Perspectives on Family Communication

by Turner, Lynn; West, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780073406824
• ISBN10: 0073406821
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-11-05
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

Summary

Emphasizing the role that communication plays in both creating and solving family issues, Perspectives on Family Communicationthoroughly reflects the explosion of research literature in the area of family communication. Now in its fourth successful edition, the text continues to emphasize the role that communication plays in the evolution of family issues. Throughout, the text examines a wide variety of contemporary family types and supports this examination with current research and practical examples.

Table of Contents

Preface

To the Student

Part 1. PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Chapter 1. Providing Definitions

Family Culture

Defining the Family

Family Communication Perspective

Cultural and Demographic Trends Affecting the Family

From Tradition to Transition: Family Types in the United States

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 2. Providing Theoretical Frameworks

The Definition of Theory

Intellectual Traditions

The Theoretical Assumptions Underlying this Text

Family Theories

Methods of Inquiry

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Part 2. Family Interactions

Chapter 3. EXAMINING STRUCTURE: ROLES AND RULES

Roles and Family Communication

Rules and Family Communication

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 4. SOCIETAL CONTEXT FOR COMMUNICATION

Televised Messages About Families

Women’s and Men’s Movements and Their Influence on Families

Government and the Family

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 5. Communicating Intimacy

Interpreting Intimacy and Closeness

Culture and Intimacy

Explaining Intimacy in Family Communication

Expressing Intimacy in the Family

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 6 TELLING STORIES AND MAKING MEANING

Understanding Family Stories

Functions of Family Stories

Types of Family Stories

Other Meaning-Making Practices

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 7. Expressing Conflict, Power, and Violence

Conflict, Power, Violence, and Culture

Conflict in the Family

Power in the Family

Violence in the Family

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 8. Communicating Under Stress

Interpreting Stress

Assumptions About Stress and Stressors

Communication and Developmental Stressors

Communication and Unpredictable Stressors

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 9. Managing Challenging Dialogues

Religion in the United States

Family Communication and Sexuality

Summary

Key Terms

Questions for Reflection

Part 3. Conclusions

Chapter 10. Conclusing Perspectives on Family Communications

The Future of Family Communication Research

Cultural Discourse About the Family

Thinking About Family Communication: Four Conclusions

Summary

Questions for Reflection

Glossary

References

Credits

Subject Index