Interpersonal Comm Notes: Family

Family

Split into Involuntary and Voluntary

Involuntary family

Members related by blood or marriage (in-laws)
You don't get to choose who is included in your family

Voluntary family

Members chosen to be included as family, not related genetically
Friends, romantic partner

Socio-orientation

Conformity orientation
-Similarity is valued over individuality and self-expression
- Harmony is preferred over expression of opinion

Concept orientation

Conversation orientation
-Freedom of expression is encouraged
-Communication is frequent
-Family life is pleasurable

Family Communication Patterns

Pluralistic
Laissez-faire
Consensual
Protective

Consensual Style

High Socio- Orientation and High Concept-Orientation
Pressure for agreement between parents and children

Protective Style

High Socio-Orientation, Low Concept-Orientation
Strong emphasis on child obedience and family harmony

Pluralistic Style

Low Socio-Orientation, High Concept-Orientation
Emphasis on mutual respect and interests

Laissez-faire Style

Low Socio-Orientation, Low Concept-Orientation
Children are more likely to be influenced by external forces from outside the family

Family Structure

way a family assigns roles to its members

Family functions

Family evolution

Internal Functions of Family

Providing care
Socialization
Emotional support

External functions

Transmission of cultural values
Accommodation to cultural change

Family life cycle

1. Young Singles

2. Young Couples (no kids)

3. Full Nest One (Pre-school children)

4. Full Nest Two (School-Aged Children

5. Full Nest Three (Older Children)

6. Empty Nest One (Still Working, Launched Children)

7. Empty Nest Two (Retired)

8. Solitary Survivor (Retired)

Family Evolution

Stressful contact with outside sources
Illness or death of a family member

Strategies for Coping with Family Change

Anticipate change
Encourage family cohesion
Stay adaptable with contingency plan

Sibling hostility

trouble, fights, teasing, taking things without permission
hostility - higher levels of aggression, anxiety, depression, loneliness

Sibling warmth

share secrets, help each other, teach each other, physical affection, share possessions
Warmth - engage in pro-social behaviors

Sibling Relationships

Hostile
Uninvolved
Affect Intense
Harmonious

Hostile Relationship

higher levels of aggression; internalize problems
(High Hostility, Low Warmth)

Harmonious Relationship

Close friendships;low levels of problematic behavior
(High Warmth, Low hostility)

Affect Intense Relationship

more satisfying than hostility relationships, often found in divorced families
(High Warmth, High Hostility)

Uninvolved Relationship

don't have problems or affect-intense or hostile relationships nor benefits of harmonious relationships
(Low Hostility, Low Warmth)

Ways of parental discipline

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