1. Theoretical Perspectives for Studying Individuals & Families
HHS 4U/C

2. Learning Goals
By the end of this lesson you will understand seven theoretical perspectives.
You will be able to compare the theories to each other.
You will be able to evaluate the usefulness of each theory.

3. Norms THE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS OF A SOCIETY.
change over time as a society’s values change.
Examples:
Divorce laws
Mothers in the labour force
Abortion rights
identified in society by watching people’s behaviour – in their ROLES >> creates ‘predictability’.
Different cultures have different norms (culture shock!)

4. Internalization
During SOCIALIZATION PROCESS, NORMS are ‘internalized’ and become part of conscience.
You don’t even realize you’ve been PROGRAMMED!

5. Theories
When scientists explain their observations, their answers reflect their theories
Some theories have been used to explain human behaviour for many years
Other theories have been revised and replaced
Theories are NOT FACTS, just attempts to explain evidence

6. Theoretical Perspectives
Like “filters” that we look through when studying society; different filter = different view
THEORIES are NOT facts, but rather attempts to explain evidence
Different theories can attempt to explain same set of observations
Different theory = different explanation

7. Social Scientists ask four fundamental questions:
What happens?
How does it happen?
Why does it happen?
How can people change what happens?

8. MICRO vs MACRO Perspectives
MACRO (large scale) theories study the interaction between society and institutions such as the law, family, politics, etc.
MICRO (small scale) theories emphasize the relationships within individual families

9. Theoretical Perspectives
Functionalism
Systems Theory
Symbolic Interactionism
Social Exchange Theory
Developmental Theories
Conflict Theory
Feminist Theory

10. Theoretical Perspectives Chart
Complete the handout chart using the text
pages 33 – 43.
Provide the following details:
What kind of theory is it? (Macro, Micro / Anthro, Psych, Soc, other)
What does it attempt to explain?
What are the main areas of focus?
What are the main concepts and principles?
What are its strengths/weaknesses?

11. Applying the Theories
Briefly explain one of the following topics using the basic principles of each perspective:
Legalizing Marijuana
Home Schooling
Child Abuse

12. Structural Functionalism
MACRO Approach / Sociology Theory
Attempts to explain how society is organized to perform required functions
Focuses on how institutions, such as the law, political system, and the family function
Assumes societies are stable when structures function to benefit society

13. Structural Functionalism
Examine the ROLES individuals play to contribute
to the bigger picture
Status = a specific position within a social group
Role = the set of behaviours an individual is expected to demonstrate within a status
Norm = most prevalent behaviours in that role
Example: An individual with a “father” status is expected to take on behaviours such as working, child care and providing to fulfill his role. It is the norm for a father to work outside the household. It is abnormal for him to stay home.

14. Structural Functionalism
Strengths of Approach:
Explains how family interacts with society
Emphasizes family strengths rather than weaknesses
Weaknesses/Criticisms of Approach:
- Does not explain why societies or families change
- Change and individual differences are seen as disruptions
- Only one acceptable form of family rather than many variations
- Doesn’t deal with interpersonal relationships

15. Systems Theory MICRO AND MACRO / Sociological Theory
Attempts to explain how groups of individuals interact as a system and influence each other
A system is a set of interrelated parts
Family systems have a complex organization
Individuals within the system influence each other in a reciprocal way

16. Systems Theory
The family system changes when a change in one person’s behaviour causes the behaviour of another to evolve
The larger family system contains subsystems (father-child, mother-father)
A genogram diagram depicts the relationships within a family system

17. Genogram Below is a genorgram of disaese patterns within a family

18. Systems Theory Advantages: Disadvantages:
Explains the behaviour of individuals as inseparable from the group
Explains why behaviour continues in destructive patterns even through generations
Disadvantages:
Can be difficult to determine how others within the family are influencing an individuals behaviour
Overlooks experience of individuals
Social/Structural factors, such as unemployment are not taken into consideration

19. Symbolic Interactionism
MICRO Approach / Psychological Theory
Attempts to explain how individual choose how they will act based on their perceptions of themselves and of others
People define and interpret their experiences and give meaning to them
Couples Retreat:

20. Symbolic Interactionism
“Me” =objective qualities (tall, male, student)
“I” = subjective self (good student, shy, lonely)
Role taking = being able to anticipate how other’s will respond
Communication requires common language and use of shared symbols

22. Cooley’s Looking Glass Self
“I am not what I think I am. I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am”

24. Symbolic Interactionism
Advantages
Emphasizes mental processes and takes individual perception and interpretations into consideration
Sense of individual control
Explains importance of shared symbols and communication
Disadvantages
Observations of researchers may be influenced by the researchers interpretations
Pays little attention to the impact of wider society and does not explain society-wide changes in families

25. Social Exchange Theory
MICRO approach / Psychological Theory
Attempts to explain the social factors that influence reciprocal relationships
People act to maximize the benefits and minimize costs to themselves
Individuals interpret their experiences in terms of costs vs. benefits

26. Social Exchange Theory
Relationships are stable when the benefits that each person receives balance the costs of the relationships
This theory is used to explain how individuals make decisions to form and maintain relationships that may be seen as unacceptable to others

27. Social Exchange Theories
Weaknesses
-A limitation of this theory is that some people are offended by the cost/benefit analysis
-Attempts to explain individual behaviour and needs and pays less attention to family dynamics

28. Developmental Theories
MICRO approach / Interdisciplinary
(examines biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence development)
Describes patterns to explain growth and change throughout the human life cycle
Developmental Tasks = role expectations that challenge people to develop

29. Developmental Theories
Different factors at different ages
Outline predictable stages marked by normative events
At each stage there are developmental prerequisites
One must complete on developmental task to move onto the next

30. Developmental Theories
Disadvantages
Not all stages will fit all families or individuals
Some families will experience non-normative events such as death of a child, etc
Stages make the theory restrictive because they do not always occur in order, or occur at all

31. Conflict Theory
A MACRO interdisciplinary sociological and political theory
Explains how power (ability to control the behaviour of another) holds a society together
Conflict exists because of inequalities
Groups compete with each other to meet their needs

32. Conflict Theory
Describes the relationship of men and women within a family as one of exploitation and oppression, and is used for analyzing power and authority within the family
Developed in the 19th century when there were large social inequalities in society
Disadvantage
Negative approach

33. Feminist Theories A branch of conflict theories
Developed in the second half of the 20th century to explain the impact of sex and gender on behaviour
Considers issues from the point of view of women

34. Feminist Theories
Argue that change is required so that the needs of all people are met
Attempts to explain social inequalities between men and women from a variety of female perspectives
Socialist feminism is based on the assumption that the status of women is a social inequality rooted in the sexual division of paid vs. unpaid labour

35. from each theoretical perspective.
Application:
Let us now take a look at
Teen Suicide
from each theoretical perspective.