Final Exam question bank Flashcards
Positivism Paradigm
Family Development Theory, Exchange Theory
Fact
Things that just are, for example gravity.
For example scientific experiments: have the purpose of being able to Control what is studied and predict the outcome.
Deterministic: Cause and Effect.
Interpretive Paradigm
Symbolic Theory, Structural Theory and Systems Theory
Opposite of Positivism
“It depends.” What is important is how each person interprets it regardless of fact.
In other words, it’s the book we write, which may or may not be based on the actual but rather because we believe it is our truth.
Conflict/Critical paradigm
Feminist Theory and Conflict Theory
There are 2 groups of people the Haves and Have-nots. Life is viewed as conflict between the 2 groups. These theories raise consciousness of oppression and prejudice, etc. Generally:
The Haves do NOT want change and
The Have-nots DO want change which can result in revolution, systems changes, etc.
The Conflict and Feminist family theories both stem from the Conflict paradigm. Explain how and why they fit with this paradigm, and explain the key differences in the two theories.
Have and have nots
Both discuss privilege and power
Those in power resist change and those without power want change
equity vs equality
Equity involves people having what they need to enjoy full, healthy lives.
Equality, in contrast, aims to ensure that everyone gets the same things in order to enjoy full, healthy lives.
Like equity, equality aims to promote fairness and justice, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same things.
Management vs change/praxis
inclusive vs female exclusive
non activist vs activist
Global vs critiques include not global
What’s your favorite theory and why? In answering the why, make sure to discuss the concepts and assumptions and their utility (why they are useful in your mind.)
Systems Theory The system (family) works together to maintain homeostasis; individuals affect one another.
individuals understood in context of families
families self-regulate through feedback
locus of pathology
Homeostasis Set point Double bind identified patient morphogenesis first and second order change boundaries positive and negative feedback loops (how systems maintain homeostasis) Rules - implicit, explicit
The theory is too general; too global and abstract. Concepts are poorly defined
Feminists too have found fault with the systems metaphor for assuming families function according to specific systemic rules divorced from their social, historical, economic, and political contexts
“Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). How are inductive and deductive reasoning important in gaining truth and knowledge? Make sure to discuss how the research process uses both of these (give examples like in the Wallace Wheel). (needs more)
Induction- observe (looking for truth), gathering information, formulate ideas
Deductions- start with a theory,
set free from defensiveness or distorted thoughts etc. (things that aren’t true hold us back) – stories that we tell ourselves
deductive- Theory, hypothesis, design research, observation.
“All men are mortal, Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates is mortal.” Top down. Guarantee of truth.
inductive observation, generalization, theory construction, theory.
from the specific to the general. Moves from observed date to a generalized explanation, grounded theories. Works from the ground up. Likelihood of truth.
truth - set free from defensiveness or distorted thoughts etc. (things that aren’t true hold us back) – stories that we tell ourselves, predict, frees us up to make progress.
Either can inform the other- symbolic relationship
Communication Dynamics: Explain how triangles work to diffuse tension between people. Describe the “perverse triangle” and how it relates to unrighteous dominion in families.
10 Perverse triangles- unrighteous dominion- take God out of his neutral position
Divine Triangle
- God in the Triangle as individuals reach for Him to be part of their marriage (healthy)
- God in the Triangle wherein He is used to diffuse tension (unhealthy). An unhealthy use is when you triangle Him in to make your point rather than sharing your feelings and thoughts directly.
When you use God as a weapon or means to control another that is unhealthy. When you turn to God that is healthy.
Perverse- Coalition triangles- create a coalition with the other person against your spouse
Healthy triangle- work together to solve problems
Displaced triangles- blame God for their problems
Substitute triangle- person clinging to God to avoid marriage problems, distanced from their spouse.
Differentiated – known the difference between thoughts and feelings, have your own identity, opposite of enmeshment
Critiques of the Family Development Theory
Non-traditional families are not considered. The assumption that the stages are universally experienced by all families- best describes the trajectory of intact, two-parent, heterosexual nuclear families
The bias toward the experience of a single generation
Key Terms of Family Development Theory
Transitions, Norms, Developmental task, Roles.
The process of changing and adapting is known as making a transition- a stressor exerts force on the family system which pressures it to change and adapt)
Advantages of FDT
focus on the influence of societal norms, predicts family change, describes changing roles and families mature.
Assumptions of structural functionalism
primary purpose of families is to procreate and socialize children
- the intact nuclear family of husband, wife, and their children is the ideal structure.
- All systems have functions.
Institutionalization of marriage
I mean the weakening of the social norms that define people’s behavior
The existence of alternative arrangements, however, does not represent a change to the institution of marriage itself. Indeed, they can provide evidence for the continuing strength of the institution of marriage. Even though it is not popular, the vast majority of people hope to and are eventually marrying!
Formula for structural functionalism
(What is the) Need - met by creating structure/system (functions of the structure)
Define Symbolic Interactionism
People will react to something according to the meaning that that thing has for them (the meaning being created through our interactions with society, culture, and other people)- grounded in research. “It depends” theory.
Critiques of the symbolic interactionism theory
concepts poorly defined
- Does not give enough attention to either the importance of emotions or the role of the unconscious.
- Places too much emphasis on the ability of individuals to create their own realities and does not pay enough attention to the fact that we live in a world that we do not create by ourselves.
- The role is power is often neglected
- Lack of attention to the role of Biology
Me and I
Mead His name starts with M-E, so he had the “Me” and “I” idea.
- Play stage- child tries to use gestures to practice behavior associated with different roles. Focus on a single role
- Game stage- children take on the perspectives of many people at one time- how does the individual fit in a group. Understand the role of each person in a family.
I- spontaneous acts which are unpredictable and unstable. Mosiah 3:19 The natural man is the I
Me- learned roles that are determined by interactions with others, thinking part of ourselves, what would others think (social self) – Struggle for those with Autism
looking glass self
Cooley= His name has 2 O’s in a row which look like glasses, so he had the “looking-glass self” idea.
Individuals think about how they appear to others, make a judgment about what the other person thinks about them, and then incorporate those ideas into their own concept of self.
- Gestures give impression of how we appear to others
- Assessment of how others are evaluating us- awareness of how others see us.
- Self-evaluation- pride or mortification based on other’s perceived assessments.
Correlation – positive and negative change
direction correlation is not causation
Discuss what family theories are
abstract and general ideas, inform research
A tool used to understand and describe the world.
Or abstract and general ideas that are subject to rules of organization.
A set of interconnected ideas that emerge from the process of systematically formulating and organizing ideas.
define assumptions
beliefs that are accepts as a given, true without being tested. (Can be difficult to discern)
Hegel’s Theory- Conflict Theory
- Thesis- an accepted idea (the current way that we do things)
- Antithesis- an opposition idea to the thesis- challenges the thesis
- Synthesis- a stable middle ground that is reached when both aspects are combined (thesis & antithesis) – becomes the new thesis.
Define boundaries
Boundaries - Boundaries are lines of demarcation that distinguish a system from its environment and affect the flow of energy and information between the two. A family maintains its boundaries by filtering out any external elements that seem hostile to the goals and policies of the family while at the same time incorporating those that are deemed beneficial.
- Open- democratic, rights of individuals is protected, consensus and flexibility
- Random- no boundaries, few rules, disengaged
- Closed- enmeshed, overly involved in each other’s lives, individual identities are not permitted, closed off from much of the outside world
first and second order change
First order change- superficial change, minor structural change, but really the exact same system. Substitute one addiction for another. The system, still the same, is vulnerable to relapse.
Second order change- major change in which the system I altered. Family is reorganized with new interactional patterns. Change is dramatic and enduring.
positive and negative feedback loops
Positive feedback loop- pushes for change (motivated by input) Deviate from the norm
Negative feedback loop- tries to keep things the same
Understand how systems maintain homeostasis- Purpose of feedback loops is to regain homeostasis
Homeostasis
(steady state) maintenance of the status quo - equilibrium, families try to achieve it, not always healthy,
