ABSTRACT A critical turn is currently taking place in interpersonal and family communication (IFC) studies, thereby reorienting the predominantly post-positivist, rationalist, and individualist sensibilities that have long characterized the sub-field. However, questions remain about what counts – or not – as critical interpersonal and family communication (CIFC) inquiry. In this review essay, we first critique historical definitions of IFC. Second, we characterize the few recent instances of meta-communication about CIFC as lacking a coherent vision. Third, we distinguish IFC from CIFC in terms of study topics and metatheoretical commitments. Fourth, we advocate for a more inclusive yet nuanced understanding of what counts by delimiting CIFC studies as a multiplicity of politics. Finally, we offer future recommendations for this area of inquiry.

中文翻译：

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什么算作批判性的人际关系和家庭沟通研究？对新兴研究领域的回顾

摘要 目前，人际和家庭交流 (IFC) 研究正在发生一个关键的转变，从而重新定位长期以来一直是该子领域特征的主要后实证主义、理性主义和个人主义情感。然而，关于什么是重要的人际和家庭沟通 (CIFC) 调查的问题仍然存在。在这篇评论文章中，我们首先批判了 IFC 的历史定义。其次，我们将最近关于 CIFC 元通信的少数几个实例描述为缺乏连贯的愿景。第三，我们在研究主题和元理论承诺方面将 IFC 与 CIFC 区分开来。第四，我们主张通过将 CIFC 研究界定为政治的多样性，对什么是重要的有更包容但更细致的理解。最后，我们为这个研究领域提供了未来的建议。