Case Study Reflection

I enjoyed taking this course on Communication and Relationships. From this course I’ve been able to learn many different concepts, some I didn’t know about and others I was able to relate to. For this class, I had to select five different cases to analysis.  The five cases came from five different modules. Within each module were different communication concepts I had to apply to the case I was analyzing. From these cases is where I learned what the concepts meant and how to apply them.

The first case I analyzed was Moving Up. This case is about a young man named Jim who was becoming orientated with the law firm he was working for. This case introduced several communication and relationships concepts, such as the communication perspective, self in the context of the relationship, and relationship in the context of the self. These concepts were illustrated by Jim. Reading this case taught me how relationships are formed, managed, and change over time through the communication perspective. Relationships are governed by rules, making them dynamic. Meaning over time relationship change, once this occurs the rules that are established within the relationship would need to change. It’s these rules that help individuals manage their relationships from moment to moment. What I found interesting about this case is learning that individuals act on how they see themselves based on their relationships. This is called in the context of the relationship and self. For example, the relationship Jim has with this family helped formed his sense of self. In the law firm he works for, Jim views himself as a good attorney, although due to his upbringing and his relationship with this family, Jim’s sense of self hasn’t been established professionally.

The second case was No Strings Attached with Lindsay and Jerod. Lindsay and Jerod first met in a bar and quickly became friends with benefits. Part taking in a relationship such as theirs have shown some advantages and disadvantage that can occur. For example, each individual is able to manage their autonomy by decided when to see each other. Despite having this, usually one individual may start to feel the relationship isn’t stabile and would like more out of the relationship. Wanting more out of a no strings attached relationship can create uncertainly and turbulence, especially when the other individual doesn’t feel the same way. Managing uncertainly and turbulence can be done through relational negotiation in which the individual realizes what they need from the other individual. This case helped me to realize what can occur in this type of relationship and how hurtful it can be for one individual.

The third case was A Place for Connecting. This case is about four college students, David, Ben, Chloe, and Allison and how they managed their impressions on Facebook and in their interactions with one another. This case cover such concepts such as impression management, identity, close and interpersonal relationships, the enactment layer, rituals and episodes. What I learned from this case is how important it is for everyone to manage their impression, not only online but also in their personal life. After reading this case I’ve became more aware of the impression I’m sending out online and in my personal life. If I chose not to do this, others looking at my Facebook page may receive a false impression of myself or a miscommunication.

One of the major concepts that was highlighted in this case is secret keeping, topic avoidance, and miscommunication. When these three concepts are occurring at the same time, or even separately, it can pose a risk to a relationship, especially if it’s a close one.  What I learned is that it’s best not to divulge someone else secret nor to keep secrets from someone I have a close relationship with. The results of doing this can lead to a dissolving of the relationship if it cannot be repaired.

The fourth case, We’ll Never Be That Kind of Couple is about Emma and Jason moving next door to a couple who violently fights. This case highlighted several important concepts relating to relational violence, and what may occur if a relationship is plaque with it. Some of the concepts include bargaining strategy, competitive symmetrical interactions and hard emotions. Competitive symmetrical interactions occur when two individuals switch off on who provides the one-ups. A one-up is an act asserting control over another individual. It is commonly assumed relational violence comes in the form of physical fights. Although, with the help of this case I learned that assumption is false. Relational violence also includes verbal threats, intimidation, and acts of power control, such as competitive symmetrical interactions.

The fifth case, I’m Sorry For Your Loss is about how Susan Lawrence learned how to provide her best friend Libby Johnson emotional support after the death of her mother. In this case I learned such concepts as reappraisal of emotions, dialectical tension, and most importantly when and how to provide emotional support. Being able to provide emotional support is an essential part of every relationship. Emotional support doesn’t end after a day, instead it’s an ongoing process. Being able to provide this correctly will show the other individual you accept them, you’re interested and open to hearing their personal feelings, and you’re able to help them through the difficult time they may be going through.

After analyzing and applying the concepts to the cases, I feel I’ve been provided with essential information. The application of the concepts helped me to understand the cases more proficiently and it taught me the correct format of how to use them. To answer the question on whether or not I’ll be taking what I learned from this class with me, the answer is yes. I realized a couple of weeks ago I’ve already started using some of the concepts I’ve learned and applied them into my personal and professional life.

I would like to personally thank all my classmates and professor for helping me understand the material, as well as giving me positive feedback on this blog. I wish every one of you the best of luck in all your future endeavors.

I'm Sorry for Your Loss

The case I’m Sorry For Your Loss is about how Susan Lawrence learns how to provide her best friend Libby Johnston emotional support after the death of her mother. Susan and Libby are close friends. Their co-orientation towards one another has insured their friendship for the past 15 years. This co-orientation includes Libby parents, especially her mother Marianne. The three of them spent several afternoons baking cookies and giggle about a neighbor boy. Marianne also supports the girls during their volleyball games and was there to help them cheer on the school’s football team.

It was during one afternoon while the three of them where baking cookies when Marianne learned about her fatale diagnosis. From that time on Susan was there to provide Marianna and Libby emotional support. As Libby was coping with her mother, Libby had to reappraise her emotions. Reappraisal of emotions is reframing an emotional response by trying to figure out new ways on how to cope with a situation so the individual may feel better. Libby accomplished this by becoming a little bit quieter, and by not returning to college temporary so she can spend time with her mother.

After the death of her mother, experiencing the hard emotion of hurt Libby became quieter. She was trying to reappraise her situation by staying at home and spending time with her father. Two months went by without Susan and Libby having contact. Susan wasn’t aware of what was going on with Libby. She assumed Libby would be fine. In turn, Susan invited Libby out on a summer outing to meet someone; only to find out Libby wasn’t interested. This causes Libby to become angry with Susan for not caring about her feelings. To put meaning into these actions, Susan discontinued providing Libby emotional support because she wasn’t certain on how. Instead Susan went on with her life. Libby in turn needs Susan so she disclose her feeling about how much she misses her mom. Although, she feels like Susan wouldn’t understand. With each girl feeling uncertain about the other it causes a great amount of turbulence and uncertainly in their friendship which leads to a dialectical tension. According to the dialectical theory there is a tension between two voices, autonomy and integration.

After the summer, on a whim Susan enrolled in a death and dying course. Susan felt this class could help her understand what Libby was going through. One day after class, Susan approached her professor Dr. Harrison and discloses her feelings regarding Libby and their friendship. Dr. Harrison proved to be a good resource for Susan. She taught Susan about the grieving process and how it was normal for Libby to be withdrawal and sad for the time being. To provide Libby emotional support, Susan learned she needed to allow Libby the freedom to be in the stage of grief that she is in. One of the best things for Susan to do right now for Libby is to accept this.  Susan can further help Libby by listening to her talk about her mother and her feeling, if Libby wanted to. Dr. Harrison went further along to explain how it’s important for Susan to provide Libby the emotional support on continuous bases. Providing emotional support doesn’t end after a day, instead it’s an ongoing process. The case ends with Susan surprising Libby at her mother’s grave site. After asking why she was there, Susan tells Libby how much she misses Marianne and apologizes for not being there for her, then she offers Libby the chance to talk.

We'll Never Be That Kind Of Couple

The case, We’ll Never Be That Kind of Couple is about Emma and Jason moving next door to a couple who violently fights. The neighbor’s fights are loud and aggressive to the point where physical abuse comes into play. At the beginning of this case Emma acknowledges how she and Jason do tend to argue, although not as bad as their neighbors. Despite their arguments, both individuals promise one another not to become like the couple next door.

As Emma and Jason adjust to living at their new residence, they slowly begin to fight as violently as the couple next door. At first, their fights are pretty mediocre to say the least. For example, during one evening Emma and Jason were watching Grey’s Anatomy when Jason illustrates a one-up by turning the channel to watch the first round of Major League Baseball playoffs. A one-up is an act asserting control over another individual. Emma’s reaction to Jason’s action is what helped to develop the fight. In response to Emma, Jason tells her she can watch the show on the internet the following day. Hearing Jason’s response angered Emma, she didn’t want to miss a part of her favorite show. When she noticed Jason wasn’t complying with her request on turning the channel, she illustrates a one-up by trying to impose the power ploy bargaining strategy. A bargaining strategy involves doing something for someone if they agree to do something for you. Emma fails in her attempt and had to accept a one-down. A one-down is an act in which an individual accepts the leadership or control of the other individual. Accepting the one-down, Emma went upstairs to finish watching her show. The following morning a one-across act was illustrated. Neither individual asserted nor accepted control from one another, feeling deeply hurt over the argument they chose not to communicate. At this point Emma and Jason share in a competitive symmetry interaction control pattern. A competitive symmetry interaction occurs when two individuals switch off on who provides the one-ups. Symmetrical acts can be a little problematic. When competitive symmetry acts frequently occurs in interactions it is called a symmetrical pattern

As the seasons change, Emma and Jason continued to overhear their next door neighbor. The longer they stay living next door, the more they realize how aggressive the neighbors are becoming. For example, during one argument the male illustrated jealousy towards the female, as well as physical abuse by shattering a glass and possibly hitting the woman.  Jealousy is one of the four hard emotions; the other three are anger, hurt and guilt. Individuals tend to feel jealous when they are deeply hurt, guilty and angry; it’s a blended and complex emotion. After the neighbors argument Emma and Jason also illustrated jealousy, resentment, and hostility in their own terms. For example, after arriving home one day, Emma felt irritated with Jason after realizing he was making pizza again. Jason violated her relational expectation for not being motivated in making her something special for dinner. During dinner, realizing Jason needed to talk, she openly snapped at him when asking what he needed to talk about. At this point Jason illustrates jealousy by confronting Emma about choosing to be friends with an ex-boyfriend on Facebook. Through Jason’s hostility, he insults Emma by calling her stupid. As the argument heats up Emma illustrates physical abuse when she pours her dinner items and drink down Jason’s pants. Jason illustrates acquiesce by giving up and leaving.

Once things settle down Emma and Jason both take responsibility for the way they reacted to each other and apologized. Noticing a negative pattern in their relationship they both decide to work on it. Emma and Jason negotiate to have a date night once a week as a way to curtail their arguments. It is after this negotiation when a turning point in the couple’s relationship occurred. Jason violated the relational expectation of date night with Emma by making plans to go out with his friends. Feeling like Jason doesn’t care about their relationship; Emma becomes hurt. As a way to apologize, Jason buys Emma a vase a flowers before going home. Thinking Jason was keeping his plans with his friends, Emma decides to go out as well. Emma’s interpretation of Jason’s plans causes another episode of fighting between them. Despite Jason’s change of plans, Emma continues with hers. Before Emma leaves she throws the vase of flowers down, shattering the vase. Her action was to show Jason what she thought about the flowers. In the morning, shaken from the results of the argument, Emma and Jason both apologized to one another. Realized their arguments are turning violent, both individuals negotiated not to resort to violence again.  

Individuals make their relationship and aspects of their relationship through communication. A pattern of control is another aspect of the relationship that is made. In Emma and Jason’s case their relationship is one of rational violence that is plagued with episodes of rational power control and hard emotions. Reading this case one could assume Emma and Jason are mirroring their next door neighbor’s relationship. Although, the difference between them and Emma and Jason relationship, is that Emma and Jason both realizes what is occurring. The case leaves off with Emma and Jason both negotiating to reframe their emotions by not resorting to violence again. Reframing is trying to put a different way of interpreting to what one feels. For example, counting to ten before responding when one feels a hard emotion. If Emma and Jason can work on reframing their emotions, refuse to participate in relational violent episodes, and create new rules to change their pattern of control over one another, than I believe over time their relationship can change into a positive one.