Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

The family is a complex unit comprised of individuals with varied cognitive, emotional, and behavioral characteristics and abilities that can greatly affect family decision-making across an individual's life-span. “Decision-making” describes the process by which families make choices, judgments, and ultimately come to conclusions that guide behaviors. Family decision-making implies that more than one member's input and agreement is involved ( Scanzoni & Polonko 1980 ). The decision-making process is centered on core communication processes involved in creating shared meaning. In the decision-making process, families can acknowledge the differences among members and negotiate their needs for closeness and independence ( Baxter & Montgomery 1996 ). Aspects of verbal (e.g., words, syntax) and nonverbal communication (e.g., eye contact, tone, vocalics, gestures, expressions, etc.; →  Nonverbal Signals, Effects of ), listening (e.g., passive or active), and conflict (e.g., collaborative, competitive, or avoidance) negotiation skills play important roles in the myriad of family decision-making across the life-span (→  Conflict and Cooperation across the Life-Span ). Such elements range from everyday decisions such as where to live, to rent or buy a home, and which schools or universities to attend, to increasingly life-altering decisions such as whom to marry or whether or not ... log in or subscribe to read full text