FAML 400: Family Theories Exam
1Questions and Answers
Positivism - Answer-Very objective world view/ scientific paradigm. There is only one truth and it does
not depend on beliefs or opinions.
Example: Social Exchange Theory
Interpretive - Answer-There is no real one truth, it depends because everyone sees it in their own
perspective ex: Symbolic Interactionism
Conflict Paradigm - Answer-Oppressor wants to keep things the same, the oppressed want to change
things ex: Feminist Theory (have and have not)
What do theories do for us? - Answer-They help us predict, describe, and explain behavior.
What is the purpose of theory? - Answer-To increase knowledge, accumulate research, guidance,
connectedness, interpretation, prediction, and explanation
, What makes up a theory? - Answer-Assumptions, Concepts,
Propositions
Assumptions - Answer-Beliefs, or things that we assume are true, accepted as true without being
tested, basic beliefs
Concepts - Answer-Building Blocks of a theory, different variables
Propositions - Answer-How the concepts relate together
Negative Correlation - Answer-As variable x goes up, variable y goes down.
OR As variable x goes down, variable y goes up.
Positive Correlation - Answer-As variable x goes up, variable y goes up.
OR As variable x goes down, variable y goes down.
Which is broader, scientific paradigms or theories? - Answer-Scientific Paradigms- because theories fit
into specific paradigms.
Deductive Reasoning - Answer-Theories inform our research
THEORY>HYPOTHESIS>OBSERVATION>CONFIRMATION
Broad to specific
Inductive Reasoning - Answer-Research can form our theories. INFORMATION>PATTERN>TENTATIVE
HYPOTHESIS>THEORY
Specific to Broad
1Questions and Answers
Positivism - Answer-Very objective world view/ scientific paradigm. There is only one truth and it does
not depend on beliefs or opinions.
Example: Social Exchange Theory
Interpretive - Answer-There is no real one truth, it depends because everyone sees it in their own
perspective ex: Symbolic Interactionism
Conflict Paradigm - Answer-Oppressor wants to keep things the same, the oppressed want to change
things ex: Feminist Theory (have and have not)
What do theories do for us? - Answer-They help us predict, describe, and explain behavior.
What is the purpose of theory? - Answer-To increase knowledge, accumulate research, guidance,
connectedness, interpretation, prediction, and explanation
, What makes up a theory? - Answer-Assumptions, Concepts,
Propositions
Assumptions - Answer-Beliefs, or things that we assume are true, accepted as true without being
tested, basic beliefs
Concepts - Answer-Building Blocks of a theory, different variables
Propositions - Answer-How the concepts relate together
Negative Correlation - Answer-As variable x goes up, variable y goes down.
OR As variable x goes down, variable y goes up.
Positive Correlation - Answer-As variable x goes up, variable y goes up.
OR As variable x goes down, variable y goes down.
Which is broader, scientific paradigms or theories? - Answer-Scientific Paradigms- because theories fit
into specific paradigms.
Deductive Reasoning - Answer-Theories inform our research
THEORY>HYPOTHESIS>OBSERVATION>CONFIRMATION
Broad to specific
Inductive Reasoning - Answer-Research can form our theories. INFORMATION>PATTERN>TENTATIVE
HYPOTHESIS>THEORY
Specific to Broad
