Family Studies Exam

Symbolic Interactionism

Focuses on how individuals create and interpret meanings through social interactions and symbols (gestures, words, facial expressions).

Functionalism

Society is organized to perform functions effectively. Families serve specific functions and members fill roles to maintain stability.

Systems Theory

Examines how family members interact as a system to maintain stability.

Exchange Theory

People make choices by maximizing benefits and minimizing costs. Relationships are stable when benefits equal costs.

Conflict Theory

Society is divided into those with power and those without power. Those with resources and wealth have more power and can exploit others.

Life Course Approach

Examines behaviours and development across life stages using biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors.

Primary Source

Original firsthand evidence or research conducted by the researcher.

Secondary Source

Interprets, analyzes, or summarizes primary sources.

Addition

Families add new members to society through reproduction.

Physical Maintenance

Families care for and protect one another.

Socialization

Families teach children values, skills, and norms.

Social Control

Families regulate behaviour to maintain order.

Production/Consumption

Families produce and consume goods and services.

Affective Nurturance

Families provide emotional support and motivation.

APSSPA

Addition, Physical Maintenance, Socialization, Social Control, Production/Consumption, Affective Nurturance.

Early Families

Hunters and gatherers with loosely organized family structures.

Pre-Industrial Families

Family homes became centres of economic production through cottage industries.

Industrial Nuclear Family

Motherhood became women's primary role and childhood innocence was valued.

Modern Consumer Family

Father as provider, mother as homemaker, children protected and disciplined.

Transitional Family

Mother temporarily leaves the workforce to raise children.

Blended Family

Formed when divorced parents with children remarry.

Nuclear Family

Two parents and their children with defined gender and age roles.

Socialization

Learning appropriate social behaviours to participate in society.

Primary Socialization

Occurs from birth to adolescence, mainly influenced by family.

Secondary Socialization

Lifelong process of adjusting to new situations and learning outside the family.

Anticipatory Socialization

Preparing for future roles and statuses.

Resocialization

Learning new behaviours when entering new situations.

Individualism

Values independence and self-reliance.

Collectivism

Values interdependence and prioritizes group needs over individual needs.

Code-Switching

Changing behaviour, language, or values depending on the social setting.

Semi-Dependence

Emerging adults rely partially on parents while becoming independent.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Adolescents define who they are and who they want to become. Successful resolution leads to a stable identity.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Young adults form close relationships and commitments. Strong identity is necessary for meaningful intimacy.

Jane Loevinger

Believed ego development is central to human growth.

Conformist Stage

Sees life in black-and-white terms.

Self-Aware Stage

Recognizes differences in feelings and opinions.

Conscientious Stage

Appreciates others as individuals in reciprocal relationships.

Cohabitation

Living together before marriage, often as preparation for marriage.

Halo Effect

Assuming positive traits based on one favourable characteristic, often attractiveness.

Intermarriage

Marriage between people from different racial, ethnic, social, or religious groups.

Divorce

Legal dissolution of marriage.

Instrumental Role (Men)

Goal-oriented role focused on providing for the family.

Expressive Role (Women)

Emotional role focused on nurturing and supporting the family.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory

Love consists of passion, intimacy, and commitment.

Passion

Physical attraction and excitement.

Intimacy

Emotional closeness and trust.

Commitment

Decision to maintain the relationship.

Principle of Least Interest

The person least invested in the relationship has the most power.

Social Homogamy

Attraction to people with similar social and cultural backgrounds.

Ideal Mate Theory

Childhood experiences shape unconscious standards for choosing partners.

Courtship

Behaviours used to win the affection of potential partners.

Definition of Marriage

A socially legitimate sexual union intended to be permanent.

Canadian Definition of Marriage

The voluntary union of two persons to the exclusion of all others.

Functionalist View of Marriage

Marriage is a social institution that meets basic human needs.

Characteristics of a Successful Marriage

Similar values, shared leisure activities, pooled income, shared power, common friends, and an active social life.

6 Universal Functions of the Family (APSSPA)

Addition, Physical Maintenance, Socialization, Social Control, Production/Consumption, Affective Nurturance.

Code-Switching

Adjusting behaviour depending on the social environment.

Effects of Divorce on Children

Economic insecurity, emotional insecurity, weakened relationships, disrupted routines, developmental and academic challenges.