Parental acceptance-rejection theory (PARTheory) is an evidence based theory of socialization and lifespan development that attempts to predict and explain major causes, consequences, and other correlates of parental acceptance and rejection within the U.S. and worldwide. It attempts to answer five classes of questions divided into three subtheories. Two classes of questions define PARTheory's
personality subtheory. A third class of questions defines PARTheory's
coping subtheory. The last two classes of questions define PARTheory's
sociocultural systems subtheory and
sociocultural systems model. Recently PARTheory has been expanded to include intimate adult relationships, peer relationships, and other close interpersonal relationships. In all contexts the focus is on the causes, effects, and other correlates of perceived acceptance-rejection.
