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Introduces a special issue of "Communication Research," which examines (both quantitatively and qualitatively) how processes within individuals influence communication within marital and family life. (SR)

This article presents observations on the development and application of family communication patterns theory. The author discusses her work on communication theories of marriage and the family and tries to provide the reader with a personal context for some of the research she has conducted over the past 25 years. In this article, the author considers not only her work concerning research on marriage and the family but also how her background in communication theory has influenced the work she has done as a university administrator.

Investigates the influence of communication patterns of families of origin on conflict behaviors of adult children in their romantic relationships. Causes of interpersonal conflict; Ways of relating adults' behaviors to their families of origin; Types of families.

Family communication behavior and family beliefs about how family members should communicate with one another are closely related and combine to create family communication patterns. Two dimensions that determine family communication patterns are conversation orientation and conformity orientation. In this chapter, we discuss theoretical and practical issues relating to these two dimensions and the family typology that is based on them. First, the dimensions are discussed and a resulting family typology is introduced. Then, we discuss the instrument to measure family communication patterns, the Revised Family Communication Patterns instrument (RFCP), and review research that links conversation orientation and conformity orientation and the resulting family types to different behavioral and psychosocial outcomes of family functioning in the areas of conflict and conflict resolution, speech act production, and the socialization of children. Following this discussion, we address a number of methodological considerations regarding the RFCP and its use in family research. Finally, we evaluate the roles of family communication patterns in family functioning and individuals' success in their relationship and suggest directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors develop a theory of family communication that is based on the schematic representation of relational knowledge. They discuss pertinent issues surrounding family communication and develop a general model of the role of relational schemas for interpersonal communication. Taking the specific environment of family communication into consideration, the authors then develop a theory of family communication based on a family relationship schema and describe the schema's location in cognition, its content, and its role in family communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the intrapersonal perceptions of interpersonal relationships involved in family communication. Use of Family Communication Patterns instrument (FCP) and the revised FCP to measure family communication norms; Information on the family communication environment; Question on the basic FCP assumption that family members share a common view of communication norms; Findings.

Presents a study which examined the impact of television viewing on the amount and content of discussion between married people about family and relational issues. Method; Results; Discussion.

Integrates dimensions from both Relational Dimensions Inventory (RDI) and Revised Family Communication Patterns (RFCP) in family communication schemata. Marital communication; Characteristics of family types; Outcomes of family communication schemata.