Final Exam Material - Fundamental of Communication and Media Studies

study my notes after class

Family

a system of complex structure defined through communication, allows you to create your identity, has patterned meaningful messages, has a collective identity, and  goes through predictable and expected tasks.

Dependency (family)

the reliance of family members on each other for emotional, financial, and social support, which greatly influences individual identity and family dynamics.

Internal Functions of the Family

functions that provide care (mom kissing a boo boo), socialization (sibling being your first bestie), helps you create your identity, learn about social norms, fosters intellectual development (being read stories and taught the alphabet), recreation (game nights and vacations), and emotional support .

External Functions of the Family

functions that involve the family's role in society, such as providing a sense of belonging, facilitating social integration, engaging with community resources, and maintaining cultural traditions.

Power-Authority Structure

the distribution of power and authority among family members, influencing decision-making, roles, and responsibilities within the family unit.

Positional (power-authority structure)

who’s in control - authority based on position or role, leading to clear lines of decision-making and responsibility.

Person-oriented (power-authority structure)

delegates power to who’s best equipped, fosters collaboration and shared responsibilities among family members. (ex: language power, tech power)

Decision Making Structure

Consensus (decision making structure)

A decision-making process where all members work together to reach an agreement that everyone can support.

Accommodation (decision making structure)

A decision making structure where individuals adjust their views to reach a mutual agreement, allowing for compromise and collaboration among participants. (ex: little kid is crying and being annoying so we just do what he wants to get him to shut up)

De Facto (decision making structure)

A decision determined by circumstance (ex: everyone’s hungry on the road trip so they eat whatever is on the way to the destination) rather than by formal rules or agreements.

Interaction Structure

how info is disseminated through the family within communication methods(ex: chain, wheel, and all-channel networks).

wheel

interaction structure hat connects all other members, allowing information to flow through a central point.

chain

interaction structure that passes information from one member to the next in a linear manner.

all-channel network

interaction structure - where all members can communicate directly with each other, facilitating open and non-hierarchical information exchange.

Boundaries

define limits of communication within a network, determining what information can be shared and with whom.

Internal boundaries

what information can be shared within the family, how much autonomy (independence),

External boundaries

separates families from others, how things flow outside the family, how membership is determined and what information is permissible to share with outsiders.

Open Family (boundaries)

families with flexible boundaries that allow free flow of information and interaction between members and outsiders. (open external boundaries)

Closed Family (boundaries)

families with rigid boundaries that restrict communication and limit interaction with outsiders, maintaining secrecy and protecting internal affairs. (closed external boundaries)

Cohesion

the degree of closeness and connection among family members, promoting emotional bonding and support within the family unit.

Connected Family

a family that fosters strong emotional ties and open communication among members, encouraging connection and shared experiences.

Mesh Family

a family structure that emphasizes interconnectedness and collaboration, allowing for fluid boundaries and shared responsibilities among its members. (can be unhealthy)

Separated Family

a family structure where members live apart from each other, often leading to reduced emotional contact and support between them.

Disengaged Family

a family characterized by emotional detachment and lack of communication among members, leading to isolation and minimal interaction.

Rules (in a family)

the limits of acceptable behavior and reflect family values

obligatory (regulative rules)

musts: rules that dictate required behavior within a family, establishing expectations and standards for interactions among members.

prohibited (regulative rules)

must nots (ex: no drugs, no cursing, no staying out late, no getting arrested)

appropriate (regulative rules)

shoulds: rules that guide acceptable behavior within a family, promoting positive interactions and relationships among members. (not required but nice to do)

irrelevant (regulative rules)

rules that depend on the family context, personal and cultural differences (ex: underage drinking and son vs daughter privileges)

Constitutive Rules

unwritten rules that might bring shame to family if done or not done