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This paper explores ways in which temporal cycles and sequences organize events \Nithin family systems. The family is viewed as being in a network of systems which includes biological, behavioral and social interactional levels. Dimensions of temporal organization in the family system discussed are: (1) circadian cycles, particularly the relation between body temperature biorhythms and day-night periodicity; (2) the various forms of time frames which arise from different system levels; (3) the degree of synchrony within and across time frames; (4) and the sequential ·organization of family interaction. Implications for research are discussed wh.ich suggest multi-methodologies in examining cyclical and sequential temporal organization in the family over various time frames and system levels.

Rapid expansion of research dealing with outcome of conjugal decision making has heightened the need for evaluation of indices employed. The purpose of this article is to provide an empirical test of the general hypothesis that additive indices of conjugal decision making yield a unidimensional measure. Analyses of data from five previous studies reveal little inter-item relationship within samples or within subsamples of husbands and wives, and factor analysis of correlation matrices yields widely disparate solutions with from two to four dimensions within each sample and subsample. Beyond evidence of inconsistent and complex factor structures, there remains considerable unexplained variation in the respective solutions even when three or four factors are extracted.; While coefficients of individual item reproducibility are reportedly high for scales of this type, the advisability of summing individual item weights to form a composite mean score for analysis and interpretation is not warranted. Each analysis provides a multidimensional conclusion.; The goal of replication, characteristic of extensions of the Blood and Wolfe approach, is compromised by questionable theoretical and methodological assumptions. Implications of these findings are discussed.

A series of hypotheses regarding the effect selected resource and ideological variables will have on normative patterns of decision making and influence are tested with data from 266 conjugal pairs from five cities in Mexico and 119 conjugal pairs from Minneapolis-St. Paul. The partial tests of resource theory and ideological theory within and across culture support Rodman's (1967, 1972) "cultural context hypothesis". Normative cultural definitions act as contingent variables influencing the degree to which variation in resource level or ideology can effect decision making and influence across culture. Mexican husbands and wives are more patriarchal than American husbands and wives but the differences are not great. The impact of resources and ideology on normative patterns of marital decision making power and influence is in the direction of egalitarianism both in Mexico and the United States. Comparison with similar data, collected six years prior to this study, indicate a general shift from paternalism to egalitarianism in Mexico. The data reflect a transition stage where marital roles are undergoing change. This change appears more rapid in Mexico than the United States.