Assignment 2

1. According to functionalist theory, what was the definition of the "instrumental leader" and what was the definition of an "expressive leader." What family roles were connected to each of these leader definitions?

According to the functionalist theory, “instrumental leader” is one person that emerges from a group and leads the group discussion about how to accomplish the task that was assigned.  According to the same theory, “expressive leader” is a person who keeps the groups spirit with supportive jokes and remarks. Persons and Bales felt like the father was the “instrumental leader” because he financially supported the family while the mother was the “expressive leader” because she supported the family emotionally.

2. What main demographic change during the 1960s and 1970s led theorists to be critical of the functionalist perspective?

During the 1960s and 1970s married women joined the workforce and began providing their families with financial support.

3. In contrast to functionalist theorists, in your own words, what is the main theme of conflict theory?

Functionalist theorists focus on cooperation within a group.  The conflict theory focuses on how one person can overpower another person.

4. Social exchange theory is based on ideas from what discipline (not sociology). What do exchange theorists say about husbands bargaining power versus that of wives?

Social exchange theory is based on idea that people are able to exchange goods or services if they benefit from it somehow.  The exchange theorists state that when a wife is not working, her husband has all the power over the household.  When the wife begins working, the husband’s power over the household decreases and wife’s power over the household increases.

5. Gender/Feminist theory is based on what main idea?

The gender/feminist theory is based on the idea that in our society man are being favored over women.

6. Thinking about the functionalist, conflict, exchange and feminist/gender perspectives or theories: do you think the power of wives versus husbands in families is changing and why? CLEARLY identify a specific demographic, economic, or cultural change(s) described in lecture 3 to support your argument.

Lately, the power of wives versus husbands in families is changing.  This is happening because man and women do not have the same positions in their families as they did not that long ago. Before 1950s, women stayed home and took care of the kids while man worked and provided financial support for their families.  Now, both women and man are present in the workforce.