CMNS 1115 Lecture Notes - Social Penetration Theory, Externality
Document Summary
Communication in families is influenced by a number of factors: intimacy: to what degree are members involved & interested in each other. Externalities: to what degree are outside influences felt within the family. The way we interact in families the pattern of our relationships is typified by two orientations to communication: conversation orientation: volume and frequency of interaction in the family, conformity orientation: strength of hierarchies in the family. On the basis of these two orientations, a variety of family-types can be identified: consensual: high conversation/conformity value stability interdependent, pluralistic: high conversation/low conformity value individuals participatory, protective: low conversation/high conformity value obedience avoid conflict, laissez-faire: low conversation/conformity value independence weak ties. Generally, the type is determined most strongly by the relationship between the parents, which provides the context for our immediate impressions. This theory deals with processes of developing increasing intimacy in relationships.
