8 Theoretical Perspectives
Functionalism - ANS Sociological theory, looks at how society is organized (how society
functions)
"Families are institutions that serve specific functions in society, and family members are
expected to fill prescribed roles within the institution"
Systems Theory - ANS Looks at how groups of individuals interact as a system
Family system have a complex organization
Feedback- process which members learn how to interact to maintain stability in the system
Individuals within systems influence each other in a reciprocal way
One member's actions affect all other members of the system
Symbolic Interactionism - ANS Looks at how individuals behave based on their individual
perceptions of themselves
People experience their social world, and then define and interpret their experiences to give
them meaning
Men and women give different meaning to actions and words
Based on 3 concepts:
1) develops a self that has two parts: the "me" that consists of objective qualities (tall,
male,student) and the "I" that is the subjective awareness of self (good, shy, lonely)
2) People must also "take the attitude of the other" to be able to anticipate what the other person
will do and decide how to respond
3) People are able to interact effectively only if they can communicate using a common
language- shared symbols
Exchange Theory - ANS Looks at how individuals make choices within roles by weighing costs
and benefits
Individuals know what they have to offer, and what they need
Benefits - meet a need and include physical/emotional security, access to goods/services, and
social approval
Costs - actions such as sharing goods/services, or providing emotional/physical support
Individuals work to maximize benefits and minimize costs
Explains choice of marriage partners, what each person brings to relationship
Social roles are stable when exchange is fair
Benefits/costs are not facts, they are perceptions of situations
The Life-Course Approach - ANS Looks at behaviour demonstrated by individuals or families at
various stages of their life
Examines biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence development
Describes predictable changes as they progress through various changes
Individuals face role expectations that challenge them to develop
Functionalism - ANS Sociological theory, looks at how society is organized (how society
functions)
"Families are institutions that serve specific functions in society, and family members are
expected to fill prescribed roles within the institution"
Systems Theory - ANS Looks at how groups of individuals interact as a system
Family system have a complex organization
Feedback- process which members learn how to interact to maintain stability in the system
Individuals within systems influence each other in a reciprocal way
One member's actions affect all other members of the system
Symbolic Interactionism - ANS Looks at how individuals behave based on their individual
perceptions of themselves
People experience their social world, and then define and interpret their experiences to give
them meaning
Men and women give different meaning to actions and words
Based on 3 concepts:
1) develops a self that has two parts: the "me" that consists of objective qualities (tall,
male,student) and the "I" that is the subjective awareness of self (good, shy, lonely)
2) People must also "take the attitude of the other" to be able to anticipate what the other person
will do and decide how to respond
3) People are able to interact effectively only if they can communicate using a common
language- shared symbols
Exchange Theory - ANS Looks at how individuals make choices within roles by weighing costs
and benefits
Individuals know what they have to offer, and what they need
Benefits - meet a need and include physical/emotional security, access to goods/services, and
social approval
Costs - actions such as sharing goods/services, or providing emotional/physical support
Individuals work to maximize benefits and minimize costs
Explains choice of marriage partners, what each person brings to relationship
Social roles are stable when exchange is fair
Benefits/costs are not facts, they are perceptions of situations
The Life-Course Approach - ANS Looks at behaviour demonstrated by individuals or families at
various stages of their life
Examines biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence development
Describes predictable changes as they progress through various changes
Individuals face role expectations that challenge them to develop
