Assignment #3

1. According to functionalist theory, what was the definition of the "instrumental leader" and what was the definition of an "expressive leader." What family roles were connected to each of these leader definitions?

Ans: The instrumental leader was defined by Robert Bale as one who leads the group discussion about how to accomplish the task they had been assigned. The expressive leader was the socioemotional leader who kept up the groups’ spirit with warm, supportive remarks and jokes. The family roles that were connected to each of these leader definitions were as follows: The husband, was the instrumental leader because his labor provided the financial support for the family, and the stay-at-home wife was the expressive leader because she provided emotional support to her husband and children.

2. What main demographic change during the 1960s and 1970s led theorists to be critical of the functionalist perspective?

Ans: The main demographic change was married women began to pour into the workforce and this meant that the viewpoint of the male being the “bread-winner” and the women being the “homemaker” lost its dominance.

3. In contrast to functionalist theorists, in your own words, what is the main theme of conflict theory?

Ans: The conflict theory is the study of individual’s conflicts rather than on individuals function within society, family, and/ or a group which is the functionalist theory. The conflict theory focuses more on the conflict between the capitalist and the working class and a focus on inequality social change and power is more focused on. Conflict theorists observe the dominance that groups with power have over groups with little to no power.

4. Social exchange theory is based on ideas from what discipline (not sociology). What do exchange theorists say about husbands bargaining power versus that of wives?

Ans: Social exchange theory is based on ideas of economics which deals with the production, distribution and use of goods and services of the material welfare of humankind. Exchange theorist say that husbands are in a stronger bargaining position when they are the sole earners in their families because their wives have fewer alternative sources of income. The exchange theory suggest that when wives earn money their own, dependence decreases meaning wives independence increases, therefore the power the husband has decreases.
5. Feminist theory is based on what main idea?

The feminist theory is based on the main idea of gender inequality. The domination of men over women is said to have a cultural origin and also is something that has been socially constructed.

6. After reading about the various methods or ways that we collect data to study the family, tell your group members :

A) A research question about family/relationship satisfaction:

If children are not in a stable household, how may this affect how well a child is able to focus in a school setting? (examples of unstable household would include: being raised in a neighborhood where crime is prevalent, low income family, being raised by a single parent)
B) Do you want to study the family at the micro or macro level?

Families will be studied at the macro level

C. What method will you use to collect data?

To collect data the method I would use is field research because it will enable me to directly observe families and the behaviors that are taking place within households. I will be able to research participants directly in the social life of the individuals within a family and/or group in my question.

D). How many people will be in your study?

20families will be in my study including: 10 families living in rich communities that provide more opportunity for the children and 10 families within poor communities that provide little to no opportunities for children.

E) Devise 3-4 questions you will ask them to answer your research question.

· Ask how well child is doing in school?

· What is the annual income your family earns?

· How does the child/or children get to and from school daily and what is the crime rate in their families community?

· Ask children on a scale from one to ten how well would they rate how well they feel they are doing in school and if they feel they are ever distracted from school to worry about?