A technique for investigation of implicit theories of family.

The article describes a psychosemantic technique for investigation of representations of the family. It is shown that the implicit theory of the family (ITF) have a three-level structure, depending on age, gender and culture. So, there is a system of basic constructs, components of ITF which are common to all people: (1) Family — Individual, (2) We (Dependence — Affection), which connotative shade, and (3) The functions of the Family (Social — Psychological). The authors examine similarities and differences in ITF of French and Russians, men and women, married and unmarried, people of different age.