Theories for Studying Family Violence Chapter Three Theories for Studying Family Violence

Grand Theories Conflict Theory Structural-Functionalist Theory Symbolic Interaction Theory

Conflict Theory Founder: Karl Marx (1818-1883) Key concepts: Inequality is relational Inequality is based on the relationship one has to the means of production 2 classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat

Structural-Functionalist Theory Founders: Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton Key Concepts: Societies are like organisms Societies keep patterns that are functional Social change comes only out of disfunction

Symbolic Interaction Theory Founders: George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley Key Concepts: Everything is socially constructed Meaning is made only in relationship Beliefs, including stereotypes, shape attitudes and behaviors

Theories of the Middle Range Feminist Theory Race, Class, and Gender Theory

Feminist Theory Cynthia Fuchs-Epstein says “The divide of biological sex constitutes a marker around which all major institutions of society are organized.  All societal institutions assign roles based on the biological sex of their members. The divisions of labor in the family, local and global labor forces, political entities, most religious systems, and nation-states are all organized according to the sexual divide” (2007, 4).

Race, Class, and Gender Theory

Theories that attempt to explain a single Phenomenon Criminology Theories Social Control Theory Differential Association Theory

Criminology Theories Strain theory Robert K. Merton Stress and alienation lead to strain Individuals respond to strain often in deviant ways Which one are you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT1WMVjbEdk

Social Control Theory Travis Hirschi Key Concepts: Social Bonds function to keep people feeling connected and not engaging in deviance. A lack of social bonds will lead to deviant behavior “In terms of family violence, social control theorists ask what controls individuals from acting on the obvious motivations to engage in violence (Payne & Gainey 62).

Differential Association Theory Edwin Sutherland Key Concepts: Deviance is learned through socialization The more one is exposed to deviance the more likely one is to adopt deviant patterns of behavior

Theories Specific to Family Violence Family Violence Theory Intimate Terrorism Versus Situational Couple Violence Psychological Theories

Family Violence Theory Notable scholars: Straus and Gelles People hit because they can People with more power abuse those with less power

Intimate Terrorism Versus Situational Couple Violence mutual combat intimate terrorism situation couple violence

Psychological Theories Assume that deviance develops in people with (1) psychological problems, (2) mental illness or (3) mental health issues like alcoholism Milgram demonstrated that the average person is susceptible to harming others Watch the Milgram Experiments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE5M_qp6lg4&feature=player_embedded#!

Theories of Elder Abuse and Child Abuse Situational Theory Exchange Theory Social Learning Theory

Situational Theory: Elder Abuse and Child Abuse A quick reference: http://pathwayscourses.samhsa.gov/elab/elab_2_pg12.htm

Exchange Theory Incorporated into some aspects of family violence theory Assumes that all relationships are based on rules of exchange Violence can emerge when the person in power believes they are giving too much or not getting what they deserve (child abuse and elder abuse)

Social Learning Theory Assumes that all behavior is learned Socialization occurs in social institutions: families, churches, teams, schools Children learn to be partners and parents from their own parents Abusers can be resocialized!