An Alternative Approach to Family Communication Studying the Family from a Group Communication Perspective

Abstract

Family communication and group communication scholars have largely worked independently of each other, despite calls for collaboration (Socha, 1999; Turner, 1970). Family communication research has generally followed the interpersonal communication tradition, with primary emphasis on dyadic relationships in the family. Up until the last decade, group communication scholars have generally focused on task-oriented, zero-history groups (Keyton, 1999). However, due to the theoretical and methodological evolution of both family and group communication research, this chapter argues that the present is an appropriate time for collaboration, and, more specifically, that three group-oriented theories (social identity theory, theory of transactive memory, faultline theory) and subsequent research on these theories would prove fruitful to family communication scholars’ understanding of family interaction. Five theoretical concepts within these three theories are explored, with specific future research suggestions offered. Collaboration across artificially-created topical boundaries, such as family and group communication, enables researchers to focus on communication itself (Burleson, 1992).