| Abstract: | This study draws from 98 participant interviews to develop an empirical definition of family favoritism. Results indicate that study participants understand favoritism as a consistent, sometimes situational parental demonstration of preferential treatment toward a particular child, especially in consideration of attention, resources, and affection. Considering a communication as constitutive of reality perspective in conjunction with the definition helps to illuminate the communicative nature of favoritism, especially as participants recognize how attention and affection are communicated and resources are offered. The results of this study suggest that communication is constitutive of favoritism, and further studies should consider communication’s centrality in familial favoritism. |
