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.