COMM101 Southern California Nonverbal Communication A Thousand Words Film Paper This Paper Must be taken seriously. Must use proper Grammar and present a
COMM101 Southern California Nonverbal Communication A Thousand Words Film Paper This Paper Must be taken seriously.
Must use proper Grammar and present a College level paper.
2 SAMPLE ESSAYS ARE ATTACHED
General Instructions:
Communication Theory: Nonverbal Communication
Movie/film: A Thousand Words (Eddie Murphy), 2012
In this 10 page paper(APA Format), you will apply your knowledge of basic communication terms to an analysis of a film. In general, you will:
Select a primary communication context(Nonverbal communication) that is reflected in a particular film of your choosing. Also, you will use several, specific terms(e.g., ,Paralanguage, Kinesics, Proxemics, Haptics, Public space, Social space, Personal space, Intimate Space, Physical Appearance)
Conduct scholarly research in order to fully understand your chosen context. In other words, you will find journal articles to help you understand and apply course terms in your paper. This becomes the evidence for your paper
3. Lastly, you will define and explain the terms, and analyze how they are presented in the film. In addition, you will cite your journal articles within your paper as evidence and support of your ideas.
Journal Articles: 1.) https://www.ibtimes.com/twitter-making-us-meaner-u…2.)https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/us/politics/pre…3.)https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?stor…
Your main goal in this paper is to apply communication terms to a film in order to demonstrate your understanding of these terms. Running Head : COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
From Brothers to Best Friends:
Communication in Step-Family Relationships
Raymond Hollowell
Santa Barbara City College
COMM 101 Online
April 21, 2013
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COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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In the 1950’s, the premise of the American dream was strong and vibrant. It was
thought that success would bring about a wonderful life for anyone determined enough to
go out and work hard for what they wanted. This desired prototype of a living structure
featured a house with a white picket fence, a brand new Cadillac, and, most importantly,
loved ones to share your success with. This notion of a nuclear family was key to
determining whether or not the advertised “dream” had become a reality. A husband, a
wife, two kids, and a possibly, a dog, constituted this ideal family. Now, while the
American dream may remain a prominent aspiration to citizens and foreigners, alike,
today’s society is far removed from this image of this nuclear family. More than ever,
people are finding divorce to be a common practice, and subsequently, find themselves
remarrying. In fact, “almost 75 percent of single parents remarry, most within three
years” (DiVerniero, 2011, p.26). The film, Step Brothers (2009) presents a comical, yet
informative representation of one of the numerous family infrastructures in modern
culture. By analyzing the various communication dynamics of a stepfamily, featured in
the film, we can formulate a greater understanding of the components of personal and
romantic relationships. Throughout the duration of the film, the characters enact certain
features of personal relationships, such as relationship dialects, and follow an
evolutionary course of said relationships, both in terms of friendship and romantic
involvement. As a result of the examination of this film, we can move towards greater
understanding of the communication of a stepfamily, and alleviate or help navigate the
process to increase the likelihood of success and happiness.
The film Step Brothers is about two people who get married, and each have a
middle-aged son who still live at home. The two men, Brennan and Dale, automatically
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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clash. Yet, upon further review, they turn out to be the best of friends. Brennan and Dale
wreck all sorts of havoc, and eventually, their parents separate under the pressure. The
two men then work to bring love back to their families, through the majesty of song.
The initial aspect of the evolutionary course of a romantic relationship is the no
interaction stage. This stage is defined as being “aware of ourselves as individuals with
particular needs, goals, and qualities that affect what we look for in romantic
relationships” (Wood, 2008, p.217). Even though the characters Dr. Robert Doback and
Nancy Huff are aware of their goals, needs, and desired qualities, they are engrossed in
their work and personal lives. It is not until Dr. Doback unintentionally flirts with Nancy
at a conference, first nonverbally, by smiling and making strong eye contact, and
secondly verbally, blurting out a comment about her breasts, that the two move second
stage of invitational communication. Their interaction is tied strongly to the notion that
proximity and similarity greatly influence attraction. Both happen to work in the medical
field, and, by chance, attended the same seminar. These two factors ultimately lead to
their meeting, and initial attraction.
Almost immediately, the two begin to move forward to the third stage, titled the
exploration communication. According to Wood, this is the stage where we learn about
one another and search for commonalities (2008). Various topics are broached, and the
breadth and depth of disclosure increases, resulting in greater feelings of intimacy. Each
piece of new information seems to only add to the attraction between Nancy and Dr.
Doback, with the final admission of each having a middle-aged son still living at home
sending the two into a state of uncontrollable carnality. Between the two, a sense of
passion, which is a strong feeling based on positive interactions with another, is
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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undeniable. These common grounds seem to amply the matching hypothesis, which
stipulates that people will prefer mates who match our backgrounds, lifestyles, and values
(Wood, 2008). One study conducted stated the overall actual personality similarity of a
couple directly correlated to the satisfaction of the woman involved in the relationship
(Decuyper, 2012).
Many personal relationships are greatly affected by the contexts of the situation at
hand. One of the more drastic and often unforgiving contexts for a relationship to find
itself in, is that of a stepfamily, and no part of the new family acts in direct result of this
than the children. Stepchildren has long since been confused and angered by the
daunting situation of a new family structure. Many were thrown off by the prospect of
change, not knowing what was to come or how to react. Even those who were not sure of
the entire event of their parents’ remarrying where concerned about how their new family
members would treat them (DiVerniero, 2007). The two sons in the film, Brennan Huff
and Dale Doback, are instantly apprehensive and against the change ahead of them. Dale
complains that he and his father’s life will be altered, exponentially, being forced to leave
behind his illusion of a world full of bravado and masculinity, just to accept his new
stepmom and step brother. On the other hand, Brennan assumes the approach of
questioning Dr. Doback’s legitimacy as a full-fledged doctor. When his mother tells him
Dr. Doback studied medicine at Northwestern and John Hopkins, Brennan replies that
neither of those schools were up to his liking, and insinuates that he once smoked
marijuana with “Johnny Hopkins,” which was obviously an attempt to belittle the doctor’s
accomplishments.
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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Despite their pessimistic outlook on the new arrangement, both Brennan and Dale
treat their new stepparents with a role-limited interactions. This type of conversation is
the first step to forming a friendship and relies on basic topics, without divulging much
information or going into personal matters. With that being said, Dale and Brennan start
off on a rocky-note. Dale sets a regulative rule, which dictates interaction within a family
structure, that Brennan was not to touch his drum set. When Brennan decides to play
Dale’s drums, the conflict reaches a boiling point, with the two engaging in a full-fledged
fight. As Wood states in regards to regulative rules, “deceitful communication or abuse
may sound the death knell of a friendship” (2008, p.211). In response of the fight, Dr.
Doback and Nancy set their own regulative rules for the two men to follow. One of the
key components for a positive home and for regulative rules to work, is if each parent is
on board with the subsequent action. Researchers have found that the coparenting
dynamic in a relationship is integral to a properly functioning home (Schrodt, 2010).
Despite their intended purpose of punishment, the act forms somewhat of the first
semblance of a bond between the two men.
The second bonding experience, that would ultimately force the men to become
friends, began when Brennan’s younger brother, Derek, came to visit. Derek and Dr.
Doback seem to connect instantly, and appear to have already found themselves in the
friendly relations stage, which is marked each participant checking to see in they share
enough interests to form a strong friendship (Wood, 2008). Oddly enough, Nancy finds
their connection to be odd as well, and this marks the first instance of detraction from
their relationship culture. A relationship culture is the, “private world of rules,
understandings, meanings, and patterns of interacting,” which form the basis of a
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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relationship (Wood, 2008, p.221). This response from Nancy could also be interpreted as
the revising communication stage of the romantic relationship evolution (Wood, 2008).
Because Nancy had been removed from her “euphoric” place in the intensifying stage,
she was able to more objectively assess where she stood with Dr. Dobak. This alteration
in stage placement allowed for her to contemplate the future of her marriage, and whether
or not she agreed with Dr. Dobak’s treatment of Brennan and Dale in comparison to his
instant connection with Derek.
The development of a friendship can take years to formulate, or can happen over
night. After Dale punches Derek in the face, Brennan says, “I know that we started out as
foe. But after that courageous act that you showed me against the one they call Derek,
maybe someday we could become friends” (Step brothers, 2008). After this, Dale and
Brennan retreat to their room, and begin to show one another certain items they each find
interesting. Soon after this, the two begin to divulge potentially embarrassing and
sensitive pieces of information. Brennan and Dale have now entered the moving toward
friendship stage, which involves the desire to shift a relationship to another gear and a
personal touch is added to the relationship dynamic. Through these acts of selfdisclosure, Brennan and Dale realize they have more in common than they ever could
have anticipated. When analyzing this development to the scope of relationship dialects,
which “are opposing and continuous tensions that are normal in all relationships,” the two
have shown that in regards to the third dialect of openness/closedness, they are more
inclined to prescribe to the latter motive (Wood, 2008, p.212-213). After having had
discussed such humiliating details, and yet not being effected whatsoever, it is clear they
do not desire the type of secretive outlook others may be inclined to hold. In response to
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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these new details, the two proclaim to have instantly became best friends. In this act,
they transition into the fourth stage of the relationship evolution, the nascent relationship
stage. This stage is brought on by the initial thoughts of actually being authentic friends.
For the rest of the night, Brennan and Dale act as if they have been lifelong friends.
Two more aspects of relationship dialects can be interpreted during the course of
the film. Both of these instances can be found when Dale and Brennan begin looking for
jobs. Instead of attending the interviews by themselves, the two decide to conduct joint
interviews. This desire to remain together shows a preference towards connectivity in
regards to the autonomy/connection dialect. Brennan and Dale seem to lack the need to
explore their respective independent identities. The second relationship dialect examined
during the course of the interview process is that of novelty/predictability, and their
course of action shows a craving for novelty over predictability. They wear tuxedos, ask
questions of the interviewee, and even just the act of conducting interviews together
shows a tendency to go against the grain (Wood, 2008).
Now that we have seen and focused on the growth and development of certain
relationships, it would be fitting that we examined some aspects of a declining
relationship. After seeing a scarce yet foreshadowing remark or look from Nancy, it was
not until the interview fiasco that signs of a deteriorating relationship begin to show
through. It is evident that Nancy does not wish to inflict the same amount of punishment
as Dr. Dobak does. She give hints to a possible intrapsychic process within herself. An
intrapsychic process is when one or both partners begin to think, intraspectively, about
the problems in their relationship, as well as what they perceive to be shortcomings, on
the behalf of their partner (Wood, 2008). However, if these thoughts of dissatisfaction or
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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conflict are avoided, studies have shown that this is typically a solid indication of a
failing relationship (Caughlin, 2010).
The next step in a weakening relationship is that of the dyadic processes. This
process takes place when established rules, practices and understandings begin to
breakdown (Wood, 2008). Nancy and Dr. Dobak’s relationship begins to show the signs
of these processes after Dale and Brennan destroyed the doctor’s boat. Again, Dr. Dobak
wishes to treat the sons with a firmer hand, while Nancy insists on sensitivity and
understanding. After the conflict reaches a tipping point as a result of Dr. Dobak trying
to wake the two sons when they are sleep walking, the relationship has crumbled to a
point of non-existence.
After the break up of their parents, we see Brennan and Dale have a falling-out,
and their relationship experiences the waning friendship stage, the final stage of the
evolution course of personal relationships, when they decided to mutually cease their
friendship. As Wood indicates, the context in which the relationship occurs can greatly
affect the outcome of the parties involved (2008). Although Brennan and Dale were the
best of friends, the break-up of their parents forced them to fight and blame one another.
In the climax of the film, we see a number of relationships reconnect. First off,
Brennan and Dale’s relationship returns to the fifth relationship stage of friendship, the
stabilized friendship, the portion of which is marked by stability and continuity. This
happens through a musical performance which brings the two on stage. In response to
their griping display of compassion and romance, Dr. Dobak and Nancy rekindle their
relationship. This is brought upon through the resurrection process, which involved each
member moving on in life without the other, and then a return to intensifying stage.
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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Finally, they reached the intimate bonding stage. This stage takes place when the couple
decides to remain with each other permanently. The relationship is transformed, “from
one based on past and present experiences and feelings into one with a future” (Wood,
2008, p.221). It is here that we see the feature of commitment in a personal relationship.
Although the road was rocky, Nancy and Dr. Dobak ended up together, despite the
detractions.
One of the features of a personal relationship featured throughout the story was
that of uniqueness. Because neither man could function or essentially ‘grow-up’ until he
met the other, their connection and friendship was one of a irreplaceable nature. When
they attempted to separate from one another, we saw that they ceased being themselves,
and were, for all intents and purposes, entirely different men.
Throughout this paper the communication principles have been examined within a
step-family structure, whether it be a husband-to-wife, brother-to-brother, or parent- tochild, as they pertain to friendship and romantic motives. By analyzing the various
components of the two aforementioned relationship ideals, various aspects of the film
were relayed to the scope of the features of personal relationships, which were
uniqueness, commitment, contextual affects, and the dialects of the relationships,
themselves. Additionally, all stages of the evolutionary course of personal relationships
were covered, including both friendships and romantic relationship.
With all of this in
mind, the need for competent communication is blatant and unwavering. Without such
abilities to interpret, analyze, and reorganize information regarding communication, this
paper would not have been possible. The ability to view a situation and attribute it to a
communication component can have a drastic effect on any potential outcomes. Today,
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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just as in the past, someone who has never stepped foot on American soil can strive and
achieve the American dream, but one of the main components is that of competent
communication.
COMMUNICATION IN STEP-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
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Works Cited
Caughlin, J., Hardesty, J., & Middleton, A. (2010). Conflict Avoidance in Families:
Functions, Outcomes, and Applied Implications. Conference Papers -International Communication Association, 1.
Decuyper, M., De Bolle, M., & De Fruyt, F. (2012). Personality similarity, perceptual
accuracy, and relationship satisfaction in dating and married couples. Personal
Relationships, 19(1), 128-145.
DiVerniero, R. (2007). Dialectical Tensions in Communication with Extended Stepfamily
Members. Conference Papers — National Communication Association, 1.
DiVerniero, R. A. (2011). Stepchildren’s Communication to Manage Uncertainty in
Stepfamilies. Texas Speech Communication Journal, 36(1), 24-42.
McKay, A. (Director). (2009). Step brothers [Motion Picture]. United States: Sony
Pictures.
Schrodt, P. (2010). Coparental Communication with Nonresidential Parents as a Predictor
of Couples’ Relational Satisfaction and Mental Health in Stepfamilies. Western
Journal Of Communication, 74(5), 484-503.
Wood, J. T. (2008). Communication mosaics: An introduction to the field of
communication. (5th ed.). Boston: Wadsworth Pub Co.
Running head: AN EXAMINATION OF WAR ROOM
An Examination of War Room
Tanner Antles
Santa Barbara City College
Comm 101: 57403
April 17, 2016
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Running head: AN EXAMINATION OF WAR ROOM
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Interpersonal communication is the study of communication between people. According
to Julia Wood, Scholars of interpersonal communication study how communication creates and
sustains relationships and how partners communicate to deal with the normal and extraordinary
challenges of maintaining intimacy (Wood, 32). While this branch of communication has been
used to analyze a variety of dyads, there are few more prevalent than the husband-wife
relationship. Additionally, within the husband-wife dyad, there is immense scholarly focus on
conflict and what causes it (Burggraf & Sillars, 1987). This essay will focus on conflict within
the husband-wife dyad, which is demonstrated in the film War Room, directed by Alex Kendrick.
Specifically, this essay will address the nature of conflict, and what causes it, including: Verbal
and nonverbal communication, level of meaning, listening, masculinity and femininity, as well as
the following ways in which conflict can be resolved: Grace, mediators, bracketing, and
interpersonal confirmation.
The film War Room focuses on the distant and conflict-wrought relationship between a
husband and wife. While on the outside, they live a seemingly perfect existenceliving in a
beautiful large home with nice cars and good jobs–an internal examination of their relationship
shows a variety cracks which induce stress and argumentation. The husband, Tony (T.C.
Stallings), struggles with temptation, nearly cheating on his wife and stealing from the company
where he works. His wife, Elizabeth (Priscilla Shirer), in turn, becomes increasingly dissatisfied
with her crumbling marriage, and becomes extremely hateful towards her husband. Things take a
turn for the better however, when Elizabeth takes on a new client, Miss Clara (Karen
Abercrombie), who encourages the couple to find happiness through prayer and demonstrates
positive relationship maintenance.
Running head: AN EXAMINATION OF WAR ROOM
3
Conflict; what is it, and what causes it? These are important questions to ask when
analyzing a relationship littered with it. The literal definition of conflict is that is exists when,
People who depend on each other have different views, interests, values, responsibilities, or
objectives, and perceive their differences as incompatible (Wood, 141). The term conflict
may be broken up into two parts: overt conflict and covert conflict. Overt conflict occurs when
people express differences in a straightforward manner, whereas covert conflict exists when
people express disagreement …
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