An Evaluative Review of Family Interaction Research

Abstract

This article will review in detail the current status of quantifiable family interaction research. It will concentrate on the work done since 1960. An extensive reference list and glossary covering key workers and their concepts are appended.

Multiple impact therapy : evaluation and design for future study

“…First, the method should have content Riskin and Faunce (1972) note that this criterion bases the choice on the researcher's interests and purposes, hypotheses and variables. Thus, it is important that all of these be defined prior to the selection of a technique of observational measurement.…”

“…Using this approach, the researcher determines beforehand the relevant behavioral categories, and the observer then records the number of occurrences of each behavior represented (Lytton, 1971 definitions are idiosyncratic, requiring that the coder interpret the behavior observed (Lytton, 1971;Riskin & Faunce, 1972 Thus, a fourth criterion for an observational method is that it use coding categories which require little or no inference on the part of the observer.…”

“…Inter-rater reliability requires that raters be highly trained in the use of the observational method, that they be frequently monitored for reliability in observations of varying complexity, and that they be recalibrated frequently using standard video tapes so that their use of the observational system remains close to the standard one (Reid, 1978). While other types of reliability are occasionally documented in the literature, Riskin and Faunce (1972) state that there is little standardization in methods of reporting reliability and that validity is infrequently reported in the literature. Thus, comparing observational systems on the basis of their reliability and validity is presently difficult to do but will hopefully become more possible as the systems grow more sophisticated (Riskin & Faunce, 1972).…”

“…While other types of reliability are occasionally documented in the literature, Riskin and Faunce (1972) state that there is little standardization in methods of reporting reliability and that validity is infrequently reported in the literature. Thus, comparing observational systems on the basis of their reliability and validity is presently difficult to do but will hopefully become more possible as the systems grow more sophisticated (Riskin & Faunce, 1972). …”

Family therapy outcome research 1972-8

“…I n addition there is a large literature on family interaction research, but as yet there is little evidence to dispute the conclusion of Epstein, Sigal and Rakoff (1972) that the importance of interaction per se as an indicator of therapeutic progress has not held up under critical examination. For this reason I have not reviewed interaction research though those who are interested should refer to Riskin and Faunce (1972).…”