Effects of family structure labels on evaluations of videotaped children and adults
Abstract
Previous investigations suggest that persons from non-intact families are evaluated less positively than those from intact families. While most have found strong effects for family structure label, suggesting family structure is a category by which people are stereotyped, reliance upon written descriptions of targets and provision of minimal behavioral information are noted weaknesses. To better understand the nature of these possible stereotypes, two studies presented videotapes of adult-child interactions to undergraduate psychology students. Family structure label and child behaviors were manipulated experimentally. In Study One, participants (n = 200) observed a videotape of a female adult and child. A three (family structure--intact, single-parent, and stepfamily) x 2 (rate of child noncompliance) x 2 (aversiveness--mild or strong) ANOVA revealed main effects for rate and level on all child evaluation measures. Children were evaluated less positively when exhibiting high rates of noncompliance and more aversive disobedience. Adults were evaluated less positively when paired with highly noncompliant children (main effects of rate on three of four measures). No main effects for family structure occurred, however there were two interactions. A follow-up study (n = 208 undergraduate psychology students) was conducted to investigate effects for male adult actors. A two (family structure--intact or stepfamily) x 2 (rate of child noncompliance--low or high) x 2 (actor--#1 or #2) ANOVA revealed main effects for rate on nine of ten measures, no main effects for actor, and one main effect for family structure. Additionally, interactions of family structure label x rate x actor occurred on three of the four child measures. These results failed to support the existence of a family structure stereotype when other information is available. Future investigations should continue to manipulate type of target (e.g., written description, videotape, live interaction), as well as behavioral information provided. It is possible that family structure stereotypes are utilized only in the absence of other information. This investigation confirmed previous findings that manipulation of topographical features of child behavior (i.e., aversiveness) affect overall evaluations and should be considered in addition to more traditional rate of noncompliance measures.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Santogrossi, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy|Social psychology|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
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