Showing papers presented at "Field and Service Robotics in 1987"

Coping as a Concept in Family Theory

Abstract: With the increased interest in stress theory, "coping" has become a popular concept in lamily science. Most studies haue focused on indiuiduaL coping behauior of f'amily members as the1, deal uith stressful situations ranging from normal to catastrophic. Howeuer, there is an increasing neecl to ttnderstand hotu /amilies cope as groups. To date, there has not been an in-clepth discLtssion or clarification of coping as a family-leuel construct. By reuiewing the deuelopment of the concept of coping to its integration into current family studles and theory building efforts, this paper enhances clariftcation of family coping with encouragement tlnt future research elforts be directed toward increased understanding of this complex, multi-dimensionaL concept.

Olson's Circumplex Model: A Review and Extension

Abstract: This paper reuietus the l iterature abou,t Olson's Circumplex model, and attempts to resolue two problems that haue been discouered by attempts to use the modeL. The tu;o probLems are that: tI i the model theorizes that the relationships in it are crrt: i l inear, but some data and some other theorizing suggest that at Least one of the relationships is l inear; and 12) the role of'communication in the model is problematic. This paper proposes that the solution to the controuersy obotLt the shape of the relationships is that the relationships probably haue a different shape than preuiousLl, thought. The solution to the problem of communication being generally excluded from the moclel is to add a proiile method of communicating inlbrmation about the three factors in the modeL. Mouing to a prolile system aLso makes it easy to expand the model to include other factors, and one way of expanding it is presented.

Family Science Undergraduate Programs: Time For a New Approach?

Abstract: The viability of undergraduate family science programs is of concern throughout higher educationl Casual observation shows that the number of majori in many programs is decreasing. With this decline, faculty allocations to iamily science-departments are being withdrawn along with olher resources' Some universities no longer have a family science program or department' Other disciplines in the social sciences with student credit hour problems are

Family Research in the 1980's

Abstract: The testing of familytheory and the generation of new concept i lnd inflormation is of considerable importance to our proflession ind to our society. Thus, research, rvhich is the vehic le for accompl ishing these tasks. is an important component of en, 'academic department wirh an interest in the family. A relevant indicaror of a department's research strength is the number of professional publiclt ions. For this reason a study rvas undertaken of the publications frequently used by family reserrchers in order to determine rvhich academic departments made major contributions to the field of famiiy studies. This was determined by counting publications in selec[ed journals for rhe per iod 1980i986.

Professional Networks and Hiring Patterns at Top-Rated Family Science Programs

Abstract: This paper is an attempt to illuminate seueral icleas about prolbssional networhs in family science programs. DrLta were gathered f 'rom facuity in a number of family' science departments as part of a surLcy of prominent programs. tt was discouered that there uere fbtu chairpersons or mentors who could be identif ied as hauing Leadership for a large proportion of professionaLs in the field. Insteacj, focuLtt members seemed to haue been trained by a tt,ide uariee of' indiuiduals. Based on the connectiue hiring patterns of prominent ftamily science progroms, suggestions are made about tchich schools seem to procluce sought afier gradu.ates. Set'eral implications are su,ggested fb, students considering dilferent doctoral programs in famiLy science.

Speculation versus Substantiated Explanation: Family Science Research from 1960 to 1980

Abstract: Distinctions among types of explanations of research iindings are made. Four t1'pes are identified: sticking tuith the clata, substantiated explanation. alternatiue hypothesis generation' and unsubstantiated specuLation. Using a sample of 82 orticles from the 1960, 1970, and 1980 issttes of the Jaurnal of trIarriage cLnd the Family, the authors found that unsubstantiated speculation is the norm in family science and that its usage has not changed ouer time.