FAML 400 Exam II

"I" vs "me"

"I" is your spontaneous reaction (similar to the id in psychoanalytic theory); "me" is your social self/presentation of yourself to others

Mutuality

"Mutuality is found in open families in which everyone is accepted and loved, despite difference of opinion. The opposite is pseudo-mutuality in which a family gives the surface

The locus of pathology is not within the person but is a system dysfunction

"The locus of pathology, or the location of the problem, is not within the person. Rather than saying that an individual has a disease, we say that they system of which he or she is a part is dysfunctional."

What is Symbolic Interactionism Theory?

A Theory stating that people will react to something according to the meaning that thing has for them (the meaning being created through our interactions with society, culture, and other people) It fits into the "It depends" category of Interpretive Theories. There are many different ways to interpret interactions using this theory. This theory is one of the most impactful theories in the study of family relationships.

T/F A basic assumption/tenet of symbolic interaction is that we cannot assume to understand behavior simply by knowing or understanding the meaning that the action has for the person.

False

role salience

which is most important right now?

Displacement Triangles

In a displacement triangle, couple conflict is diffused through displacement of anxiety onto a third person, who then becomes the focus of the couple's negative energy. Unity is created through mobilizing against the "common enemy." Displacement triangles compromise differentiation in the God-couple relationship at two points. First, they shatter God's beneficent relationship with the couple. Second, such triangles project responsibility for marital problems onto God.

Substitutive Triangles

In substitutive triangles, the relationship with a third person substitutes for and diverts from the original dyadic relationship. In one subtype of substitutive triangles, the detouring- supporting type, conflict is diffused by the two people rallying in support of the "common cause," usually the "sick" or "needy" triangled person one or both spouses manage their anxiety by distancing from their marital partner and striving for surrogate intimacy with God.

Critiques of Symbolic Interactionism Theory

It doesn't focus enough on the hard facts that we live in a world that we do not create. It's not really a completely integrated theory Doesn't give enough attention to emotions People find the concepts confusing it lacks attention to the role of biology in human behavior

Family Systems Critiques

It is more of a model or flowchart for conceptualizing and that id does not qualify as a true theory. It is too global and abstract and is therefore virtually meaningless. Family process theorist in particular make the mistake of reifying the idea of system that is instead of remember that it is just a model for understanding, they slip into considering the system to be reality. Lacks useful mathematical models and predictive propositions that have emerged over the years from this approach.

Double Bind

Joy tells her husband that she wants him to be more open in his communication with her and share his feelings with her. When her husband, Kevin, does open up to her, she gets really upset and yells and screams at him for his insensitivity to her feelings.

Equilibrium

Tendency for any system to seek balance between stability and change in the variety of its behaviors and rules." Our natural inclination to stay within the status quo is known as homeostasis which means that this system has an equilibrium.

Equifinality

equal finishing points. Because of circular causality, you don't have to find the perfect place to start for intervention. You can start anywhere (it's all connected)

First and second order change

first order change is surface; second order change is deep. In a first order change things appear to change, but the underlying patterns stay the same. In a second order change, real change occurs.

The concept of socialization includes the process of learning the symbols, beliefs, and attitudes of our culture. According to Mead, when we become socialized to play our roles in society and we understand how our roles fit in with the roles of others, we are in the...

game stage

Boundaries

lines that define what is allowed/ok or not. Can be open, closed, rigid, enmeshed, or permeable. Exist within a family and between the family and outside systems.

critiques of Structural Functionalism Theory

never reached popularity as it was never fully developed as a "formalized theory" The normal family of the 1950's is no longer true Just because something is functional , it does not deserve to be maintained Does not allow for family forms found today Feminists are offended by women being defined by expressive tas

ritualism

person tries because it is a ritual but never meets expectations

Structural Functionalism Theory Assumptions

-function of families is to procreate and socialize children to fit into society -the ideal family (norm or benchmark) consists of husband, wife, and children. -family is key system to society -a basic system structure is where husband and wives play certain roles. Males are INSTRUMENTAL or providers and females tend to be EXPRESSIVE or nurtures. -Proclamation on the Family-defines roles based on gospel principles

Strengths of Structural Functionalism Theory

-used today in theoretical approaches -framework has been successful in providing us with and understanding different family forms and why they work in various times and places -neutral as it looks at stability

Family Flexibiliy

A family's adaptability to new and/or stressful situations represents a family's flexibility."

Ditriangulation

A third nonreactive (differentiated) person (or God) who establishes relationship, neutrality, and responsibility.

Deviant behavior

Behaviors that deviate from social norms

innovation

Being both conforming and deviant (e.g. man who attains material success but attains it in an illegal way)

Which of these best exemplifies what a family "system" is?

All family members related by blood marriage or adoption

Equilibrium

Any human system will resist change - families work best when things are in balance

Mascot

Immature, fragile, cuteness, needs protection Humor: comic relief

Family Cohesion

The degree of closeness or emotional bonding family members have for one another. It can range from one extreme of disengagement to enmeshment which represents extreme

"Looking-glass self (Cooley)

Charles Horton Cooley developed the idea in which individuals think about how they appear to others, make a judgment about what the other person thinks about them, and then incorporates those ideas into their own concept of self. This happens in face-to-face interactions, especially with those we are closest with. . This is closely related to the theory of the mind concept that individuals on the autism spectrum struggle to grasp

Symbol

Christian churches have a cross on their buildings for a specific purpose

The 3 parts of a theory are assumptions, concepts and propositions. Propositions describe the relationship between the concepts. Pick two concepts in the theory and present a proposition in terms of how YOU think those two concepts relate.

Concept 1: the main function of a husband and wife is to have and nurture children so they can be acceptable members of society. Concept 2: Deviant behavior refers to any behavior deviate from social norms. At the time this theory was created/accepted a family consisting of a single mother and children would have been considered a deviant behavior. Proposition: willingly participating in deviant behavior, such as choosing to be a single parent, hinders the function of raising children to be acceptable members of society.

Rules result from the redundancy principle and are critical in defining a family

Couples begin to create the rules of their relationship as soon as they meet. Families cannot have an infinite reservoir of possible behavioral responses for every situation, so a few are selected and used over and over again. This is the redundancy principle, which results in family rules. These repetitive patterns of interaction are the rules by which a family lives."

Which of the following is NOT a critique of Symbolic Interactionism Theory?

Does not propose how families can improve

Scapegoat

Hostility, defiance, anger Smokescreen: takes focus temporarily off the alcoholic

Gesture

I walk into a room and see others' facial expressions and how they respond to seeing me in the door.

Lost Child

Loner, withdrawn, aloof Relief: makes no demands

Symbolic Interactionism Theory Assumptions

Most people react to the meaning of the thing. The meaning is often learned from others. A human infant is asocial meaning they are a blank canvas. A sense of self provides motivation for future behavior. People are influenced by society. Everyday interactions provides learning opportunities of rules and values in society.

What does it mean that "the locus of pathology is not within the person, but is a system dysfunction?"

My understanding is that this is similar to the identified patient. The identified patient is the one that the family agrees is having problems (such as drugs, depression, etc.) However, the identified patient is simply showing the symptoms of a dysfunctional family.

conformity

No deviance, social norm

According to Symbolic Interactionism Theory, the researcher or practitioner should:

Pay attention to how individuals interpret events Consider how cultural meanings affects social behavior Look for commonly shared signs and symbols All of the above

Coalition Triangles

Prior to actually forming a coalition triangle, both partners simultaneously attempt to draw a third person into alliance against the other partner. First, they displace God from a neutral position. Second, in their preoccupation with blame, they avoid shared respbnsibility with its focus on productive change.

Negative Feedback loop

Resists change John sneaks out of the house to see his girlfriend, and is caught by his dad when coming home. Dad and Mom discuss together and with John, and he is given consequences. John stops sneaking out, obeying the previously established rule that his parents need to know and approve of where he is going and when

Interaction

Social behavior between two or more people during which some type of communication takes place

Family Hero

Successful, responsible, always does what's right, good natured Worth: compensates for deficits in self-worth of family

T/F Family boundaries can be categorized by their degree of permeability and interaction with the outside environment

TRUE

Game Stage

Take perspective of many people at one time and see how individual fits within that group.

Instrumental

Tasks that need to be performed within a family to ensure its physical survival

Structure

The composition of the family

What is Structural Functionalism Theory?

The function of families is to procreate and socialize children. This theory posits that this is best done by the benchmark family, its terms for the traditional nuclear family of husband, wife, and children with father performing traditional male roles of providing (meeting instrumental needs) and mother primarily meeting the family's expressive (emotional and psychological) needs.

Which of the following research questions would most likely be addressed with Structural Functionalism Theory?

The impact of single parent families on children

Morphogenesis

There are continuous feedback loops as each member speaks to and affects the behaviors of others. When positive feedback is present and system alterations occur, morphogenesis is the result.

How do families maintain or move to a new homeostasis?

Through feedback loops

Play Stage

Use gestures or practice behaviors associated with different roles.

Roles

We learn social expectations as children through playing and then gaming (Mead).

Identified Patient

a person in the family believed by the others to be the major cause of the family problems. in reality is the symptom bearer in a dysfunctional family or the one that carries much of the family burden.

role ambiguity

confusion about expectations

Positive Feedback loop

creates change Kids are issued an iPad by their middle school for schoolwork use. They are also allowed to take it home. Jill has never had her own personal device before, and parents don't think to set up new rules around it. Jill is allowed to set her own rules. She is soon up late at night texting friends, losing sleep, not doing well at school

Adults struggle with role strain

difficulty enacting each role because of multiple demands and competing resources

retreatism

drug addicts, homeless people who retreat from cultural norms

role conflict

two roles at odds with each other