ABSTRACT

Engaging Theories in Family Communication, Second Edition delves deeply into the key theories in family communication, focusing on theories originating both within the communication discipline and in allied disciplines. Contributors write in their specific areas of expertise, resulting in an exceptional resource for scholars and students alike, who seek to understand theories spanning myriad topics, perspectives, and approaches.

Designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying family communication, this text is also relevant for scholars and students of personal relationships, interpersonal communication, and family studies. This second edition includes 16 new theories and an updated study of the state of family communication. Each chapter follows a common pattern for easy comparison between theories.

chapter 1|16 pages

Introduction

The Landscape of Meta-Theory and Theory in Family Communication Research

chapter 2|10 pages

Affection Exchange Theory

A Bio-Evolutionary Look at Affectionate Communication

chapter 3|11 pages

Appraisal Theories of Emotion

How Families Understand and Communicate Their Feelings

chapter 4|13 pages

Attachment Theory in Families

The Role of Communication

chapter 5|11 pages

Attribution Theory

Who’s at Fault in Families?

chapter 6|13 pages

Communicated Narrative Sense-Making Theory

Linking Storytelling and Well-Being

chapter 7|12 pages

Communication Accommodation Theory and Communication Theory of Identity

Theories of Communication and Identity

chapter 8|11 pages

Communication Privacy Management Theory

Understanding Families

chapter 9|12 pages

Communication Theory of Resilience

Enacting Adaptive-Transformative Processes When Families Experience Loss and Disruption

chapter 10|12 pages

Critical Feminist Family Communication Theory

Gender, Power, and Praxis

chapter 11|10 pages

Dyadic Power Theory

Dominance and Power in Family Communication

chapter 12|10 pages

Facework Theory

Performing Familial Roles in Everyday Interactions

chapter 13|12 pages

Family Communication Patterns Theory

A Grand Theory of Family Communication

chapter 14|10 pages

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

A Framework for Understanding Family Conflict

chapter 15|11 pages

General Systems Theory

A Compelling View of Family Life

chapter 16|12 pages

Intersectionality

(Re)Considering Family Communication from Within the Margins

chapter 17|12 pages

Language Convergence/Meaning Divergence Theory

Creating Conflict Through Misunderstandings

chapter 18|11 pages

Multiple Goals Theories

Motivations for Family Interactions and Relationships

chapter 19|11 pages

Narrative Performance Theory

Making Stories, Doing Family

chapter 20|12 pages

Necessary Convergence Communication Theory

Submission and Power in Family Communication

chapter 21|11 pages

Negotiated Morality Theory

How Family Communication Shapes Our Values

chapter 22|11 pages

Relational Dialectics Theory

Realizing the Dialogic Potential of Family Communication

chapter 23|12 pages

Relational Turbulence Theory

Understanding Family Communication During Times of Change

chapter 24|12 pages

Social Construction Theory

Communication Co-Creating Families

chapter 25|11 pages

Social Exchange Theory

A Cost-Benefit Approach to Relationships

chapter 26|10 pages

Social Learning Theory

An Emphasis on Modeling in Parent-Child Relationships

chapter 27|12 pages

Structuration Theory

Applications for Family Communication

chapter 28|12 pages

The Theory of Natural Selection

An Evolutionary Approach to Family Communication

chapter 29|13 pages

Theory of Resilience and Relational Load (TRRL)

Understanding Families as Systems of Stress and Calibration

chapter 30|12 pages

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Considering Media Use in the Context of Family Communication