Summary
Chapter two began by illustrating the importance of theory and of research – showing that it can help us understand phenomena and in turn help guide us in our very practical process of making decisions. The chapter provides an overview of eight theories: two macro- level theories (Structural-functionalist; Conflict), three macro/micro- level theories (Feminist; Ecological; Developmental), and three micro level theories (Symbolic Interactionism; Social Exchange; Family Systems), specifically with regard to the family. The chapter then turns from theory to methodology – introducing six major research methods that social scientists use: surveys, clinical research, field research, secondary analysis, experiments, and evaluation research. A list of each of these methods’ strengths and limitations is offered for consideration. The chapter concludes with a ‘Code of Ethics’ and a word on ‘Scientific Misconduct,’ which shows what kind of problems to be cautious of while conducting research.
What I Learned
It was interesting to see what the different theories, many of which I have studied before, had to say specifically about the family. For example, I have discussed Conflict Theory with regards to Marx and class struggle – I have never before considered that such a macro- level analysis (that focuses on class) could be used in order to understand the family.
Three of the theories discussed I have never studied before: Ecological Theory, Family Development (ie. Developmental) Theory and Family Systems Theory. And so everything related to these three theories was new to me. I will briefly summarize them to check my understanding.
Ecological Theory: Environment is of main concern for ecological theory, which focuses on the dynamic between the family and its surroundings. The theory breaks its surroundings into four different types, four different ‘interlocking systems’ and seeks to understand the family with respect to these.
Family Development Theory: This theory is based on a ‘family life cycle’ – thus, it treats the family as being analogous to the individual in the sense that families change together, going through stages, just as the individual changes and goes through stages.
Family Systems Theory: This theory emphasizes that the family is a functioning unit that, with respect to its environment, tends to adapt and restoring itself again and again to how it was in some way before.
Question/Concern
After reading this chapter, I’m still not clear on, if we are to study the family as a unit, who should be subject to our research (I am thinking specifically of surveys, clinical research, field research, and experimentation). Must each family member be examined? I am sure that this question depends on the research being done; but in any case, I am interested to know whether only some of the family members may be studied and analyzed (such as the parents) while the other family members need not be studied or whether this will always result in an incomplete analysis of the family.
In response to your third section, I think that there is room to study many parts of the family. Depending on what question your research is asking, it might be beneficial to look at the family as a unit, or as a collection of individuals. You could look at how siblings interact, or how they cooperate to interact with their parents. Another question might be asking how the family interacts with other groups, which would be better served by looking at the family as a single unit.
ReplyDelete