1. Week 10: Interpersonal Relationship Types

2. Family Relationships
Family includes the children, relatives, and assorted significant others surrounding a primary relationship
A primary relationship denotes the two relationship between the two principal parties
Communication patterns of nuclear families apply to all forms of families

3. Family Relationships (cont.)
Characteristics of families
Defined roles (husband, father, son, etc.)- less so for gay & lesbian couples
Recognition of responsibilities
Shared history and future
Shared living space

4. Family Relationships (cont.)
Family Rules
All families teach rules for communication, whether explicit or unspoken
Collectivist cultures restrict more information from outsiders (ex. Divorce, spousal abuse, etc.)
Rules should be flexible so special circumstances can be accommodated
Rules should be negotiable so all members can feel part of the family government

5. Family Relationships (cont.)
Couple types
Traditional – sacrifice independence for relationship
Independent – stress individuality
Separate – relationship of convenience, not love

6. Family Relationships (cont.)
Family types
Conformity orientation – degree to which family members agree on attitudes, values, and beliefs
High conformity – harmonious; children agree with parents
Low conformity – greater conflict; children permitted to disagree with parents

7. Family Relationships (cont.)
Family types (cont.)
Conversation orientation – degree to which family members can speak their minds
High conversation – discusses issues and opinions
Low conversation – little discussion

8. Family Relationships (cont.)
Family types (cont.)
Four types
Consensual – high conversation, high conformity; open communication and disagreement
Protective – high conformity, low conversation; stress agreement, avoid conflict
Pluralistic – low conformity, high conversation; encourages different attitudes, open communication
Laissez-faire – low conformity, low conversation; avoid interaction and confrontation, value privacy