Question 1

_____ helps family scholars move beyond description to explanation and even prediction.

Accepted Answer

Theory helps family scholars move beyond mere description of phenomena to explanation and prediction, by providing frameworks that guide the understanding of relationships and dynamics within families.

Question 2

People often ask of battered women: "Why do they stay?" Which theory helps us understand the complex calculus of costs and benefits in such a woman's life?

Accepted Answer

Exchange theory is the correct answer because it focuses on the analysis of human behavior through the lens of costs and benefits, rewards and punishments. It helps understand why individuals might stay in seemingly harmful situations like those involving domestic violence, by evaluating the perceived benefits of staying versus the costs of leaving, which might include financial insecurity, fear of further violence, or concerns about children's well-being.

Question 3

We might approach understanding the different meanings of housework for men and women through:

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

Two family studies theories emphasize equilibrium. Those two theories are:

Accepted Answer

Family systems theory and structural functionalism both emphasize equilibrium within families. Family systems theory views the family as a complex system that seeks homeostasis, while structural functionalism sees the family as fulfilling essential functions that contribute to societal stability and balance.

Question 5

Family life course development theory considers the:

Accepted Answer

Family life course development theory encompasses the additions and subtractions of family members, the various phases of children's lives, and the stages through which families and their members pass over time.

Question 6

Zimmerman's essay on MADDADS illustrates the place of the black family in the urban environment. This is an application of _____ theory.

Accepted Answer

Family ecology theory focuses on how the environment and societal structures, including urban settings, influence family life and dynamics, which aligns with Zimmerman's essay on MADDADS and the context of the black family in urban environments.

Question 7

In her _____ analysis, Embser-Herbert describes the lesbian family as being in tension with the dominant society, with the result that lesbian families have a more difficult set of structural constraints.

Accepted Answer

Embser-Herbert's analysis is described as focusing on tension and structural constraints within society, which aligns with the principles of conflict theory. Conflict theory examines the ways in which various social structures and relationships are shaped by power dynamics and inequality, making it a fitting description for an analysis that highlights tension and difficulties faced by lesbian families in a dominant societal context.

Question 8

Feminist theory seeks to understand how _____ and _____ disadvantage women and can compromise the quality of life for women, their families, and relationships.

Accepted Answer

Feminist theory primarily focuses on understanding the impacts of patriarchy (a social system in which men hold primary power) and sexism (prejudice or discrimination based on sex) on women's lives. These concepts are central to feminist analysis, which examines how these structures of power and discrimination disadvantage women in various aspects of life.

Question 9

Families are increasingly at risk in today's society. That sentiment is at the core of _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Families are increasingly at risk in today's...

Question 10

To determine the causal relationship between family dinners and family harmony, your best choice for a research would be:

Accepted Answer

An experiment is the best choice to determine causal relationships because it allows the researcher to manipulate the independent variable (frequency of family dinners) and observe the effect on the dependent variable (family harmony) in a controlled setting. This method can establish cause-and-effect relationships more effectively than other options listed.

Question 11

You wish to obtain valid data about not what parents say they do, but about what they actually do in real life. You might engage in which of the following research method?

Accepted Answer

Unobtrusive observation allows researchers to study participants' behavior in their natural settings without interference, providing a more accurate account of what they actually do rather than what they say they do.

Question 12

All of the following are true about surveys EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Surveys are characterized by various types, such as descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, and longitudinal, rather than just being classified as participant and unobtrusive. Participant and unobtrusive are terms more commonly associated with observations rather than surveys.

Question 13

Pipher's research on the challenges faced by adolescent girls, published as Reviving Ophelia, is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Pipher's work in Reviving Ophelia is an example of qualitative research because it explores the complex experiences of adolescent girls through detailed, narrative accounts, which is characteristic of the qualitative research approach. It also utilizes the case study method by focusing on individual cases to explore broader phenomena, making both A and B correct.

Question 14

Archival research includes all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Archival research involves the study of historical documents, records, and data, not the conduct of interviews. Karraker and Grochowski's interviews with single mothers would not be considered archival research, as it involves direct interaction with subjects to collect new data rather than the examination of existing records.

Question 15

Triangulation refers to:

Accepted Answer

Triangulation in research refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources in qualitative research to develop a comprehensive understanding of phenomena. It's a technique that enhances the validity of research through the cross verification of data from two or more sources or methods.

Question 16

To determine if Edin and Kefalas' findings about American women are generalizable to women in other societies, we would need to collect:

Accepted Answer

Comparative data is essential for determining if findings about a specific group (in this case, American women) are applicable to other groups or societies. This involves gathering and analyzing data from different societies to see if similar patterns or outcomes exist.

Question 17

To determine if Edin and Kefalas' findings that some women are putting motherhood ahead of marriage is an emerging trend among American women, we would need to collect:

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal data is necessary to determine if there is an emerging trend over time, as it involves collecting data from the same subjects at multiple points in time to observe changes or developments.

Question 18

Most family mediation programs were established in the 1990s, but empirical research on the effectiveness of such programs is not conclusive. This indicates the need for:

Accepted Answer

Evaluation research is needed to assess the effectiveness of family mediation programs, especially given the inconclusive nature of existing empirical research on the topic.

Question 19

Karraker and Grochowski advocate:

Accepted Answer

Karraker and Grochowski recognize personal experience as a valuable source of inspiration, acknowledging that individual experiences can inform and enrich academic research and theory development.

Question 20

Ethical issues faced by family scholars:

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed are ethical issues faced by family scholars. Subject risk, confidentiality, and informed consent are fundamental ethical considerations in research involving human subjects. Personal integrity of the researcher affects the honesty and accuracy of the research process and findings. The potential applications of research findings also raise ethical considerations, especially in terms of potential harm or misuse.

Quiz 2: Family Scholarship in Action: Theories, Methods and Ethics