Families ' De ' 'tion Behavior of Problematic Situations*

This research examines the factors which influence family definition behavior of problematic situations. Observational data came from 48 white families composed of the natural parents and their ninth grade offspring divided according to social class, wives ' employment, and gender of child. Each family examined a series of 27 simulated problematic situations, which they were free to discuss or to skip. The data were analyzed to determine the effect of family background, interpersonal relations and discussion process variables on families ' statements concerning defi-nitions of the situations preceding problem solution strategies. The findings of the importance of interpersonal ties for problem definition are interpreted in terms of family interaction issues in the context of the original rationale. Problem solving has long been of interest to both psychologists and soci-ologists. The former have been especially concerned with issues like the comparative advantages of group or individual problem solving (Kanekar & Rosenbaum 1972; Shaw 1932; Taylor & Faust 1952), and how individuals go about solving problems (Dewey 1910). Sociologists have looked at af-fect changes during the problem solving process, and the phasing of this process in problem solving groups (Bales 1958; Bales & Strodtbeck 1951). An underlying concern of both disciplines has been with what factors influence problem solving effectiveness. In studying individuals, psychologists and sociologists have pos-ited a phase or sequence model as characterizing problem solving. This model is also sometimes characterized as an ideal model of rational deci