Family Theories: An Introduction

Description

Family Theories: An Introduction by James M. White, Todd F. Martin, and new co-author Kari Adamsons provides an incisive, thorough primer to current theories of the family that balances the diversity and richness of a broad scope of scholarly work in a concise manner. This best-selling text draws upon eight major theoretical frameworks developed by key social scientists to explain variation in family life. These frameworks include social exchange and choice, symbolic-interaction, family life course development, systems, conflict, feminist, ecological, and functional theories. Includes suggestions for integrating theory to guide a research program and more applications for those going on to careers in the helping professions. With an increased focus on both classical theories as well as contemporary and emerging theories, this text challenges students to think about how families and family theories have changed over the last 70 years as well as where family scholarship is headed. Foreword......Page 12 Preface......Page 14 Acknowledgments......Page 20 Chapter 1 What Is a Theory?......Page 21 Architecture of a Scientific Theory......Page 24 Defining Theory......Page 29 Functions of Theory......Page 32 Theories About Families......Page 36 Evaluation of Theory......Page 40 Frameworks......Page 41 Study Questions......Page 42 Chapter 2 Classical Social Theories and Family Theories......Page 44 Philosophies of Science......Page 45 Values in Science......Page 50 What Is an Explanation?......Page 52 Classical Social Theories......Page 53 A Brief History of Family Theory......Page 61 Conclusion......Page 69 Study Questions......Page 70 Chapter 3 The Rational Choice and Social Exchange Framework......Page 71 Intellectual Traditions......Page 72 Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 73 Concepts......Page 76 Propositions......Page 86 Variations......Page 88 Empirical Applications......Page 94 Critiques and Discussion......Page 99 Conclusion......Page 102 Study Questions......Page 103 Chapter 4 The Symbolic Interaction Framework......Page 104 Intellectual Traditions......Page 106 Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 108 Concepts......Page 111 Propositions......Page 118 Variations......Page 121 Empirical Applications......Page 127 Critiques and Discussion......Page 132 Conclusion......Page 136 Study Questions......Page 137 Chapter 5 The Family Life Course Development Framework......Page 138 Intellectual Traditions......Page 141 Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 145 Concepts......Page 148 Propositions......Page 163 Variations......Page 168 Empirical Applications......Page 174 Critiques and Discussion......Page 180 Conclusion......Page 183 Study Questions......Page 184 Chapter 6 The Systems Framework......Page 185 Intellectual Traditions......Page 186 Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 190 Concepts......Page 192 Propositions......Page 201 Variations......Page 205 Empirical Applications......Page 214 Critiques and Discussion......Page 222 Conclusion......Page 224 Study Questions......Page 225 Chapter 7 The Conflict and Critical Theories Framework......Page 226 Intellectual Traditions......Page 227 Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 231 Concepts......Page 233 Propositions......Page 241 Variations......Page 244 Empirical Applications......Page 255 Critiques and Discussion......Page 260 Conclusion......Page 262 Study Questions......Page 263 Chapter 8 The Feminist Framework......Page 264 Intellectual Traditions......Page 266 Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 273 Concepts......Page 276 Propositions......Page 282 Variations......Page 285 Empirical Applications......Page 296 Critiques and Discussion......Page 299 Conclusion......Page 301 Study Questions......Page 303 Chapter 9 The Ecological Framework......Page 304 Intellectual Traditions......Page 306 Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 310 Concepts......Page 312 Propositions......Page 319 Variations......Page 322 Empirical Applications......Page 333 Critiques and Discussion......Page 335 Study Questions......Page 339 Chapter 10 Theory Construction and Emerging Theories......Page 341 Stages of Theory Construction......Page 342 Methods of Theory Construction......Page 344 Strategies of Theory Construction......Page 351 Emerging Theories......Page 355 Study Questions......Page 358 Chapter 11 Epilogue......Page 360 Metatheory and Theory Development......Page 362 The Future of Family Theory......Page 365 Conclusion......Page 373 References......Page 374 Index......Page 427 About the Authors......Page 467