Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Introduction

Communication is one of the essential skills in a person’s life. For any meaningful human progress, there must be communication for most failures, communication part of the causes of the failures. Friendships and relationships thrive on communication, and a breakdown in communication causes the end of such relations. In a survey of more than a thousand people, 53% cited communication problems as the primary cause of marriage failures, above finances 38%, and in-law interferences 14%. Warren Buffet, one of the wealthiest people in the world, once said that to become 50% more worth than one is now, one needs to hone their communication skills. This paper explains the various interpersonal communication theories and discusses and analyses the series Parenthood concerning interpersonal communication.

Theories of Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal communication (IPC) has many theories, divided into three. There are individual-centered theories, interaction centered, and relationship-centered theories.

Individual centered theories of IPC

These are theories that help in the understanding of how humans plan, produce, and process IPC messages (ref1—). An example is the Imagined interaction theory (II), developed by James M. Honeycutt. This is about a mental representation of an interaction that a person may have during the day (ref1—). For instance, a person may be going for an interview and starts imagining the questions one might be asked and how to respond to them. Also, a person may relive an interaction that happened in the immediate past and how it could have turned out if we had said different things (ref1—).

Discourse/Interaction centered theories of IPC.

These are theories that help in the understanding of communication as an interaction between persons. The theories focus on the content and functions of the messages and the behavioral interaction between people (ref1—-). An example is the Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT). Proposed by Howard Giles and Jordan Soliz, CAT helps in understanding why we communicate the way we do with others, the nature of our communication choices, and the relational identity and outcomes of these choices (ref1—235).

Relationship theories of IPC

These theories help us understand why and how we dissolve and develop relationships. An example is the Attachment theory, developed by Laura K. Guerrero. It helps us in understanding people’s reactions, the differences in their communication (ref1—). There are four attachment styles for adults: secure, dismissive, occupied, and fearful, and they are reflected in our day-to-day communication.

Parenthood

In the episode, we see Adam’s family shopping when they run into Max’s old baseball team. Trying to avoid them, Adam tells his wife not to talk to the coach, but the coach talks to Adam and convinces Max to rejoin the team. Meanwhile, Kate and Crosby are trying to have a baby in three years, but due to her age, the Obstetrician advises them to try now, in the present.

We see max playing baseball. This shows he got back to the team. However, he is not participating in any way, and according to his teammate, it was the coach’s idea for him to stand and do nothing. Most of Adam’s conversation with Max is not healthy. Max is always avoiding the conversations and cutting short Adam while he is talking and also refusing his advances.

Parenthood and Interpersonal Communication

In the obstetrician office, the body language of Crosby shows how uneasy he is when they are told to try having a baby now rather than wait. His face shows displeasure with the idea. Later, when Crosby tells Katie, he is a father, it gives us something to think. He has been hiding this from Katie and probably the reaction in the Obstetricians’ office. In the baseball game, we note of healthy family communication in Max’s family. Everyone is there, and they are concerned about him not being involved. The girls interfere with a conversation about Max and baseball but are somehow ignored. This is a typical healthy family with healthy interactions. However, it reminds us of the defensive communication style that Adam had before with the Coach while they were shopping. He was defensive and even told his wife not to talk to him. After the game, Adam tries to teach Max how to play baseball at home, giving them compliments when they play the right way. The support Max gets, both in the field and at home, shows a healthy and supportive family. This is further supported by the healthy conversations going on at the family dinner. In the end, we see Max catching a ball in the game, driving the team wild. This shows the power of support in a person’s life.

Sarah’s interpersonal conflict with Amber is in a secure environment. Amber admits to copying her mother’s work, showing she gives in and avoids the conflict escalating. She gives her reasons to her mother, who doesn’t give a damn about them. Sarah’s conversation with Mr. sears validates attraction theory, where Mr. sear tells her how intelligence and originality was used in the paper, giving exact details of the article. He assures Sarah that it is not misguided. The reaction on Sarah’s face shows she like Mr. Sear due to his interpretation of the paper, even without realizing that it was Sarah’s paper that Amber copied. Mr. Sear’s description of the paper seems very attractive, which tells Sarah she is beautiful since she is the author. This makes her open up on what she does, without trying to impress Mr. Sears.

When preparing to leave for work, Julia talks to Sydney about the roles she plays. She tells her to take the role of a princess. Previously we had seen Sydney tell Julia of playing the role of a gardener, a royal dresser, but mostly she plays the role of the maid while her friend is ALWAYS playing the role of the princess. Analyzing Sydney’s interaction with her friend, concerning attachment theory makes us conclude imbalance in their relationship. Sydney’s friend is somehow secure and assertive, thus playing the role of the princess, while Sydney herself is not, which makes Julia tell her to reverse the roles next time they play.

Conclusion

Watching parenthood teaches us a lot about communication, family support, and relationships. Communication is vital for human existence since we need it to tell others what we want and need. Relationships and families are based on communication. Also, how we communicate says other how we think about them, and can make others even fall in love with a person. We see Mr. Sears describe Sarah’s paper intelligently and beautifully, which makes Sarah feel self-assertive and confident. Such is the power of communication in people’s lives.