Theories, Theories, Theories!

There are lots of different ways to look at families and one of the ways that researchers are able to study and learn more about the family unit is through theories. There are several different kinds of theories, each one helping to identify a different part of a family function, relationship, etc. In the very simplest of terms, a theory is just an explanation. If you want to get more technical it can be described as, "a set of logically related propositions that explain some phenomenon" (p. 20). Theories help social scientists to explain as well as direct their research. There are several different theories that we touched briefly on this week. Here is a list of theories and their definitions.

SYSTEMS THEORY: the intimate group must be analyzed as a whole; the group has boundaries that distinguish it from other groups. The group is composed of interrelated parts or individuals therefore making them not independent but influence each other and work together.

EXCHANGE THEORY: the idea that we all attempt to keep our costs lower than our rewards in interaction. Costs referring to things such as time, money, emotional energy, intellectual energy, or anything else that an individual considers to be part of their personal investment in a relationship. Rewards are more of the emotional or intellectual gratification, money, sense of security or something else that we consider to be a satisfying outcome of a relationship. The popular phrase "you owe me one" is an example of exchange theory.

SYMBOLIC INTERACTION THEORY: This theory categorizes humans more as cognitive creatures who are molded and influenced by interactions and experiences. One of the key components of this theory is "definition of the situation" depending on the ways that we chose to define the situations we find in our relationships will ultimately determine the amount of satisfaction we receive from said relationship.

CONFLICT THEORY: it is through the characteristics of inequality, conflict, and change that all societies struggle over scare resources. Different groups have different goals, interests, and needs and due to limited resources not all groups will be able to meet all of their needs. Each individual struggles with the other to satisfy their own interests, needs, and goals. Mostly this theory is focused on two types of groups: social class (individuals with similar levels of income, education and occupational prestige that allow them to have similar lifestyles) and gender.