In-Laws vs. Out-Laws An Analysis of In-Law Communication Holly Keener

1. In-Laws vs. Out-Laws An Analysis of In-Law Communication Holly Keener School of Communication, Radford University, Virginia, 24142 Discussion The Movies Abstract While much research has been conducted on interpersonal relationships that focuses on such areas as friendship, romantic, and family, there is one area that is noticeable missing in the academic literature. In-law relationships are something almost every individual will experiences at least once, however few scholarly endeavors have been published on this topic. This project seeks to discover more information regarding in-law relationships through a communication perspective by examining popular media culture through a critical analysis of films that highlight in-law relationships. This project touches on various communication phenomena related to the topic such as communication theory, gender & diversity issues as well as the role of humor and power in this often complicated interpersonal relationship. Research Method: Content Analysis -In-law relationships are triadic and non-voluntary in nature Little Research Available Because…. -Focus on other familial relationships -Sensitive Issue -Reluctance to communicate because issue may cause more conflict in the family Parents/ Parents-in-law In-Law Relationships as Triadic Son/Son-in-law Daughter/ Daughter-in-law -Uncertainty, Power, Gender &Intercultural Communication are connected *Gender issues and intercultural differences create uncertainty which causes one to feel the need to exert power over those who are different in hopes of achieving a goal. Communication Theories Communication Principles Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT) By: Charles Berger & Richard Calabrese Basic Premise: Uncertainty arises when people lack information therefore individuals seek information in order to predict and explain their surroundings thus reducing their overall uncertainty of the situation. Three Reasons to Seek Information: Deviation, Anticipation of Future Interaction & Incentive Three Ways to Seek Information: Passive Strategy, Active Strategy & Interactive Strategy Axioms of Uncertainty Reduction Theory Uncertainty is negatively associated with verbal communication; nonverbal affiliative expressiveness; the intimacy of communication content; the degree of similarity between partners; liking; and shared communication networks between partners. Uncertainty is positively associated with information-seeking behavior and reciprocity rate. Examples: URT is present in all four films Power French & Raven’s Power Bases Coercive- the ability to punish Reward- the ability to reward Legitimate- depends on one persons acceptance of role obligations to follow instructions or advice, positional power Referent- the desire to identify with, emulate or respect another Expert- relies on ones superior knowledge and ability Power can be…Destructive, Productive & Integrative Two Issues Present… -Role of competition -In-Group vs. Out-Group Ex. Meet the Parents, Circle of Trust The Out-Law a.k.a. The Spouse Examples: You, Me & Dupree Meet the Parents Guess Who The In-Law’s Circle of Trust Further Research… Further research needs to be conducted on this topic, specifically father-in-law relationships, the effect of in-law relationships on other familial relationships, and the role of competition that exists in in-laws relationships. References Gender Issues Gender Role- the behaviors and attitudes considered appropriate for males or females in a particular culture Gender Stereotype- a set of beliefs about what it means to be female or male, including information about appearance, attitudes, interests, social relations and occupations. Social-Role Theory- maintains that the stereotypes arise from the different social roles typically held by women and men Basow, S.A. (1992). Gender: Stereotypes and Roles (3rd ed). Pacific Grove, California: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. Baxter, L.A., & Braithwaite, D.O. (Eds.). (2008). Engaging Theories in Interpersonal Communication: Multiple Perspectives. (37-49; 133-144). Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc. Brooks, P., Shareshian, S., & Waitt, N. (Executive Producers), & Zwick, J. (Director). (2002). My Big Fat Greek Wedding [Motion Picture]. USA: Gold Circle Films. Bryant, C.M., Conger, R.D. & Meehan, J.M. (2001). The Influence of In-Laws on Change in Marital Success. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63, 614-626. De Niro, R., Roach, J., Rosenthal, J., & Tenenbaum, N. (Producers), & Roach, J. (Director). (2000). Meet the Parents [Motion Picture]. USA: Universal Pictures. Dunbar, N.E. & Burgoon, J.K. (2004). Perceptions of power and interactional dominance in interpersonal relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22 (2), 207-233. Fottrell, M., Perrone, S., & Kaplan, A. (Executive Producers), & Russo, A. & Russo, J. (Directors). (2006). You, Me & Dupree [Motion Picture]. USA: Universal Pictures. Golombok, S. & Fivush, R. (1994). Gender Development. New York: Cambridge University Press. Hocker, J.L. & Wilmot, W.W. (1995). Power. Interpersonal Conflict (4th ed). (p. 69-93). Dubuque: Brown & Benchmark Publishers. Infante, D.A., Rancer, A.S. & Womack, D.F. (2003). Uncertainty Reduction Theory. In Building Communication Theory (4th ed) (p. 192-196). Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc. Klyukanov, I.E. (2005). Principles of Intercultural Communication. (K. Bowers, Ed.) Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. Morr Serewicz, M.C. (2006). Getting Along With the In-Laws. In K. Floyd & M.T. Morman (Eds.), Widening the Family Circle: New Research on Family Communication (p. 101-116). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc. Podsakoff, P.M. & Schriesheim, C.A. (1985). Field Studies of French and Raven’s Bases of Power: Critique, Reanalysis, and Suggestions for Future Research. Psychology Bulletin, 97(3), 387-411. Silverstein, J.L. (1990). The problem with in-laws. Journal of Family Therapy, 14, 399-412. Thomas, B., Greener, S. & Caracciolo, J.M. (Executive Producers), & Sullivan, K.R. (Director). (2005). Guess Who [Motion Picture]. USA: Columbia Pictures & Regency Enterprises. Men Women The “opposite” sex Examples: You, Me & Dupree Meet the Parents Attribution Theory By: Fritz Heider Basic Premise: Any communication event can be viewed as an effect that has some cause, and the cause we attribute is likely to influence the meaning of the action and how we might respond to it What are Attributions? The internal (thinking) and external (talking) process of interpreting and understanding what is behind our own and other’s behaviors. Behavior is seen as deliberate Intercultural Communication Uncertainty Principle- intercultural communication is a process whereby people from different cultures constantly search for knowledge of how to interact with one another against a background of uncertainty In-Group- the group members who identify and associate with each other Out-Group- people who are kept at a physical and emotional distance by the in-group Behavior is observed Conflict Resolution Polarization Integration Behavior is attributed to internal or external factors Opinion/Judgment formed based on behavior Compromise Self Polarization Other Avoidance Examples: Meet the Parents and Guess Who Examples: My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Guess Who *Printing Supported by the RU Honors Academy