This document discusses key aspects of communication patterns within families, including relational culture, communication rules, secrets, communication networks, and family narratives. It defines these concepts and explores how they shape family interactions and the meaning derived from communication. Communication rules prescribe behaviors and reflect shared understandings, while secrets manage information boundaries. Networks determine how information flows within the family, and narratives teach values and connect generations through shared stories. Together, these elements form complex patterns that structure family relationships and communication.

1. Communication
Patterns: Rules,
networks, secrets,
and narratives
HMNS 10111

2. Relational Culture:
 Based on a jointly constructed world view
 Private world of rules, understandings,
meanings and patterns of acting and
interpreting that partners create for their
relationship.
 These are the underpinnings of a family’s
communication patterns and are created
out of communication (Galvin et al., 2008)
 Symbolic blue prints that impact meaning

3. Communication Patterns:
Definition
 Complex set of
“moves” which have
been established
through repetition
and have become
so automatic as to
continue without
conscious awareness
Dimensions of…
 communication
rules
 secrets
 communication
networks
 narratives

4. Communication Rules:
 Relationship agreements that prescribe
and limit a family’s behavior over time
(Galvin et al., 2008)
 Reflect patterns of “oughts” or “shoulds”
1. Constitutive rules: define what counts in
communication
2. Relational rules: refer to unique rules that
are developed and repeated through
interaction over time and become
reflected in behaviour.

5. Qualities of Communication Rules:
 Some are negotiated directly, others
indirectly
 Have great staying power for long periods of
time – generations in some cases
 Once established changing them can be
complicated
 They are maintained and changed through
positive (growth) or negative (maintenance)
feedback
 Some family rules reflect societal shifts
 Conflict can emerge from breaking rules that
some members may not even know exist

6. Framework for Looking at Types of
Communication Rules:
 What can be talked about?
 How can it be talked about?
 With whom can it be talked about?
 To whom can it be talked about?
 What are the conditions?

7. Family Secrets:
 Info that is purposely hidden or
concealed by one or more family
members
 Example: Don’t talk..as a way to maintain
denial of a problem
 Secrets create or reinforce boundaries
 Managing secrets depends on the
members ability to define who “owns”
what information

8. Types of Family Secrets
 Sweet – created for the purpose of fun
 Essential – promote necessary
boundaries that define relationship
 Toxic – poison family relationships and
maintaining them can have chronic
negative effects on problem solving
 Dangerous – put people in immediate
or physical jeopardy or emotional
turmoil to an extent that their capacity
to function is threatened

9. Functions of Secrets:
 Bonding - cohesiveness
 Evaluation – avoidance of negative judgment
 Maintenance –keep status quo
 Privacy – not anyone’s business
 Defense - protection
 Communication – lack of openness
 Secrets have powerful effects, tied to
communication networks

10. Family Communication Networks:
 Patterned channels by which families
transmit information. Information may
flow between those with equal power
(horizontal) or those with unequal power
(vertical)
 Types
 Chain Network
 “Y” Network
 Wheel Network
 All Channel Network

11. Functions of Communication
Networks:
• Manage cohesion (emotional bonding)
• Deal with relational tasks such as:
– Conveying instructions
– Maintaining secrets
– Organizing activities
– Regulating time
• Maintain roles and rules operating within the
family system
• High family adaptability = a wide variety of
network arrangements

12. Narratives/stories
• Play key role in development of meaning
• They serve key functions:
– Remembering
– Creating belonging & family identity
– Teaching expected behaviour & deeply
held values to current members as well as
socializing new members
– Development of family culture
– Provide stability by connecting generations
– Entertaining

13. Questions Stories Answer
 How did this family come to be?
 Are parents really human?
 How does a child become an adult in this
family?
 Will the family stand behind its members?
 How does the family handle adversity?

14. Reference
Galvin, K., Bylund, C., & Brommel, B. (2008).
Family Communication: Cohesion &
Change, 7th edition. Boston: Pearson
Education, Inc. Chapter 4