Identifying Family and Relationship Theories in Family Life Education Materials

Identifying Family and Relationship Theories in
Family Life Education Materials


Brief Descriptions of Major Family and Relationship
Theories/Philosophies



Note that there are many grand and smaller theories that have been applied to families,
relationships, and social groups. What follows are some major theories. Some materials and
programs may combine theories or use approaches that are not outlined here.


Family Systems Theory


This theory views families as living organisms and stresses boundaries, rules,
expectations, and behaviors that help the family maintain equilibrium and the
status quo or homeostasis. If something changes in one part of the family, other
parts will need to adjust as well. In addition, the family is part of other systems in
the community, so changes in one family will create imbalance and lead to changes
in other systems that surround that family. Materials that use this approach will
address these interconnected units and never assume an individual can change
without these other adjustments. This means that such programs need to take the
surrounding environment into account, because it will try to maintain the status quo
unless an intervention is aimed at the context as well.

Look for:
• Recommendations that address several different individuals and
relationships at the same time
• Discussions of how changes in one part of the system will interact with other
parts of the system
• References to boundaries, roles, rules, and relationship patterns
• Recognition of how a person might be responded to by others when making
changes
• Suggestions for respecting boundaries or making them stronger

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Human Ecology Theory


This theory sees development and interactions as taking place in a nested
system of environments ranging from the immediate microsystem (e.g., a child and
a parent, or one couple) to the exosystem, which encompasses the culture, natural
environment, and global influences on individuals and relationships. It also considers
the time in history and changes over time. The focus is on the fact that it is not
possible to account for a person’s development or relationships without looking at
all the levels of influences surrounding that person or relationship. Materials and
programs based on this theory would recognize that change must address many
levels and that change will be dependent on resources available in the community,
societal expectations, media influences, and climate in addition to individual skills
and desires.

Look for:
• References to influences at many different levels
• Recommendations that take into account many aspects of the environment
• Statements mention culture, media, and global influences in addition to
mentioning individual needs and skills
• Recognition of the fact that some members of the family provide
connections for other members to systems outside the family


Exchange Theory


This theory is related to theories of economic systems. It assumes that
people make decisions based on the costs and benefits they perceive from those
decisions; they assess how they can minimize costs and maximize benefits of their
choices. Social exchange theory assumes that people try to be close to and emulate
those people who possess positive characteristics or seem to be rewarded for what
they do. This is similar to the parenting theory of behavior modification, but it
focuses on the internal processes of decision-making and weighing of rewards and
punishments rather than the external manipulation of those rewards and
punishments. In relationships, exchange theory predicts that people will increase
their commitment to a person if they see that they are getting more benefits than
experiencing costs.

Look for:
• Decision-making recommendations focused on costs and benefits or rewards
and punishments

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• Recommendations that reflect the expectation that people will do something
good for a person who has done something good for them
• Weighing pros and cons
• Attempts to help participants to reassess positives and negatives


Family Development Theory


This theory proposes that families develop in predictable ways and
experience identifiable developmental stages as they do so. Although the specific
stages vary as described by different theorists, the assumption is that most
families at a particular stage will be very much like other families at that stage.
Some theorists stress that there are biological, psychological, and social influences
that accompany family life events and that these influences create stages that are
helpful in understanding and intervening with families.

Look for:
• Materials that focus on a particular life stage or provide recommendations
that are associated with specific stages
• Descriptions of progressions that families will experience as they advance
through marriage, parenting, or other family events
• Materials that emphasize age of children, length of relationship, or age of
adults more than individual differences


Empowerment/Feminist/Liberation Theories


Although there are many different views of these theoretical approaches,
one common assumption behind them is that power is unevenly distributed in
society and that some people—often women, minorities, the very young or very old,
families with limited resources—are oppressed or silenced. A second common
assumption is that social structures support and maintain those inequalities,
consciously or not. Another assumption is that people aware of these inequalities
need to live within the existing structures while trying to change them. These
theories suggest that helping people to become aware of inequalities and
identifying ways in which they can exercise power will reduce the oppression.
Materials and programs using these approaches focus on providing a voice to those
who have not been heard, facilitating collective action, and creating social change.

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Look for:
• Target audiences who are out of the mainstream or power structure
• Discussions of the wider political and social context
• Analyses of ways in which individuals and families are oppressed
• Agendas and activities determined by participants rather than leaders
• Activities and practices that analyze policies and encourage change


Social Learning Theory


This theoretical approach concentrates on how people learn through
interacting with other people. It includes the concept of observing other people
being successful or failing when they engage in different behaviors, and choosing
to emulate or deviate from those behaviors based on the expectation that one will
also be successful or fail. Basic behavior modification principles are also often
included.

Look for:
• An emphasis on modeling and imitation
• A discussion of motivations for behavior and outcome expectancies
• Rewards and punishments in a social setting


General Sexual Development Theory


This theory is based on the assumption that sexual development takes a
predictable course and that education about sexuality is appropriate and valuable
at all of the stages. It also suggests that such education should be developmentally
appropriate and linked to the development that is taking place at that stage. One
principle is that individuals need to accept themselves as sexual beings and learn to
value their bodies and their feelings. At the same time, this theory encourages
instruction in decision-making and responsibility.

Look for:
• Recommendations for sexuality education at different ages
• Statements about developmental appropriateness
• Sex being presented as natural and healthy

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Moral Development Theory


This approach is similar to other developmental theories in that it is
assumed that development takes a predictable path through identifiable stages.
Its focus, however, is on how people make decisions related to values, morals, and
behavior. Although moral development is related to cognitive development in some
ways, they seem to be independent in others. Most moral development theories
propose that decision-making is self-centered and pragmatic at earlier stages and
more altruistic and principle-based at later stages. There are differences in
whether the theories are based on men vs. women or on varying cultures, however.

Look for:
• A developmental approach that discusses stages and signs of advancement
• An emphasis on values, value conflicts, decision-making, setting priorities
• Concentration on internal processes and thought rather than on outside
manipulation


Humanistic Psychology Theory


This theory (along with approaches touted by Carl Rogers) emphasizes
emotions and feelings. Such approaches are based on the assumption that positive
relationships are crucial to a person’s well-being. They are heavily focused on
communication, affirmation, and providing support in relationships.

Look for:
• Creating a safe and empathic environment as one of the program goals
• Encouragement of free expression of feelings
• Lowering risk in situations where individuals self-disclose
• Complete acceptance of participants


Cognitive-Behavioral Theories


These theories concentrate on how people think about issues, such as their
attitudes and expectations. They connect those attitudes and expectations to
behaviors and teach new skills and actions. Behavior change is assumed to be a
conscious decision and under the control of the mind, but changing attitudes is not
enough. Practicing skills is part of the educational process.

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Look for:
• A focus on both feelings and behavior
• Suggestions for changing thinking patterns
• Exercises and coaching to develop more effective behaviors


Psychoanalytic Theory


Psychoanalytic theory was based originally on Freud. It assumes that the
personality components of id, ego, and superego are central to development,
behavior, and well-being. It is based on and supported by clinical evidence more
than empirical studies, and focuses on how early experiences influence later
progress. The primary emphasis is on individual development more than
relationships or context.

Look for:
• Citations from Freud
• References to id, ego, and superego
• Discussion of the psyche
• Attributing much of a person’s developmental outcomes and personality to
parenting in the early years


Psychosocial Theory

Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory focuses on predictable stages of
development that are defined by successful or unsuccessful achievement of
developmental tasks. While it is related to Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, it is
more inclusive of the social environment. It also looks at the entire life span from
infancy to old age.

Look for:
• A discussion of specific developmental tasks, especially Erikson’s eight
stages
• The assumption that unsuccessful completion of one stage will hamper
completion of later stages
• A recognition of societal influence along with a focus on personality
development and the psyche


Based in part on Powell, L. H., & Cassidy, D. (2007). Family life education: Working with families across the life span. Long
Grove IL: Waveland Press. And Myers-Walls, J.A., & Myers-Bowman, K.S. (1999). Sorting through parenting materials: A
values approach and the example of socially conscious parenting. Family Science Review, 12(2), 69-86.

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