Family Theories & Frameworks
What is Family Systems Theory?
This theory views the family as an emotional unit where each member’s behavior affects the whole system.
What is metacommunication?
Communication about Communication
What are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
According to John Gottman, criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling
What are the 4 S’s of healthy development, according to Siegel and Bryson
Safety, Seen, Soothed, and Secure
What are boomerangers?
This term describes adults who return to live with their parents after living independently
What is the Family Life Course Framework?
This framework examines families across various life cycle changes
What is Deborah Tannen's research on gender communication
Men and women often use language differently, with men tending toward status- and information-focused communication (report talk) and women tending toward relationship- and connection-focused communication (rapport talk)
What is adaptability in marriage?
This concept refers to a couple’s ability to adjust to stress, roles, and life changes
What are approaches to discipline?
These parenting methods balance warmth and structure to guide children’s behavior
What is the sandwich generation?
This demographic group cares for both aging parents and dependent children
What is the Structural Functional Perspective?
This perspective focuses on how families function in society
What are Kilmann and Thomas’ five conflict styles
Competing, Collaborating, Compromising, Accommodating, and Avoiding
What is the Process of Divorce
The process of divorce involves emotional, legal, economic, and social transitions that unfold before, during, and after the legal separation
What are cut-offs?
This term describes emotional separation between family members due to unresolved conflict
What is the total fertility rate?
This term refers to the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime
What is Family Ecological Theory?
This theory emphasizes how families interact with larger environments like culture, economy, and institutions
What is pursue/distance?
This relationship pattern occurs when one person pursues closeness and the other withdraws
What biblical passage emphasizes leaving one’s parents to form a new marital union.
Genesis 2:24 (That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh)
What are the effects of divorce on children?
Children of divorce may experience academic, emotional, or relational difficulties, known collectively as this
What is the divorce divide?
This concept describes how divorce rates differ by education and socioeconomic status
What is Family Development Theory?
This theory explains how families change structure and roles across stages of development
(not really in the category) What does it mean to Fall in Love Without Losing Your Mind
This concept emphasizes balancing emotional passion with wisdom, boundaries, and self-control when forming romantic relationships
What is differentiation in marriage?
Differentiation refers to a person’s ability to maintain a clear sense of self while staying emotionally connected to their spouse
(not really in the category) Idiographic vs. Nomothetic approaches
Idiographic approach focuses on understanding families as unique cases, while the nomothetic approach seeks general patterns and laws that apply across many families.
What is endogamy?
This term refers to marrying within one’s own social, cultural, or religious group