helpful with general or abstract parts of life, such as teaching generosity, charity, kindness, compassion, or consideration. The beliefs, definitions, and interpersonal interactions that involve love, compassion, charity, altruism, concern about others, service, sacrifice, giving, nobility, and beauty—for their own sake—are ignored. A substantial part of the human condition seems to be best described by hedonistic thinking (selfishness, pleasure-seeking, banal, infantile, irresponsible, conniving, self- seeking, manipulative, and ignoble). The learning that occurs for other than selfish motives is ignored in this perspective. They are the most effective when the pleasures and pains are fairly easy to identify and control.

What is the focus of Critical theory

To raise the consciousness of people about oppression. This paradigm does not try to acquire scientific laws about cause-and-effect relationships or to focus on interpretive processes.