A Study on the Communication of the Functional Family

기능적인 가족의 커뮤니케이션에 관한 이론적 접근

  • Published : 1984.06.01

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the family as an interaction system, concentrating on the mutual influences between communication and family development; (1) how Communication patterns affect family relationships, and (2) how relationships among family members affect communication. In order to do this Galvin, Brommel used the following frame work; family is a system in which communication regulates cohesion and adaptability by a flow of message patterns through a defined network of evolving interdependent relationships. A family system consists of members, the relationships among them, the family attributes, the members attributes and an environment in which family functions. Within the framework of common cultural communication patterns, each family has the capacity to develop its own communication code based on the experiences of individual members and the collective family experience. Most of us develop our communication skills within the family context learning both the general cultural language and the specific familial communication code. Communication may be viewed as a symbolic, transactional process as the process of creating and sharing meanings. To say that communication is a process implies a continuous interaction of an indefinite large numbers of variables with a concomitant,. continuous change in the values taken by these variables. Finally the process implies change, Family functions include the primary functions of cohesion and adaptability, and supporting functions of family images, themes, boundaries, and biosocial issues. The primary functions reveal concepts integrated family interaction and supporting function, along with those of cohesion and adaptability, give shape to family life. the characteristics of developed relationships of richness, uniqueness efficiency, substitutability, pacing , openness spontaneity, and evaluation are reflected in the verbal and nonverbal behaviors with which family members negotiated a set of common meanings and develop thier own unique message system. The message system is the major element of communication process and influences both the form and the content of thier relationship and in create and share meanings. Family systems need to provide order and predictability for thier members, specifically focusing on communication rules and the networks by which messages are transmitted. Most rules emerge as a result of multiful interactions. There are basic rules and rules about rules, or metarules. Perceiving the rules of family system is very difficult because often family members don't think about the basic rules, much less the metarules. Breaking the rule may result in the creation of a new set because the system may recalibrate itself to accept more variety of behavior. Families develop communication networks to deal with the general issue. Family adaptability may be seen through the degree of flexibility in forming and reforming networks and networks become a vital part of the decision- making process and relate to the power dynamics operating within the family. Networks also play an integral part in maintaining the roles and rules operating with the family system. Thus networks and rules have mutual influence. The family -of -origin issues influence all aspects of family communication and account for many of the communication patterns, rules and networks and the role of the family -of-origin influences as a primary force for communication on behavior of newly forming systems. Each family system develops its own communication meanings. There is not one right way to communicate within a family but may be indefinitly large change of family life and communication behavior. Study on functional family communication helps to gain a better understanding of dynamics of family communication and ability of a new insight into the family.

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