FAML 400 Verified Exam Guide Questions Graded A+
2025/2026
What is the purpose of a theory - Describe, explain, predict. Asking answer questions
about social phenomena
Assumptions - Beliefs that are taken for granted, believed to be true.
Concepts - Mutually agreed on terms, operationalized become variables. Building
blocks of a theory
Proposition - The outcomes that are expected if a theory defines reality. You must have
two propositions to make it a theory. The glue holding together a theory
scientific paradigm - A set of beliefs that guide scientific work in an area, including
unquestioned presuppositions, accepted theories, and exemplary research findings.
The big framework that guides scientific thinking. This is BROADER than theories.
inductive reasoning - Observation to a theory
deductive reasoning - Theory, hypothesis, pattern, observation
How families differ from other social groups - The family unit is a social group, it is
intergenerational, biological. Has affinal ties, a large kinship organization. It is useful
and unique to the family
assumption of universality - Belief that all cultures are the same, certain principles or
laws apply universally to all situations, making it true in all contexts
Benefits of family development theory - a) its family life cycle dimension that provides a
basis for study of families over time; (b) its emphasis on the developmental tasks of
individual family members and of families at every stage of their development; (c) its
built-in recognition of family stress at critical periods in development; and (d) its
recognition ever since 1947 of the need for services, supports, and programs for
families throughout their family life cycles.
Stages of Family Development Theory - 1. Married couple. 2. Childbearing 3. preschool
age 4. School age 5. teenage years 6. Launching center (work) 7. Middle age parents.
8. Aging family members (retirement)
Reason and revelation - Revelation trumps reason. They usually work together for
finding truth. Revelation is consistent with principles of the gospel as revealed through
the Scriptures
norm of reciprocity - The social expectation to reciprocate acts of kindness
2025/2026
What is the purpose of a theory - Describe, explain, predict. Asking answer questions
about social phenomena
Assumptions - Beliefs that are taken for granted, believed to be true.
Concepts - Mutually agreed on terms, operationalized become variables. Building
blocks of a theory
Proposition - The outcomes that are expected if a theory defines reality. You must have
two propositions to make it a theory. The glue holding together a theory
scientific paradigm - A set of beliefs that guide scientific work in an area, including
unquestioned presuppositions, accepted theories, and exemplary research findings.
The big framework that guides scientific thinking. This is BROADER than theories.
inductive reasoning - Observation to a theory
deductive reasoning - Theory, hypothesis, pattern, observation
How families differ from other social groups - The family unit is a social group, it is
intergenerational, biological. Has affinal ties, a large kinship organization. It is useful
and unique to the family
assumption of universality - Belief that all cultures are the same, certain principles or
laws apply universally to all situations, making it true in all contexts
Benefits of family development theory - a) its family life cycle dimension that provides a
basis for study of families over time; (b) its emphasis on the developmental tasks of
individual family members and of families at every stage of their development; (c) its
built-in recognition of family stress at critical periods in development; and (d) its
recognition ever since 1947 of the need for services, supports, and programs for
families throughout their family life cycles.
Stages of Family Development Theory - 1. Married couple. 2. Childbearing 3. preschool
age 4. School age 5. teenage years 6. Launching center (work) 7. Middle age parents.
8. Aging family members (retirement)
Reason and revelation - Revelation trumps reason. They usually work together for
finding truth. Revelation is consistent with principles of the gospel as revealed through
the Scriptures
norm of reciprocity - The social expectation to reciprocate acts of kindness
