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On “Naturalistic” Family Research
Author(s) -
BAVELAS JANET BEAVIN
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
family process
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.011
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1545-5300
pISSN - 0014-7370
DOI - 10.1111/j.1545-5300.1984.00337.x
Subject(s) - naturalism , naturalistic observation , psychology , context (archaeology) , social psychology , cognitive psychology , epistemology , developmental psychology , geography , philosophy , archaeology
Much is made of the desirability of “naturalistic” research on the family. Indeed, experimental research is often rejected for not being “naturalistic.” The purpose of the present article is to draw out and to examine some of the assumptions underlying such a position. The assumptions behind criteria such as “real,”“relevant,” and “typical” for research topics and settings are held to be questionable, not least because they are inconsistent with a communicational, context‐oriented approach to the family. Alternative assumptions more consistent with this approach are described.