The descriptive study examines The American nuclear family (parents and minor children) as a system comprised of multiple, dynamic and interdependent elements. The familial system and its individual members are frequently challenged by internal conflict. Such intrafamily conflict encompasses a range of factors. This study centers on two of the key variables: roles and power. As separate, yet interdependent variables, roles and power merit scholarly examination because of their significant impact on the family structure and the communication of its members. In effect, roles and power are mutually developed, modified and maintained through the intrafamily communication process.Utilizing the General Systems Theory (as outlined by Ruben) and Social Exchange Theory (as explicated by Thibault and Kelley), this study concluded that as individual roles change within a family, the level of conflict tends to increase. Likewise, changes in location and level of power tend to precede conflict. These tendencies toward increased conflict were reflected in a case study analysis of the commercial film, "Ordinary People." By analyzing the metamorphis of power and roles in the behavior of key characters in the film, it became apparent that conflict was a visible and substantive outcome of such changes.Based upon this study, one may conclude that General Systems Theory and Social Exchange Theory serve as viable constructs for describing and analyzing the variables of roles and power within the family structure.

Thesis (M.A.)--Baylor University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-40).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [170]-186).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed June 17, 2008). PDF text: ix, 131 p. : ill. ; 1 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3293919. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009. / Title from title screen (site viewed January 12, 2010). PDF text: xiii, 177 p. : ill. ; 866 K. UMI publication number: AAT 3359470. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also in a digital version from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (M.A.I.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-168). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-129).

Thesis (M.A.)--Northern Kentucky University, 2009. / Made available through ProQuest. Publication number: AAT 1462298. ProQuest document ID: 1689894631. Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-30)

Thesis (M.A.)--Bowling Green State University, 2009. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 63 p. Includes bibliographical references.