Full Description
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.
This new Fifth Edition 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.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 What Is a Theory?
Architecture of a Scientific Theory
Defining Theory
Functions of Theory
Theories About Families
Evaluation of Theory
Frameworks
Study Questions
Chapter 2 Classical Social Theories and Family Theories
Philosophies of Science
Values in Science
What Is an Explanation?
Classical Social Theories
A Brief History of Family Theory
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 3 The Rational Choice and Social Exchange Framework
Intellectual Traditions
Focus and Scope Assumptions
Concepts
Propositions
Variations
Empirical Applications
Critiques and Discussion
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 4 The Symbolic Interaction Framework
Intellectual Traditions
Focus and Scope Assumptions
Concepts
Propositions
Variations
Empirical Applications
Critiques and Discussion
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 5 The Family Life Course Development Framework
Intellectual Traditions
Focus and Scope Assumptions
Concepts
Propositions
Variations
Empirical Applications
Critiques and Discussion
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 6 The Systems Framework
Intellectual Traditions
Focus and Scope Assumptions
Concepts
Propositions
Variations
Empirical Applications
Critiques and Discussion
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 7 The Conflict and Critical Theories Framework
Intellectual Traditions
Focus and Scope Assumptions
Concepts
Propositions
Variations
Empirical Applications
Critiques and Discussion
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 8 The Feminist Framework
Intellectual Traditions
Focus and Scope Assumptions
Concepts
Propositions
Variations
Empirical Applications
Critiques and Discussion
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 9 The Ecological Framework
Intellectual Traditions
Focus and Scope Assumptions
Concepts
Propositions
Variations
Empirical Applications
Critiques and Discussion
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 10 Theory Construction and Emerging Theories
Stages of Theory Construction
Methods of Theory Construction
Strategies of Theory Construction
Emerging Theories
Conclusion
Study Questions
Chapter 11 Epilogue
Metatheory and Theory Development
The Future of Family Theory
Conclusion
References
Index
About the Authors
