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Unit 8 Family Theories - I

1. Distinguish between family theories and other associations.

Family theories differ from other theories because:

• Families last for a considerably longer period of time than do most other social groups. 
• Families are intergenerational whereas other associations do not show this feature. 
• Families have shared history, shared future, and shared biology where as other associations may have share history and shared future but they lack shared biology. 

2. Enumerate the criteria for evaluation of family theories.

Criteria for evaluating family theories are: 

• Internal consistency: A theory does not contain logically contradictory assertions. 
• Clarity or explicitness: They are defined and explicated wherever necessary. 
• Explanatory Power: It explains well what it intends to explain. 
• Coherence: They are integrated and interconnected. 
• Understanding: It provides a comprehensible sense to examine the whole phenomenon. 
• Empirical fit: Large portions of the tests of a theory have been confirmatory or at least have not been interpreted as disconfirming. 
• Testability: It is possible for a theory to be empirically supported or refuted. 
• Heuristic value: It can generate considerable research and intellectual curiosity. 
• Groundedness: It has been built up from detailed information about events and processes observable in the world. 
• Contextualisation: It considers social and historical contexts. 
• Interpretive and sensitive: It reflects the experiences practised, and felt by the social units to which it is applied. 
• Predictive power: It can successfully predict phenomena that have occurred since its formulation. 
• Practical utility: It is useful for teaching, therapy, political action, or a combination of these. 

3. Differentiate between individual life span theory and life course theory

Individual lifespan theory emphasises on ontogenetic development in the context of social norms and historical period whereas life course theory focuses on the individual in the family context to examine the event history of individual life course.

4. What is the difference between variation and deviation?

Variation denotes strength of norms in a social system whereas deviation is viewed as a source of social change.

5. Differentiate between kinship position and role.

In kinship, position is defined by gender, birth order, marriage or blood relations, and generational relations, whereas role refers to norms attached to one of the kinship positions.

6. Describe a system from your own experience in 2-3 lines.

System: A couple's interaction can be a system that can be distinguished from other systems. Their interaction has an effect on the family environment. 

7. Describe variety from your own experience in 2-3 lines.

Variety: Lack of variety in the family inhibited the parents of Jayant to adapt to the situation; his parent wants that their daughter-in-law to wear saree only. 

8. Describe cybernation from your own experience in 2-3 lines.

Cybernation: Palak had thrown tantrums when she did not get a camera, but after speaking to her mother, she came to know that she is not at the right age where she could handle such a thing.

9. Fill in the blanks:

• Profit is the ratio of rewards to costs for any decision.
• In Micro exchange theories individual is the active unit of analysis.
• Human Capital refers to the knowledge, skills, and techniques acquired by the individual.

10. Explain the major difference between family theories and other theories.

Family theories focus specifically on the dynamics, structures, and development of families, whereas other theories are more general and might deal with social groups, individual behaviour, or other phenomena. Family theories are distinguished by their focus on the long-term nature of family relationships, their intergenerational aspect, and the shared biological connections among family members.

11. How do you apply the developmental theory in day-to-day life?

Developmental theory can be applied in day-to-day life by understanding how families form and dissolve over time. It helps to understand the different stages a family goes through, the challenges they might face, and the tasks that need to be accomplished at each stage. For example, it can help a couple understand the stressful transition to parenthood or the challenges of dealing with teenagers. It highlights that changes in a family require adaptation by individual members and supports the notion that stress within a family can be resolved by the family itself.

12. Critically analyse the systems theory.

It views the family as a system with interconnected parts. 

13. Explain the concepts of Social Exchange Theory.

Social Exchange Theory focuses on the exchange of resources (rewards and costs) within relationships. It suggests that individuals seek to maximise their rewards and minimise their costs in interactions. Key concepts include:

• Profit: The ratio of rewards to costs for any decision.
• Micro exchange theories: Where the individual is the active unit of analysis.
• Human capital: The knowledge, skills, and techniques acquired by the individual.
• Rewards might include love, status, money, security, etc.
• Costs could be unwanted pregnancy, sexual frustration, time, effort, etc.