1. Chapter 2 – Studying Marriage & Family Instructor: Wendy Crapo

2. FAMILY RESEARCH OBJECTIVITY: Essential for research and statistics. It is the suspending of beliefs or prejudices until you study it. Then you can add values and beliefs back after studying it. CRITICAL THINKING: Clear and unbiased thinking. VALUE JUDGEMENTS: "Everyone should marry" - always has a “should." Today you are all going to be scientists and do research on the family.

3. RESEARCH VOCABULARY EGOCENTRIC FALACY: Feels everyone has the same or should have the same values. ETHNOCENTRIC FALACY: Feels their race is superior. GENERALIZATION: You see it repeatedly and believe it is so (see many bearded men go to KFC = bearded men always go to KFC) BIAS: Strong opinion that may cause barriers to hearing anything that is contrary to our opinion.

4. You see a 16 year old who is unmarried and pregnant. WHAT IS YOU’RE 1ST IMPRESSION OF HER? 1. She’s a slut 2.The boy’s a slime bag

5. The reality is: She got raped. STEREOTYPES: 1st reaction for most people but hopefully we check it and don’t go with it. Simplistic, over generalized, negative opinion that resists change.

6. Research Methods Research always starts with: 1. Topic1. Topic 2. Question2. Question 3. Then test it3. Then test it 4. Analyze it4. Analyze it 5. Report5. Report "I wonder……….. about Marriage? “ Write on board and come up with questions. "I wonder……….. about Marriage? “ Write on board and come up with questions.

7. Research Methods (cont.) SURVEY RESEARCH Most popular Uses questionnaires 1-10 Gives traits and trends Negative: How representative is it? Do we understand selves? Underreporting of negative behaviors?

8. Survey Research Activity: TAKE A STAND ABOUT THE FOLLOWING STATMENTS: Stand on either the agree side of the room or the opposite side which disagrees. 1.I believe it is acceptable to experience sexual intercourse without loving one’s partner. 2.I believe divorce is acceptable except when children are involved. 3.If I have a child, I feel only one parent should work so the other can take care of the child. 4.I believe two or more children are desirable for a married couple. 5.I believe there are household chores that are specifically suited for men and others for women. 6.I believe women are entitled to careers equal to those of men. 7.I believe friendships outside of marriage with the opposite sex are important in a marriage. 8.I believe married couples should not argue in front of their children. 9.I believe children should be made to attend church. 10.If my parents did not like my choice of a marriage partner, I would not marry this person.

9. Research Methods (cont.) CLINICAL CASE STUDY: Gives insight into family processes. Negative: Can't infer about general population.

10. Research Methods (cont.) OBSERVATIONAL: Unobtrusive observation, video possibly. Negative: 1. 1.May hide bad behavior 2. 2.Low correlation between observed behavior and what they say is really going on 3. 3.Private relationships are not observable.

11. Research Methods (cont.) Uses variables, independent and dependent These can be manipulated by change Correlational variables relate 2 naturally occurring variables and determine their relationship. NEGATIVES: All methods or research have limitations and are usually on Caucasians. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH:

12. Theories SYMBOLIC: Relationships, interactions. Family myths of what people expect out of marriage and relationships. Negative: Minimize power, no accounting for psychological aspects, emphasizes individualism.

13. Theories (cont.) SOCIAL EXCHANGE: Reward - cost = outcome (What am I getting out of this relationship?) Equity: equal exchanges. Negative: we aren't always rational, sometimes altruistic. Values on rewards/costs which vary with the individual.

14. Theories (cont.) STRUCTURAL FUNCTION: How families relate to society. Subsystems of family serve the whole. (basically a dead theory) Negative: can't test it. Function not clear. Which family functions are vital? Bias against change. Low relevance to real world.

15. Theories (cont.) CONFLICT THEORY: Competing forces, conflict not bad. Power: legitimacy, money, physical coercion, love. Negative: conflict rarely good. Tends to ignore affect of love. Differences don't always lead to conflict. Not easily measured.

16. Theories (cont.) FEMENIST MOVEMENTS: An idea, not really a theory but they have had an effect. Imbalance of power is the core - equality. Lead to men's studies. Negative: not a unified theory, variety of viewpoints.

17. Theories (cont.) FAMILY SYSTEMS: Combines structure function and symbolic interaction. Boundaries important. Interactions part of system. System has a goal that transforms over time. Negative: Not sure on definition

18. Aware Quiz: Family Strengths

19. Defining the Levels of Family Closeness

20. Defining the levels of Family Flexibility

21. Family Map for Graphing Your Family

22. Family Map (example)

23. A Family Circumplex Model

24. (cont.) Theories (cont.) FAMILY DEVELOPMENT THEORY: Life span changes Negative: Downplays diversity that all families are not the same. Lots of variation in gender, class, race, ethnicity. Show family life cycle and discuss. Suggest newly wed needs to change boundaries with family and friends and open up boundaries with spouse.

25. Family Life Cycle

26. Role Play and Analyze Male and female volunteer to role play a couple in the decision-making process about family work. Class is to analyze the role play according to tenants of Social exchange theory Family systems Conflict theory Feminist perspective

27. Vocabulary 1. 1.Bias: Strong opinions that may cause barriers to hearing anything that is contrary to our opinion. 2. 2.Case study method: Individual interviews, traditional and most common. 3. 3.Clinical Research: In depth investigation of individual or group who comes to therapy. 4. 4.Conflict Theory: Based on belief that life involves discord and power struggles.

28. Vocabulary 5. 5.Egocentric Fallacy: Mistaken belief that everyone has the same experience. 6. 6.Ethnocentric Fallacy: Based on belief that ones own ethnic group is superior. 7. 7.Gender Ideologies: Belief of what men and women "should" do. 8. 8.Homeostasis: Stability patterns we are accustomed to.

29. Vocabulary (cont.) 9. 9.Interaction: Reciprocal act. 10. 10.Independent Variable: Factors can be manipulated or changed in an experiment. 11. 11.Objectivity: Based on scientific findings. 12. 12.Stereotypes: Simplistic, over generalization, negative opinions that resist change.