Family Communication Pattern Theory

Family communication pattern theory Family communication pattern theory • Based of mass media research exploring how parents socialize their children to process mediate information • Used to predict communication norm and behaviour Theorist in family communication 1. Jack Maclead and Steve Cleffee • They develop a model of family as communication environment • It influences how children use news media, television • Raised the general questions of how family communication environment influence a child’s developing perceptions of reality • Their dimension of family communication are:  Socio-oriented: children are more prone/susceptible to influence from outside sources  Concept-oriented: children are less prone/susceptible to influence and focus on information from the outsiders • In both children and adults are associated with interest in politics, knowledge and deviation of political issues Theorist in family communication 2. David Ritchie • He renamed Jack Maclead and Steve Cleffee’s dimension of family communication: Socio-orientation to conformity Concept orientation to conversation • He further demonstrated that: 1. For both parents and children, socio-orientation implies the use of parental power to enforce the child’s conformity to parents 2. Concept-orientation means parental encouragement or conversation and open exchange of ideas and concepts Ritche’s Dimension of Family Communication A. Conformity orientation • This depicts the degree to which family members function within a climate of homogeneity of attitudes, values and beliefs i. High conformity orientation • It describes families characterized by interaction emphasizing uniformity of belief and attitude, harmony, conflict avoidance • Families are characterized by interactions that focus on harmony and often obedience to parents Ritche’s Dimension of Family Communication ii. Low conformity orientation • Reflects interaction that displays heterogeneous attitudes and beliefs reflecting independence and individuality • Such families are characterized by interaction that focus on the uniqueness of the family members and their independence from their families B. Conversation orientation • This describes the degree to which family members are encouraged to participate in unrestrained interaction about a wide array of topics Ritche’s Dimension of Family Communication i. High conversation orientation • Family members freely, frequently and spontaneously interact with each other • Few limitations in regard to time spent and topic discussed ii. Low conversation orientation • Reflects less frequent interaction between and among family members • Limited topics are openly discussed in family Types of families based on the interaction of the two dimension a. b. c. d. Consensual Pluralistic Protective laissezfaire Consensual families • Some members experience pressure to agree as well as encouragement to communicate openly and explore ideas • Parents listen to children and then explain their decision • Members avoid strong conflict • Decision rest with parents, although members express their respective position • Consensual families strive for a combination of conformity and openness Pluralistic families • Members engage in open and unrestrained discussion across a wide rage of topics • Parents are not invested in control • Children wield power in decisions • Independence is valued • Although open conflict occurs, members tend to use positive conflict resolution strategies • These families hold open discussion and consider idea or concerns of all members when making decisions • They also stress the relationship between the child and concepts of ideas Protective families • Parents expect children to respond to their authority without negotiations • Little open communication occurs • Parents make decision and see little value in discussing with children • Communication in these families is characterized by emphasis on obedience and little concern with conceptual matter • Children in these families are easily influenced and persuaded by outside authorities Laissez-faire • These are low in both conversation and conformity • No consistent communication norms – there is little communication between parents and children • Members raise few topics and actively discuss even few topics • Emotional separation characterizes many of these families as children make many decisions and adults are responsible for their decision • Children of these families are likely to be influenced by external social groups Application of the family communication pattern theory to family studies 1. Conflict and conflict resolution 2. Children’s resiliency to adverse environmental influences 3. Children’s future romantic relationships 4. Utilization of social self-restraint 5. Social withdrawal behaviours 6. Enactment of family rituals 7. The effects of parents’ work environment on the family context