Family Communication Patterns
FCP were first proposed by McLeod and Chaffee (1972, 1973) to explain how families process information, such as mass media messages. FCP theory (Koerner, 2007; Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 2002b) is based on cognitive theories explaining how families achieve intersubjectivity (i.e., shared social reality) through the process of co-orientation, which involves either a concept orientation or a socio-orientation of family members (for detailed descriptions, see Koerner, 2007; Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 2004, 2006a).
Concept orientation of families is generally associated with an open and engaging communication style parents have with their children, whereas socio-orientation of families is generally associated with a directive and authoritarian communication style of parents (McLeod & Chaffee, 1972).In most research on family communication, FCP are measured using Fitzpatrick and Ritchie’s (1994; Ritchie, 1991; Ritchie & Fitzpatrick, 1990) Revised Family Communication Patterns (RFCP) instrument (Schrodt, Witt, & Messersmith, 2008). The RFCP is based on McLeod and Chaffee’s (1972) original FCP instrument, but it better labels and operationalizes the dimensions as conversation orientation, which McLeod and Chaffee had called concept orientation, and conformity orientation, which McLeod and Chaffee had called socio-orientation (Ritchie & Fitzpatrick, 1990). Although often moderately negatively correlated with one another, conversation orientation and conformity orientation are conceptually independent from one another and can be used to define four different types of FCP.
Conversation orientation is defined as the degree to which families value and create a climate of open flow of communication and exchange of ideas about attitudes, beliefs, and values (Fitzpatrick & Ritchie, 1994; Ritchie & Fitzpatrick, 1990).
Families at the high end of this dimension freely, frequently, and spontaneously interact with one another about a wide variety of topics. Families at the low end of this dimension interact less openly and less frequently with one another and limit themselves to a narrower range of topics. With regard to conflict, conversation orientation is associated with engaging rather than avoiding conflict, with using supportive communication in conflict situations (Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 1997), and with using positive (i.e., integrative) conflict strategies (Wrench & Socha-McGee, 1999). Members of families high in conversation orientation are also more likely to solicit social support both within and external to their families in conflict situations than members of families low in conversation orientation (Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 1997).Conformity orientation is the other dimension underlying the RFCP. It refers to the degree to which families create a climate that stresses homogeneity of attitudes, values, and beliefs (Fitzpatrick & Ritchie, 1994; Ritchie & Fitzpatrick, 1990). Families at the high end of this dimension value and hold similar beliefs and attitudes and typically engage in interactions that focus on harmony and obedience to the parents. Families at the low end of this dimension value and hold more heterogeneous attitudes and beliefs and engage in interactions that focus on the uniqueness and independence of family members. Conformity orientation in families is positively correlated with conflict avoidance (Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 1997) and negatively correlated with use of positive (integrative) conflict strategies (Wrench & Socha-McGee, 1999). Families high in conformity orientation avoid conflict because they interpret it as a threat to the family system. Because conflict usually highlights differences between family members, it is perceived as undermining the cohesion and conformity that these families value so much.
Interestingly, conformity orientation in families is also associated with a greater frequency of verbal hostility during conflict (Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 1997). The reasons are twofold. First, in conformity-oriented families, initiating or having conflict with family members is generally regarded as a violation of family rules and norms that demand harmony and conformity and, thus, leads to negative reactions by other family members. Second, because conflicts are usually avoided, family problems frequently remain unresolved, and individual family members might perceive their families as unresponsive to their needs, which leads to frustration and hostility on the side of the complaining party (Segrin & Fitzpatrick, 1991).