Conversation Orientation
Conversation orientation can best be described as the amount of information that family members are open to sharing information about a plethora of topics. Families with a high conversation orientation view open sharing as essential for personal and family development. There are few limits about what these families are willing to discuss. As slightly embarrassing as it is, I am a fan of the TV show Parenthood. The whole Braverman family reflects this high conversation orientation perfectly. They talk about pretty much anything that comes to their minds (often when they probably shouldn't). In contrast, families with a low conversation orientation do not feel the necessity to speak of things more personal. They frequently stick to conversations (if they have them at all) that do not disclose very much personal information.
Conformity orientation is essentially the level at which communication reflects similarities in the values of a family. Families with high conformity orientations tend to value homogeneity over individuality and independence. Children in these families are expected to obey without question, and family members are placed on a higher pedestal than any outside relationships. The Corleone family in The Godfather trilogy displays many of these characteristics, especially when considering the priority that family takes over individuality. Families with low conformity orientations are just the opposite. They value independence of ideas and individual growth more than the growth of the family. Outsiders (of the family) are seen as equally as important as insiders.
Sources
McCornack, S. (2013). Relationships with Romantic Partners. In Reflect & Relate: An Introduction to Personal Communication (3rd ed., pp. 293-295). Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins.
Methods and Theories. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://people.emich.edu/jleblanc/engl444/exercises/texthypertext/methods.html
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