Family Studies

Family studies is an area of psychological study and research that examines how individuals change and grow and how those changes interact within the family matrix. By studying these changes and interactions researchers strive to create family relationships that enable all members to thrive.

These types of studies can focus on many different aspects of family: parenting, sibling relationships, how families interact amongst themselves, how families interact with outside entities, and parent-child relationships. Unlike "twin studies" that look at how genetics influence personality and lifestyles, also known as "nature vs. nurture," family studies do not generally look at how shared genetics amongst siblings affect growth and relationships.