 Remember, this is only to serve as a guide  You should not COPY any of this material  When you complete your analysis, compare your write up to this example  Ask yourself: “Did I tie multiple concepts together? Did I provide examples? Did I use terminology from the textbook?”  Make sure you are focusing on INTERPERSONL COMMUNICATION; can also mention impersonal communication if you explain WHY it is impersonal › So, do not look for/use examples of mass comm., public comm., small group comm., etc. Remember, you are always welcomed to stop by my office to ask questions

 The film Crash serves as an effective guidepost by illustrating how individuals should not behave when communicating with one another. Although there are several examples, I will begin by focusing on the relationship between Christine Thayer and Officer Ryan.  Note: Because you have seen this film as a class and because this is a brief example, I do not explain each scene. You would need to briefly explain the scene to help with your explanations.

 During the car crash scene, Christine communicates both nonverbally and verbally that she does not wish to be saved by Officer Ryan. Her tears, screaming, and arm gestures pushing him off help communicate this clearly. She is communicating that she is fearful, yet upset.  Having seen earlier parts of the movie and by reading Officer Ryan’s facial expressions (e.g. a look of surprise), viewers understand that Christine’s response is influenced heavily by the historical context (since I haven’t seen your film, you’d elaborate here to tell me what the historical context was) of the situation and the beginning relational history (and you’d elaborate here…) that she has with Officer Ryan.

 While they do engage in impersonal communication earlier in the film, the unpleasant experience they shared served as relational history and also causes Christine to read Officer Ryan’s attempt to help as an inappropriate, sexual advance.  Thus, at this point, the movie illustrates how using communication to cause harm to others (the dark side of communication) can impact future encounters and the way in which messages are decoded. the way she decodes his verbal and nonverbal behaviors is impacted by their previous encounter.  Perhaps if Officer Ryan had not sexually assaulted Christine earlier in the film, she would not have read his current attempts to help as another inappropriate sexual advance.

 The encounter between Christine and Officer Ryan also illustrates examples of emotions and the way in which they are communicated verbally and nonverbally.  Reflecting back to Christine’s reaction to Officer Ryan as her “rescuer”, one can see how she communicates her disdain for him by communicating emotionally. Her crying and yelling communicated her anger, as well as her pain from their previous encounter.

 In addition, we also see how communicating with others can lead to a change in perceptions and self- concept. For example, you can tell from Officer Ryan’s nonverbal behavior (e.g. facial expressions) that Christine’s emotional outburst caused him to feel shame. Here, we have an example of emotional effect: Christine's rage caused Officer Ryan’s shame.  Her emotional outburst explained her perception of the officer. This resulting shame, in turn, caused him to re-evaluate his own self-concept. Thus, the film illustrates how our negative actions can impact future communication encounters. In addition, it illustrates how communicating our emotions can have large impacts on others.

 Additional examples of interpersonal communication can be found within the interactions between Officer Hansen and Cameron…..

 Section on Culture › Discuss Farhad and shop owner › Discuss Jean and maid  Section on Perceptions › Discuss Cameron and Anthony › Discuss Christine and Cameron › Discuss Cameron and Producer