Relational Influences Flashcards
conflict
occurs when there is a perception that two parties have incompatible goals, ideas or behaviours, or when an individual’s needs aren’t met
mirror-image perceptions
− occurs when each party tends to form reciprocal and distorted perceptions of the other that are remarkably a like
−tend to refer to ‘them’ as incompetent or untrustworthy, evil or immoral
−tend to refer to ‘us’ as a model of competence, integrity, virtue, have high moral values
−‘our’ motives are positive, ‘their’ motives are negative
−e.g. mother is convinced her son leaves his room messy to her, son is convinced that his mum tidies his room to irritate him
imposed solutions
-dictated solutions
-one party is stronger – imposes solution
-third party may be an imposed solution; e.g. mother settling dispute between siblings
-usually lead to one party winning and one party being dissatisfied
∴ underlying conflict may be unresolved
distributive solutions
−involve compromise or mutual concessions
−e.g. wages are set at a level somewhere between that desired by employers and employees
integrative solutions
−often called win-win solutions
−both sides benefit
−more difficult than reaching compromise as it involves understanding both parties’ motives, values, goals
−ensures motives of each party is addressed rather than focusing on explicit demands
Follet (1940, cited in Thompson & Hastie, 1990)
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISTRIBUTIVE AND INTEGRATIVE
−showed difference between distributive and integrative
−dispute over orange
−compromise by cutting in half - distributive
−however, one drank juice threw away peel, other used peel and threw away juice
−integrative would have been one sister have all the peel, other have all the juice
Counselling
−one or both parties may choose to work with counsellor to develop skills to deal with conflict or to solve conflict directly
−counsellors often help clients to solve their own problems, rather than providing the solutions
−often help improve listening skills so they actually ‘hear’ the other party
−also improve their assertiveness – so they can express opinions and concerns in a non-aggressive manner
Negotiation
−involved parties who have some shared and some opposing interests coming together to try to reach agreement
−successful negotiation is an integrative solution – though at times negotiation may break down bc party fails to understand positions and goals
Mediation and arbitration
−involve bring third parties to help settle conflict
−mediators help parties to focus on issues and reach voluntary solution
−in arbitration, third party has right to impose a solution after hearing both sides
−advantages; improve relationship, help them see common ground, bring new ieas
Divorce Mediation
−mediation and other forms of dispute resolution have been used to deal with conflict of parting parents
−used to reduce burden on family law courts and reduce negative impact of ongoing litigation on children and family relationships
Robert Emery (2005) Effectiveness of mediation
−longitudinal study evaluated effectiveness of mediation as opposed to adversarial settlement
−12 years long
−followed progress of parting couples who had been randomly allocated to a mediation or a court settlement group
−mediation was found it can:
settle a large % of cases otherwise headed to court
possibly speed settlement, save money and increase compliance with agreements
increase party satisfaction
improve relationships between non-residential parents and children
improve relationships between divorced parents
−helped parents see that for commitment to ongoing, long-term parenting cooperation; providing an opportunity to address emotional issues; help parents establish businesslike relationship
socialisation
acquiring the beliefs, values and behaviours that are thought to be important and appropriate to function effectively as a member of society
agents of socialisation
factors that affect socialisation e.g. families, schools, mass media, religion
Attachment
−formation of a strong emotional tie between a mother and her baby
−claimed there is a sensitive period this can occur; failure can lead to harmful effects later in life e.g. poor social and emotional development
attachment in monkeys harry harlow (1959)
−studied role of nursing in attachment in 8 monkeys that had been separated from their mother’s at birth
−reared in a cage w/ 2 surrogate mothers made of mesh wire (similar in shape and size to own mother)
−1 covered in cloth, other uncovered
−bottle attached to one of the mothers; half was attached to wire, half attached to cloth
−predicted that attachment was based on feeding and monkey would prefer the bottle mother
−found that regardless of whether cloth mother had the bottle or not, the infant would spend more time there
−preference of mothers was tested through introduction of stressful situation; all infants went to cloth mother
−concluded that ‘contact comfort’ was more important in attachment
−IMPORTANT that generalisation from animals to humans should be treated cautiously
attachment in humans john bowlby (1907-1990)
−According to bowlby’s evolutionary perspective, children who are always close to their mothers would have avoided predators and grown up to have children of their own
−Believed there is sensitive period where infants imprinted by early contanct w/ mothers
−Did not rule out possibility of other attachment figures
−Believed there should be a primary bond (more important than any other) – monotropy
−Failure or breakdown of this lead to negative consequences
−Maternal deprivation; separation from, or loss of, the mother, as well as to the failure to develop a attachment
−Long-term consequences of maternal deprivation;
Delinquency
Reduced intelligence
Increased aggression
Depression
An inability to show affection/concern for others
−Primary caregiver acts as a prototype for future relationships via internal working model
Model of others as being trustworthy
Model of the self as valuable
A model of the self as effective when interacting with other
Ainsworth (1970) steps in strange situation
- Observer introduces parent and infant to experimental room (which there are toys) and then leaves room
- Mother sits in room while infant plays/explores
- Stranger comes into room. Is silent, then speaks to mother, the approaches infant
- (first separation) mother leaves. Stranger left with infant and gears behaviour to that of infant
- (first reunion) mother returns, greets/comforts infant and re-engages infant in playing. Stranger leaves room
- (second separation) mother leaves room, saying bye
- stranger re-enters room and gears behaviour to that of infant
- (second reunion) mother returns, greets/comforts infant and picks infant up. Stranger leaves
Type A
ANXIOUS-AVOIDANT INFANTS: showed their insecurity by ignoring their mothers, failing to look at her and not trying to be close to her
Type B
SECURE INFANTS: they used their mother as a secure base from which to explore the room
Type C
ANXIOUS-RESISTANT INFANTS: they showed their insecurity by resisting their mothers, such as by clinging on to her but also kicking and pushing away
Van Ijzendoon and Kronberg (1988)
−Carried out an analysis of studies involving 32 samples from 8 countries to look at differences between countries
−Found all 3 types where present in all cultures
−Differences within cultures were greater than differences between cultures
−Type B most common in all countries
−Type C more common in Japan and Isreal
−Type A more common in western European
Sagi (1994)
−High proportion of children raised in Israeli kibbutzim had Type C attachment to mothers
−Likely due to sleeping arrangements
−Infants are moved to an ‘infant house’ at 6 weeks
−Small group of professional carers, with mother visiting to feed and bathe
−Two watchwomen to care at night
−Means there was delay in attending to infants needs during night and no stable relationship with an adult at night
Parenting
−Parents influence children
−Children (easy/difficult baby) influence how parents react to them and raise them
−Relationship between parents affect parenting
−Cox (1989) found mothers with close/supportive relationship with their partners are more likely to be patient/nurturing towards child
−Responsiveness; level of support and affection shown by a parent – the degree to which they smile at, praise and encourage their children
−Control; the extent that parents supervise and regulate their children’s behaviour
authoritarian parenting
demand obedience from children. Set many rules and give few explanations for them. Not interested in alternative viewpoints that children may have. Use power or withdrawal of love to enforce rules. Both demanding and strict, with high expectations of compliance to parental rules and demands
Authoritative parenting
style that sets limits for children. Parents demands are reasonable and make sure children understand the why. More responsive to their children’s viewpoints. As children get older try get them in the decision-making process. Warm and responsive, yet expect children to follow rules. Expect mature/independent/age-appropriate behaviours
Children are: More achievement orientated, better social skills, confident and stayed clear of drugs and other problems
Permissive Parenting
provides parental acceptance of children. Few rules/guidelines. Parent rarely tries to control behaviour. More of a frien
Uninvolved Parenting
displayed by parents who have either rejected their children or who are so overwhelmed by the stresses in their own lives that they have no time or energy for children. No set limits.
Children are: prone to temper tantrums, more likely to be involved in criminal acts
Blended family
a couple family containing two or more children, of whom at least 1 is the natural child of both members of the couple, at least one is stepchild
Child
person of any age who is a natural, step or foster son or daughter of a couple or lone parent. Doesn’t have child/partner of their own in household
Dependent Child
all family members under 15, 15-19 years (if attending school), 15-24 years (if attending tertiary education
Family
two or more persons, one of whom is aged 15 years and over, who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, step or fostering in same household
Intact family
couple family containing at least 1 child who it’s the natural/foster child of both members of couple
Non-dependent child
in couple or one-parent families, sons or daughters who are over 15 and 15-24 year olds aren’t in full time schooling
One-parent family
consisting of one parent with at least one dependent or non-dependent chil
Other family
family of related individuals in same household – individuals don’t form a couple or parent-child relationship e.g. brother and sister only
Step family
couple family containing one or more children, at least one of whom is the stepchild of either member of the couple and none of who is the natural/foster of both memembers of the couple
Factors influencing nature of families
Demographic changes – fewer children in families and people living longer
Economic changes – globalisation, a focus on competition and profits
Women in the workforce – the impact on caring for children, particularly access to quality out-of-home child care
Changes in family structure
Increased technology
Formal grandparenting
these grandparents provide special outings and activities at birthdays and other occasions. Tend to be 65+ years
fun-seeking grandparents
these grandparents are typically around 50 and enjoy playing and other informal activities with young children
remote grandparents
these grandparents have little social or psychological investment in their grandchildren, often a result of physical distance
parent-surrogate grandparents
these grandparents take over the child-care responsibilities when parents are absent due to work, divorce or death
‘fonts of wisdom’ grandparents
these grandparents maintain family traditions and provide links with previous generations. They are the storytellers and the ones who impart wisdom, memories and skills to the new generations
