Interpersonal Communication Behavior Observed - Paper example

Introduction

Understanding interpersonal communication is a critical aspect that enables the exchange of information from one person to another. “The Blind Side” is a film based on a real-life story of Michael Oher, a traumatized Afro-American footballer, and the struggles he went through by being an abandoned kid growing up in a foster home to a National Football League player after his adoption by a white-skinned American family (Hancock, 2009). It is evident that Oher, and Ann Tuohy, the white woman were from different cultures and family setups, which would make it difficult for them to communicate effectively. It is also worth noting that Oher's interaction with his new family and school was not very friendly. The film depicts him being avoided by fellow students after joining the school for the first time (Hancock, 2009). It also shows Tuohy being criticized by her friends and peers for interacting with a poor black boy and calling him her son, a thing she responds by saying that Michael needs a foster family. Michael, who is from a poor ghetto family, with a mother who was addicted to drugs, was now introduced into a wealthy family with a mother who emphasizes fostering family ties. Despite Tuohy’s disbelief in Oher’s ability to make in life due to his low academic qualifications, she still gave him an opportunity, and he became successful (Hancock, 2009). We also see Tuohy understanding Michael when he complained of a place, and she gave him a bedroom.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

It is a film that depicts human family communication relationships. Tuohy responds to her critics, saying that Oher needed a family to protect her new son as a member of her family. Tuohy represents Michael as a family to outsiders (Hancock, 2009). Also, Collins, Tuohy’s son, refers to Michael as a brother to his friends' disbelief, which means that Michael was very much assimilated into the family, contrary to most people's expectations. Michael also agreed to join the college that Tuohy recommended for him only because he genuinely received them as a family and wanted to follow his new family's footsteps. At first, Oher’s interaction at his new home and school was not friendly as fellow students avoided him (Hancock, 2009). His teachers were also losing confidence in him at first, and he did not have friends. The situation changed when the family accepted him, he got some friends, and some teachers supported him.

Alignment/Misalignment of Behavior to Information on Textbook

The interpersonal communication aspect of role behavior and the family role is depicted in the act (Floyd, 2021, pg. 340). It is in alignment with the statement that ’Regardless of whether genetic or legal ties bound a relationship, many people believe that the most important characteristic that defines it is that individuals in it act like a family’ (Floyd, 2021, pg. 339). The fact that Michael finally got friends at school is in line with the information on a textbook that friendship is voluntary since they chose to become his friends. However, Tuohy became Michael's first friend by accepting him regardless of the community's feelings. Yet, she was not of the same age as Michael, misaligns with the textbook aspect that friends are usually peers (Floyd, 2021, pg. 320). We also see the absence of conflict when Tuohy chooses a college for Michael to join after selecting another one, and Michael willingly accepted her choice. It misaligns with the statement in the text that when a friend exercises power over you, it can cause conflict between the voluntary nature of your friendship and the involuntary nature of your parent-child relationship (Floyd, 2021, pg. 320).

Lesson Learnt from the Observation that can be Applied in Own Life and Relationships.

The kind of relationships and interpersonal communication depicted in the movie were not at first friendly. However, Michael's situation changed when everybody around him started to love him and appreciate his presence. Michael became successful academically, sports-wise, and his social life changed due to having the right determination and support behind him. I have learned that having good relationships in my life and offering the same to others can improve my experience and others around me. I also learned that it also takes courage and the volunteering spirit to accommodate different people in one's life. If I live to love, help, and appreciate less fortunate people, I attract others to do the same. I also learned to create long-lasting relationships with people around us, and we need to show love, affection, and protection by defending them when others arise against them. The family set up creates a foundation through which we can learn the value of true friendship and incorporate it to others around us. Tuohy loved Michael, who inspired her son Collins, who, in turn, came to love Michael as his brother, who helped a lot in making life easier for Michael both at home and in school (Hancock, 2009). Strong relationships help build one another in all aspects of life and can only be maintained through believing in one another.

References

Floyd, K. (2021). Interpersonal communication. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Hancock, J.L. (2009). The Blind Slide. Warner Bros https://www.imdb.com/video/vi2724005145?playlistId=tt0878804&ref_=tt_ov_vi