Chapter 7: Family Relationships Flashcards
Family systems approach
An approach to understanding family functioning that emphasizes how each relationship within the family influences the family as a whole.
Dyadic relationships
A relationship between two people.
Disequilibrium
In the family systems approach, the term used to refer to a change/imbalance that requires adjustments from family members.
Caregiver relationship
Between siblings, a relationship in which one sibling typically looks after another.
Buddy relationship
Between siblings, a relationship in which they treat each other as friends.
Critical relationship
Between siblings, a relationship characterized by a high level of conflict and teasing.
Rival relationship
Between siblings, a relationship in which they compete against one another and measure their success against each other.
Casual relationship
Between siblings, a relationship that is not emotionally intense, in which they have little to do with one another.
Parenting styles
Patterns of practices parents exhibit in relation to their children.
Demandingness
The number of rules, expectations for behavioural compliance, and amount of control exerted by parents.
Responsiveness
The degree to which parents are sensitive to their children’s needs and express love, warmth, concern for them.
Authoritative parents
High in demandingness, high in responsiveness.
They love their children but also set clear standards for behaviour and explain to their children the reasons for those standards.
Authoritarian parents
High in demandingness, low in responsiveness.
They require obedience from their children and punish disobedience without compromise, but show little warmth or affection toward them.
Permissive parents
Low in demandingness, high in responsiveness.
They show love and affection toward their children but are permissive with regard to standards for behaviour.
Disengaged parents
Low in demandingness, low in responsiveness.
Parents are relatively uninvolved in their children’s development.
Traditional parenting style
Parents in traditional cultures have high levels of demandingness, expect children to obey without explaining decisions. Not authoritarian; demandingness is tempered by being responsive and warm.
Filial piety
In Asian cultures, children are expected to respect, obey, and revere their parents throughout life.
Familismo
Concept of family life characteristic of Latino cultures that emphasizes the love, closeness, and mutual obligations of family life.
Reciprocal or bidirectional effects
The concept that children are not only affected by their parents but affect their parents in return.
Differential parenting
When parents’ behaviour differs toward siblings within the same family.
Non shared environmental influences
Influences experienced differently among siblings within the same family.
Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment
Attachments between parents and children have an evolutionary basis in the need for vulnerable young members of a species to stay in close proximity to adults who will care for and protect them.
Secure attachment
Infants use caregiver as a “secure base” when all is well; seek physical comfort and consolation from her if frightened or threatened.
Insecure attachment
Infants are timid about exploring the environment and resist or avoid the caregiver when she attempts to offer comfort or consolation.
Internal working model
In attachment theory, the term for the cognitive framework. based on interactions in infancy with the primary caregiver, that shapes expectations and interactions in relationships to others throughout life.
Affective functions
Emotional functions of the family, pertaining to love, nurturance and attachment.
Family structure
The outward characteristics of a family (ex. whether parents are married, how many adults and children live in the house).
Family process
The quality of relationships among family members.
Autonomy
The quality of being independent and self-sufficient, capable of thinking for one’s self.
