Family Communication Patterns

Abstract

Communication patterns in families refer to repeated interaction styles and behaviors. A single family member's communication behaviors over time can be patterned, but family communication scholars tend to focus on patterns among family members. Family relationships are typically involuntary and long‐lasting (Vangelisti 1993). One usually cannot choose one's siblings, for instance, and sibling relationships – even strained ones – commonly endure for most of one's lifetime. The involuntary and lengthy nature of family relations provides myriad opportunities for various communication patterns to emerge.