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?
The husband was the instrumental leader because he worked and provided financial support for the family.  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?
Married women began to enter the workforce.

3. In contrast to functionalist theorists, in your own words, what is the main theme of conflict theory?
Conflict theory has a big focus on power, seeing men as more powerful than women.  

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?
This perspective is similar to the model of human behavior.  It is suggested that husbands are in a better position to bargain when they are the sole earner for their family because the wives have fewer options for sources of income.

5. Feminist theory is based on what main ideas?
Feminist theory is based on gender differences, that culture differences have this idea that men have power over women.  The experience of living in a family is different for women than it is for men.


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

A) A research question about family/relationship interaction.
How has technology and social media influenced family relationships?

B) Do you want to study the family at the micro or macro level?
Macro level

C) What method will you use to collect data? Refer to the methods listed in the lecture slides.
I would use the survey method.

D) How many people will be in your study? Remember we use large samples for demographic studies and surveys, smaller samples if we are going to observe a sample or interview family members.
About 1,000 families across the U.S. interviewing different members within the family.

E) Devise 3 questions you will ask them to answer your research question.
How much time daily do you spend on your phone, computer etc?
Do you find other members of your family spend more or less time on their phones, computers, etc than you do?
Do you think technology has impacted the amount of time you spend with your family or has had a positive or negative affect on your relationships within your family?