Engaging Theories in Family Communication

Multiple Perspectives

"The breadth of theories presented and collected in this text is an impressive accomplishment. The editors have done a great service to the field with this book." —Lynn H. Turner, Marquette University  

"The chapters are very informative, useful, and accessible. There is a huge need to better ground family communication in theory, and this text will provide an important start for students and researchers."   —Douglas Kelley, Arizona State University

To date, scholars from disciplines other than communication have dominated the study of family communication. Engaging Theories in Family Communication: Multiple Perspectives covers uncharted territory in its field, as it is the first book on the market to deal exclusively with family communication theory. In this volume, editors Dawn O. Braithwaite and Leslie A. Baxter bring together a group of contributors who represent a Who's Who in the family communication field. These scholars examine both classic and cutting-edge theories to guide family communication research in the coming years.  

Key Features:

• A clear overview of theory and three meta-theoretical discourses— logical empirical, interpretive, and critical—to provide readers with a current landscape of family communication research
• Chapter-opening notes help students understand the paradigm into which a theory falls and the historical roots of each theory
• Foreword by renowned scholar Anita Vangelisti frames the current state of family communication and provides a unique perspective on theory-building in family communication  

Engaging Theories in Family Communication is designed for students studying family communication in courses such as Family Communication, Personal Relationships, Communication Theory, Applied Communication, and Advanced Interpersonal Communication. It can also be used in a variety of Family Studies, Sociology, and Psychology courses focusing on family communication.