lecture three theories of family interaction north seattle community college cmn 145

Lecture Lecture

Three Theories of Family Three Theories of Family InteractionInteraction

North Seattle North Seattle Community CollegeCommunity College

CMN 145CMN 145

3 Different Views3 Different Views

1.1. Systems PerspectiveSystems Perspective

2.2. Symbolic InteractionSymbolic Interaction

3.3. Dialectic TheoryDialectic Theory

1. Systems Perspective1. Systems Perspective

In a systems perspective of families, In a systems perspective of families, persons are considered as part of an persons are considered as part of an overall context, not as individuals. overall context, not as individuals.

Communication is central to Communication is central to understanding a family as a system understanding a family as a system (relationships are established, (relationships are established, maintained, and changed by maintained, and changed by communication)communication)


Characteristics:Characteristics:

1.1. InterdependenceInterdependence

2.2. Wholeness (sum is greater than Wholeness (sum is greater than parts)parts)

3.3. Patterns (communication patterns Patterns (communication patterns that make life predictable, i.e, rules)that make life predictable, i.e, rules)

4.4. Interactive ComplexityInteractive Complexity



1.1. Interactive Complexity (each act Interactive Complexity (each act triggers new behavior as well as triggers new behavior as well as responds to previous behaviors –responds to previous behaviors –thus it is impossible to assign blame thus it is impossible to assign blame to one person)to one person)

2.2. Complex relationships – challenges Complex relationships – challenges hierarchical understandinghierarchical understanding



1.1. Equifinality – “A particular final Equifinality – “A particular final state may be accomplished in state may be accomplished in different ways and from different different ways and from different starting points” (Littlejohn, 2002).starting points” (Littlejohn, 2002).

2.2. Communication – family systems Communication – family systems are constituted by the are constituted by the communication processcommunication process


Limitations:Limitations:

1.1. Gender Issues – systems theory has been Gender Issues – systems theory has been criticized for ignoring the historical criticized for ignoring the historical inequality between males and females in inequality between males and females in families. Certain feminist scholars argue families. Certain feminist scholars argue that the patriarchal nature of family life that the patriarchal nature of family life goes unchallenged, and an assumed goes unchallenged, and an assumed equality of marital power is misleading. equality of marital power is misleading. (A systems theory assumes the victim (A systems theory assumes the victim shares equal responsibility for the abuse)shares equal responsibility for the abuse)



1.1. Individual Concerns – Systems theory Individual Concerns – Systems theory tends to overlook the individual, or tends to overlook the individual, or psychobiological issues (genetic psychobiological issues (genetic components of disease). This resulted in components of disease). This resulted in inappropriate responsibility being inappropriate responsibility being assigned to family members for actions assigned to family members for actions of individuals suffering from illnesses. of individuals suffering from illnesses.



1.1. Contextual Issues – Cultural Contextual Issues – Cultural differences may not be recognized differences may not be recognized if patterns focused only on the if patterns focused only on the nuclear family are examined. nuclear family are examined.

2. Symbolic Interaction2. Symbolic Interaction

Symbolic interaction is a meaning-Symbolic interaction is a meaning-centered theory which states that centered theory which states that human beings act according to the human beings act according to the meanings they attribute to their meanings they attribute to their actions and context.actions and context.

Meaning arises out of the process of Meaning arises out of the process of interaction between people.interaction between people.

Meanings are handled through an Meanings are handled through an interpretive processinterpretive process

3. Dialectic Theory3. Dialectic Theory

Relationships are shaped and Relationships are shaped and maintained by the ways members maintained by the ways members manage contradictions and tensions manage contradictions and tensions both between family members and both between family members and the family and the ecosystem the family and the ecosystem (openness-closedness, predictability (openness-closedness, predictability – novelty)– novelty)

Lecture material excerpted from Lecture material excerpted from Family CommunicationFamily Communication, Kathleen , Kathleen Galvin et al., Chapter 3.Galvin et al., Chapter 3.

lecture three theories of family interaction north seattle community college cmn 145

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