1. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES Unit 1 – Chapter 2

2. What is a Theoretical Perspective?

3. What is a theory?

4. Relationship Between Disciplines & Theoretical Perspectives Disciplines determine what observations a researcher will make and which theoretical perspective will be used to organize and explain the results Disciplines and theoretical perspectives determine if the research will be

5. Disciplines

6. Functionalism A suggested by Talcott Parsons Examines how society is organized to perform required functions effectively Also called Focuses on how structures function within society

7. Functionalism Structures. Societies are Changes occur when structures are trying to maintain equilibrium in society, but change will happen slowly

8. Functionalists Examine the status and roles individuals play within an institution Status: Role: Societies run smoothly when each individual behaves according to their specific role Institutions teach individuals

9. Functionalism Individuals and institutions As long as roles are performed,

10. Functionalism Roles taken on by individuals, institutions and the society are all A change in any one part affects others, requiring other parts to take account of the changes, modify its actions, and adapt to any changes necessary

11. Functionalism Analogy: Think of society Every part of society When these elements are thrown out of equilibrium,

12. Functionalists Make observations about role behaviour and determine rates of when behaviours will occur Norms: Behaviours that occur at a lower rate or away from the norm are

13. Functionalism How would a functionalist explain the war in Iraq? Think about the roles/functions of individuals and institutions involved

14. Functionalism Limitations: Functionalists tend to go beyond explaining how a society is organized to prescribing how individuals within a society should behave

15. Systems Theory A suggested by Ludwig von Bertalanffy Explains how A set of different parts that work together and influence one another over time looks at family processes

16. Family Systems Theory Feedback process when the system tells its members how to act to maintain stability of the system Feedback individuals within a family system influence one another making it hard to trace the source of influence or to describe the organization of the family

17. Family Systems Theory Characteristics of a Family System: however, some Family Systems Theorists argue that members that have left the family household still continue to influence the behaviour of others in the system

18. Family Systems Theory Family systems develop strategies for achieving the goals and functions of the individual, the family and the interaction with society Strategies = Strategies require the collaboration of all members to continue All members share responsibilities for the patterns of behaviour

19. Family Systems Theory Analogy: Think of the family system When you move one piece of the mobile, The pieces (family members) do not exist in isolation from one another Movement in one part of the system will affect all the rest of the parts of the system

20. Family Systems Theory The family unit is A family system An individual’s behaviour cannot be understood separated from their family system and members

21. Family Systems Theory How would a Family Systems Theorist explain a wife and mother returning to work after maternity leave? Think about feedback, strategies, habits and the family as a whole

22. Family Systems Theory Limitation: It can be difficult to determine how others within the family are influencing an individual’s behaviour