interpersonal communication in cars

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Interpersonal Communication in Cars CMS 330 Fall 2013 Dee Menear Image: disneyvault.net

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CMS 330 Fall 2013 University of Southern Maine Prof. Maureen Ebben

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Interpersonal Communication in Cars

CMS 330 Fall 2013 Dee Menear

Image: disneyvault.net

Page 2: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Major Characters

• Lightening McQueen

• Mater• Sally• Doc

Page 3: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Intercultural Communication

Lightening McQueen experiences culture shock when he finds himself in Radiator Springs.

The local characters are proud of their forgotten town.

McQueen is used to a fast paced, unstoppable society.

Communication is limited because, although they are all cars, their culture and values are exceedingly different.

For instance: McQueen tells a pair of tourists that he was in hillbilly hell. This was hurtful to the residents who took pride in their town and way of life.

Page 4: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Disclosure-Privacy Dialect

Doc is private about his past racing life not letting anyone in.

His motivation in keeping his privacy is an example of risk-benefit analysis.

Doc can not see a benefit for disclosing this information but the risks include embarrassment and vulnerability.

As Doc mentors McQueen he slowly opens up until a final scene where he has disclosed fully to his neighbors, McQueen and racing fans that is his indeed the famous Doc Hudson.

This is also an example of social penetration theory as described by Shrek.

Page 5: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Self-disclosure

• Unlike Doc, Mater’s self disclosure practice is to let it all out. He is unafraid of hiding any detail about himself.

• Right from the beginning his relationship cycle with McQueen, Mater lacks the social skill of appropriately self disclosing.

• This disclosure is not reciprocated from McQueen until appropriately later in their relationship.

Page 6: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Self-talk/self-perception & ineffective communication

• Sally shows us she is insecure through her self-talk.• When visitors show up to Radiator Springs, she springs

into motion getting the town ready. Her self-perception is shown in this scene. She believes she knows what is best for the town.

• Sally talks herself into getting mentally ready for what visitors mean. It appears that she is anxious about visitors.

• This anxiety shows when she fails to have effective conversations with the visitors. She controls the one sided conversation not letting the visitors express their needs.

Page 7: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Mid-film critique

• By the middle of the movie I was frustrated that none of these characters were communicating effectively.

• McQueen and Sally were stubbornly not sharing their feelings for each other.

• Doc was not sharing much of himself with anyone.• McQueen’s nonverbal and verbal communication

said, “Get me out of here.” He is so self absorbed that he doesn’t listen to or care for those around him.

• Mater is sharing too much however he is the best communicator so far. He makes a good mentor for McQueen.

Page 8: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Spatial Use

• McQueen’s personal space differs slightly from everyday proxemics of the average American.

• He allows intimate or personal distance with his fans.

• In most conversations with those that could further his career he does seem to maintain a social distance.

• With the residents of Radiator Springs his need for personal space evolves as his relationships change. What starts as public distance becomes intimate and personal.

Page 9: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Empathy

• As he builds relationships, McQueen empathizes with residents. He connects with their feelings and acts on his perception.

• In one scene, McQueen surprises Sally with an evening that showed her towns assets in it’s heyday.

• In another, he manages to bring racing headquarters to town; thus revitalizing the once forgotten place.

• In a final scene McQueen gives up his dream to help The King over the finish line. He has moved from thinking selfishly to acting selflessly.

Page 10: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Nonverbal Messages

• We learn by her eye contact and facial expressions that Sally is hurt when McQueen leaves for the Piston Cup.

• Her eyes look downward and to the right when she tells him to go. This movement indicates feelings are being hidden(i).

• Her behavior provides us with information. She really doesn’t want him to go but she also gives the image that she is a tough, independent girl.

(i)www.nlpu.com/Articles/artic14.htm

Page 11: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Developing Relationships

• McQueen cycles from having no close relationships to having many intimate relationships.

• As he thinks less of himself and more of others he develops a need to be included in his surroundings.

• The time and energy involved in building and maintaining these relationships are worth the cost in that he gains a need to love and be loved.

• His relationships with Sally, Doc, Mater and other characters grows as his desire to please himself lessens.

Page 12: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

The End

Communication and relationship skills are developed in the movie.

The animators did a wonderful job of giving the cars life and life like nuances.

Although McQueen is the main character and we see him learning communication skills, all other characters give an insight to communication styles and issues.

This was a delightful film to watch while studying interpersonal communication.

Page 13: Interpersonal Communication in Cars

Fun Fact

• Stanley, the statue of the car in front of the fire station, is a Stanley Steamer. The steamers were built by F.E and F.O. Stanley at the turn of the 20th century. The Stanley brothers are from my hometown, Kingfield, ME.

• pixar.wikia.com• www.stanleymuseum.org