HSH206 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Theoretical Ecology, Family Therapy, Social Exchange Theory
Family development theories
Family ecology theory
Families influence and in turn are influence by the wider environment
Families lives and choices are affected by economic, educational, religious and cultural institutions,
as well as by historical circumstances
Social ecological model
Individual- Personal characteristics and developmental stage
Microsystem- Face-to-face settings in which the individual is involved
Mesosystem- Linkages between the settings in which the individuals actively participate
Exo system- Settings in which individuals may not directly participate but impact on the setting in
which they exist
Marco system- includes the overall attitudes and organisation of a given society or group
Chronosystem- Represents how the settings are linked across time and space
Family life course development theory
• Systematic and patterned changes experienced by families as they move through stages and
events in their life course.
• It acknowledges the development of the family as a group process, one that is regulated by
both internal rules and social timing and sequencing norms.
• Each stage has specific developmental tasks that must be mastered before
transitioning to the next stage
• It is suggested that In cases where a family or individual becomes out of sequence with the
norms associated with one institution, they are more likely to become desynchronised with
others
Stages are determined and characterised by:
• Addition or subtraction of family members
• Stages children experience
• Changes in the families connections with other social institutions
Family systems theory
This theory sees the family unit as both a goal-oriented system made up of a collection of
subsystems and as part of a larger system
Each family has:
• Sub-systems
• Roles for members
• Rules
• Boundaries
Family conflict theory
Views individuals in relationships as competing for resources
• Each family member has difference personalities, ideas, values and goals that result in conflict
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Families influence and in turn are influence by the wider environment. Families lives and choices are affected by economic, educational, religious and cultural institutions, as well as by historical circumstances. Microsystem- face-to-face settings in which the individual is involved. Mesosystem- linkages between the settings in which the individuals actively participate. Exo system- settings in which individuals may not directly participate but impact on the setting in which they exist. Marco system- includes the overall attitudes and organisation of a given society or group. Chronosystem- represents how the settings are linked across time and space. Systematic and patterned changes experienced by families as they move through stages and events in their life course. It is suggested that in cases where a family or individual becomes out of sequence with the norms associated with one institution, they are more likely to become desynchronised with others.
