Olson's Circumplex Model: A Review and Extension

Abstract

This paper reuietus the literature abou,t Olson's Circumplex model, and attempts to resolue two problems that haue been discouered by attempts to use the modeL. The tu;o probLems are that: tI i the model theorizes that the relationships in it are crrt:ilinear, but some data and some other theorizing suggest that at Least one of the relationships is linear; and 12) the role of'communication in the model is problematic. This paper proposes that the solution to the controuersy obotLt the shape of the relationships is that the relationships probably haue a different shape than preuiousLl, thought. The solution to the problem of communication being generally excluded from the moclel is to add a proiile method of communicating inlbrmation about the three factors in the modeL. Mouing to a prolile system aLso makes it easy to expand the model to include other factors, and one way of expanding it is presented. Olson's Circumplex model is one of rhe most valuable middle-range theories in coniemporary family science. It is oniy a decade oid tOlson, 1976), but it has integrated a large number of partially overlapping concepts into a coherent theoretical model. It has pulled together a half century of theory and research about adaptability and cohesion, and the model is conceptually clear, easy to understand, and easy to communicale. It aiso has been heuristic in uhat it has led to over 300 related studies rOlson. 1986 p.337). It has stimulated continual improvement in the measurement of the variables, as the FACES inslrument has now gone through three revisions, and there is evidence that its reliability and vaiidity are improving iQ[5sn. 1985). The theory also has helped meet an important, need in rhe field by building bridges between theorists, researchers, and practitioners lOlson. 1976).