Family Theories: An Introduction by James M. White, Todd F. Martin, and new co-author Kari Adamsons provides an incisive, thorough primer to current theories of the family that balances the diversity and richness of a broad scope of scholarly work in a concise manner. This best-selling text draws upon eight major theoretical frameworks developed by key social scientists to explain variation in family life. These frameworks include social exchange and choice, symbolic-interaction, family life course development, systems, conflict, feminist, ecological, and functional theories. Includes suggestions for integrating theory to guide a research program and more applications for those going on to careers in the helping professions. With an increased focus on both classical theories as well as contemporary and emerging theories, this text challenges students to think about how families and family theories have changed over the last 70 years as well as where family scholarship is headed.
Author(s): James M. White; Todd F Martin; Kari Adamsons
Edition: 5
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2019
Language: English
Commentary: ---PDF (Conv. From .epub)---
Pages: 360
Tags: Family Theories
Foreword......Page 12
Preface......Page 14
Acknowledgments......Page 20
Chapter 1 What Is a Theory?......Page 21
Architecture of a Scientific Theory......Page 24
Defining Theory......Page 29
Functions of Theory......Page 32
Theories About Families......Page 36
Evaluation of Theory......Page 40
Frameworks......Page 41
Study Questions......Page 42
Chapter 2 Classical Social Theories and Family Theories......Page 44
Philosophies of Science......Page 45
Values in Science......Page 50
What Is an Explanation?......Page 52
Classical Social Theories......Page 53
A Brief History of Family Theory......Page 61
Conclusion......Page 69
Study Questions......Page 70
Chapter 3 The Rational Choice and Social Exchange Framework......Page 71
Intellectual Traditions......Page 72
Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 73
Concepts......Page 76
Propositions......Page 86
Variations......Page 88
Empirical Applications......Page 94
Critiques and Discussion......Page 99
Conclusion......Page 102
Study Questions......Page 103
Chapter 4 The Symbolic Interaction Framework......Page 104
Intellectual Traditions......Page 106
Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 108
Concepts......Page 111
Propositions......Page 118
Variations......Page 121
Empirical Applications......Page 127
Critiques and Discussion......Page 132
Conclusion......Page 136
Study Questions......Page 137
Chapter 5 The Family Life Course Development Framework......Page 138
Intellectual Traditions......Page 141
Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 145
Concepts......Page 148
Propositions......Page 163
Variations......Page 168
Empirical Applications......Page 174
Critiques and Discussion......Page 180
Conclusion......Page 183
Study Questions......Page 184
Chapter 6 The Systems Framework......Page 185
Intellectual Traditions......Page 186
Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 190
Concepts......Page 192
Propositions......Page 201
Variations......Page 205
Empirical Applications......Page 214
Critiques and Discussion......Page 222
Conclusion......Page 224
Study Questions......Page 225
Chapter 7 The Conflict and Critical Theories Framework......Page 226
Intellectual Traditions......Page 227
Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 231
Concepts......Page 233
Propositions......Page 241
Variations......Page 244
Empirical Applications......Page 255
Critiques and Discussion......Page 260
Conclusion......Page 262
Study Questions......Page 263
Chapter 8 The Feminist Framework......Page 264
Intellectual Traditions......Page 266
Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 273
Concepts......Page 276
Propositions......Page 282
Variations......Page 285
Empirical Applications......Page 296
Critiques and Discussion......Page 299
Conclusion......Page 301
Study Questions......Page 303
Chapter 9 The Ecological Framework......Page 304
Intellectual Traditions......Page 306
Focus and Scope Assumptions......Page 310
Concepts......Page 312
Propositions......Page 319
Variations......Page 322
Empirical Applications......Page 333
Critiques and Discussion......Page 335
Study Questions......Page 339
Chapter 10 Theory Construction and Emerging Theories......Page 341
Stages of Theory Construction......Page 342
Methods of Theory Construction......Page 344
Strategies of Theory Construction......Page 351
Emerging Theories......Page 355
Study Questions......Page 358
Chapter 11 Epilogue......Page 360
Metatheory and Theory Development......Page 362
The Future of Family Theory......Page 365
Conclusion......Page 373
References......Page 374
Index......Page 427
About the Authors......Page 467
