Interpersonal Conflict In Television
George Morgan
COM200: Interpersonal Communication
Instructor, Elizabeth E. Nelson
January 1, 2016
Relationship conflicts happen in television, just as they happen in everyday life. As in life, one can see interpersonal conflict in television that could have been resolved in a better way. I noticed interpersonal conflict in a television episode of "The Big Bang Theory" titled "The Empathy Optimization". Kaplan, E., Holland, S., Molaro, S., Lorre, C., & Cohen, R. (Executive producers). (2007-2014). The big bang theory [Television series]. United States: Columbia Broadcasting System. The resolution to the conflict could have been resolved better by using efficient methods of communicating between the actors. Verbal and non-verbal communications were not used to the scripts best advantage. The ability to listen, along with the use of problem solving skills, were not used effectively.
We must remember this is a comedy series, involving several characters with different perceptions of what reality is. The conflicts in this particular episode revolves around empathy, and the actions and reactions, involving one of the characters temporary sickness. The sick persons’ empathic friends took into consideration their sick friends perspective, as well as his thoughts and feelings. His friends recalled similar experiences in their own lives that had generated needy feelings of their own. Their sick friend complained about being sick, expecting to be responded to in a substantial way. His friends did not devalue or judge him, they understood the trauma he was feeling because of his sickness. The sick friend became very demanding of his friends, asking many special favors. The friends catered to his wishes, due to the empathy they had. When the sickness was over and the person felt better, his friends were upset with him because he had used empathy to control their actions towards him. In response, he complained that they didn't do enough for him while he was sick, which upset them even more.
To understand available options to improve the outcome of such a situation, we must first understand that empathy is related to our self-control over our behavior. Empathy can create a healthier relationship over time if one is aware of the other persons needs and is willing to make personal sacrifices to meet those needs. Bevan, J. L., & Sole, K. (2014). The sick mans’ friends showed remarkable self-control when fulfilling his requests; however, his response to them was not positive, creating inequities in their relationships.
The sick man could have responded by rewarding his friends for their care and attention. Research shows that rewards are a important part of interpersonal relationships. The idea is logical and simple, yet scholars had trouble initially formulating an explanation why rewards were an important role in building and maintaining relationships. According to the "Socia Exchange Theory" by Harold Kelley and John Thibaut (1978), the notion of tangible and intangible rewards versus costs to our relationships with others depends on the value one places on continuing or expanding a given relationship. People share a natural tendency to minimize the cost of a relationship while maximizing their rewards. In this senario, the sick man wanted maximum rewards with no cost.
Another way to reach a positive resolution would be to restore equity. The sick man could change his behavior and his responses toward his friends. Changing one's behavior can balance the inequity in this instance. Studies have shown that persons that feel under-benefited also feel disadvantaged, and over-benefited individuals tend to change behavior due to feelings of guilt. Sato, Sai, (2009). A simple "thank you" card or a token gift may not have worked in this case. A change in the sick man's behavior may well be the only acceptable resolution his friends are willing to accept.
Although this is only a television series, it is a reflection of life and the situations people experience in everyday life. All too often our interpersonal communications take an unexpected turn because people take too much for granted. Not taking time to think of other peoples needs and feelings often lead to the end of relationships that could have been saved by employing empathy. This particular episode of "The Big Bang Theory" provides insight into just how a person can be miss-lead by one's own lack of concern for other peoples’ feelings.
Interpersonal Conflict In Television
George Morgan
COM200: Interpersonal Communication
Instructor, Elizabeth E. Nelson
January 1, 2016
Relationship conflicts happen in television, just as they happen in everyday life. As in life, one can see interpersonal conflict in television that could have been resolved in a better way. I noticed interpersonal conflict in a television episode of "The Big Bang Theory" titled "The Empathy Optimization". Kaplan, E., Holland, S., Molaro, S., Lorre, C., & Cohen, R. (Executive producers). (2007-2014). The big bang theory [Television series]. United States: Columbia Broadcasting System. The resolution to the conflict could have been resolved better by using efficient methods of communicating between the actors. Verbal and non-verbal communications were not used to the scripts best advantage. The ability to listen, along with the use of problem solving skills, were not used effectively.
We must remember this is a comedy series, involving several characters with different perceptions of what reality is. The conflicts in this particular episode revolves around empathy, and the actions and reactions, involving one of the characters temporary sickness. The sick persons’ empathic friends took into consideration their sick friends perspective, as well as his thoughts and feelings. His friends recalled similar experiences in their own lives that had generated needy feelings of their own. Their sick friend complained about being sick, expecting to be responded to in a substantial way. His friends did not devalue or judge him, they understood the trauma he was feeling because of his sickness. The sick friend became very demanding of his friends, asking many special favors. The friends catered to his wishes, due to the empathy they had. When the sickness was over and the person felt better, his friends were upset with him because he had used empathy to control their actions towards him. In response, he complained that they didn't do enough for him while he was sick, which upset them even more.
To understand available options to improve the outcome of such a situation, we must first understand that empathy is related to our self-control over our behavior. Empathy can create a healthier relationship over time if one is aware of the other persons needs and is willing to make personal sacrifices to meet those needs. Bevan, J. L., & Sole, K. (2014). The sick mans’ friends showed remarkable self-control when fulfilling his requests; however, his response to them was not positive, creating inequities in their relationships.
The sick man could have responded by rewarding his friends for their care and attention. Research shows that rewards are a important part of interpersonal relationships. The idea is logical and simple, yet scholars had trouble initially formulating an explanation why rewards were an important role in building and maintaining relationships. According to the "Socia Exchange Theory" by Harold Kelley and John Thibaut (1978), the notion of tangible and intangible rewards versus costs to our relationships with others depends on the value one places on continuing or expanding a given relationship. People share a natural tendency to minimize the cost of a relationship while maximizing their rewards. In this senario, the sick man wanted maximum rewards with no cost.
Another way to reach a positive resolution would be to restore equity. The sick man could change his behavior and his responses toward his friends. Changing one's behavior can balance the inequity in this instance. Studies have shown that persons that feel under-benefited also feel disadvantaged, and over-benefited individuals tend to change behavior due to feelings of guilt. Sato, Sai, (2009). A simple "thank you" card or a token gift may not have worked in this case. A change in the sick man's behavior may well be the only acceptable resolution his friends are willing to accept.
Although this is only a television series, it is a reflection of life and the situations people experience in everyday life. All too often our interpersonal communications take an unexpected turn because people take too much for granted. Not taking time to think of other peoples needs and feelings often lead to the end of relationships that could have been saved by employing empathy. This particular episode of "The Big Bang Theory" provides insight into just how a person can be miss-lead by one's own lack of concern for other peoples’ feelings.
Interpersonal Conflict In Television
George Morgan
COM200: Interpersonal Communication
Instructor, Elizabeth E. Nelson
January 1, 2016
Relationship conflicts happen in television, just as they happen in everyday life. As in life, one can see interpersonal conflict in television that could have been resolved in a better way. I noticed interpersonal conflict in a television episode of "The Big Bang Theory" titled "The Empathy Optimization". Kaplan, E., Holland, S., Molaro, S., Lorre, C., & Cohen, R. (Executive producers). (2007-2014). The big bang theory [Television series]. United States: Columbia Broadcasting System. The resolution to the conflict could have been resolved better by using efficient methods of communicating between the actors. Verbal and non-verbal communications were not used to the scripts best advantage. The ability to listen, along with the use of problem solving skills, were not used effectively.
We must remember this is a comedy series, involving several characters with different perceptions of what reality is. The conflicts in this particular episode revolves around empathy, and the actions and reactions, involving one of the characters temporary sickness. The sick persons’ empathic friends took into consideration their sick friends perspective, as well as his thoughts and feelings. His friends recalled similar experiences in their own lives that had generated needy feelings of their own. Their sick friend complained about being sick, expecting to be responded to in a substantial way. His friends did not devalue or judge him, they understood the trauma he was feeling because of his sickness. The sick friend became very demanding of his friends, asking many special favors. The friends catered to his wishes, due to the empathy they had. When the sickness was over and the person felt better, his friends were upset with him because he had used empathy to control their actions towards him. In response, he complained that they didn't do enough for him while he was sick, which upset them even more.
To understand available options to improve the outcome of such a situation, we must first understand that empathy is related to our self-control over our behavior. Empathy can create a healthier relationship over time if one is aware of the other persons needs and is willing to make personal sacrifices to meet those needs. Bevan, J. L., & Sole, K. (2014). The sick mans’ friends showed remarkable self-control when fulfilling his requests; however, his response to them was not positive, creating inequities in their relationships.
The sick man could have responded by rewarding his friends for their care and attention. Research shows that rewards are a important part of interpersonal relationships. The idea is logical and simple, yet scholars had trouble initially formulating an explanation why rewards were an important role in building and maintaining relationships. According to the "Socia Exchange Theory" by Harold Kelley and John Thibaut (1978), the notion of tangible and intangible rewards versus costs to our relationships with others depends on the value one places on continuing or expanding a given relationship. People share a natural tendency to minimize the cost of a relationship while maximizing their rewards. In this senario, the sick man wanted maximum rewards with no cost.
Another way to reach a positive resolution would be to restore equity. The sick man could change his behavior and his responses toward his friends. Changing one's behavior can balance the inequity in this instance. Studies have shown that persons that feel under-benefited also feel disadvantaged, and over-benefited individuals tend to change behavior due to feelings of guilt. Sato, Sai, (2009). A simple "thank you" card or a token gift may not have worked in this case. A change in the sick man's behavior may well be the only acceptable resolution his friends are willing to accept.
Although this is only a television series, it is a reflection of life and the situations people experience in everyday life. All too often our interpersonal communications take an unexpected turn because people take too much for granted. Not taking time to think of other peoples needs and feelings often lead to the end of relationships that could have been saved by employing empathy. This particular episode of "The Big Bang Theory" provides insight into just how a person can be miss-lead by one's own lack of concern for other peoples’ feelings.
References:
Bevan, J. L., & Sole, K. (2014). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication (2nd ed.) [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/
Kaplan, E., Holland, S., Molaro, S., Lorre, C., & Cohen, R. (Executive producers). (2007-2014). The big bang theory [Television series]. United States: Columbia Broadcasting System.
Sato, Sai. Conference Papers -- National Communication Association. 2009, p1. 0p. , Database: Communication & Mass Media Complete
References:
Bevan, J. L., & Sole, K. (2014). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication (2nd ed.) [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/
Kaplan, E., Holland, S., Molaro, S., Lorre, C., & Cohen, R. (Executive producers). (2007-2014). The big bang theory [Television series]. United States: Columbia Broadcasting System.
Sato, Sai. Conference Papers -- National Communication Association. 2009, p1. 0p. , Database: Communication & Mass Media Complete
References:
Bevan, J. L., & Sole, K. (2014). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication (2nd ed.) [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/
Kaplan, E., Holland, S., Molaro, S., Lorre, C., & Cohen, R. (Executive producers). (2007-2014). The big bang theory [Television series]. United States: Columbia Broadcasting System.
Sato, Sai. Conference Papers -- National Communication Association. 2009, p1. 0p. , Database: Communication & Mass Media Complete 