I chose to watch a sit com on a network we don’t normally watch.
Without sound, I noticed a lot of body language and facial expressions. There
seemed to be some tension within a group of assumed friends, with eye rolling,
arm crossing and one friend stomping away at one point. As the show proceeded, the
characters came to a moment where they slowly warmed up, going from arms
crossed to a smirk then a smile and finally a hug.
In watching this program again with sound, I had assumed correctly
that these were friends having a conflict. Both girls liked the same boy and
were jealous of one another. They came to realize that he wasn’t as important
as maintaining their friendship.
I found that I felt familiar with this schema as my daughter
is a Disney Channel watcher and although this isn’t a network we typically
watch, the layout of the sitcom was much the same as other shows we regularly
see. Actors on a sit com are typically quite animated making it easier to “read”
their non-verbal body language. The progression of conflict to resolution is
common and thus easily recognizable.
My A-ha moment came when I realized I was depending on a
pre-conceived schema of pre-teen sit com content. I hope to be much more aware
of my dependence on assumptions; based on previous experiences. My assumptions
may be confirmed like in this sit com or I may find myself off-base, making it
difficult to be objective. Dependence on schemas can affect my ability to authentically
interact with others, which is essential for both personal and professional
relationships.
Hi Tammra, I feel the same that sometimes we will be in our own schemas that mislead our impression or communication with others. Those schemas are from the non-verbal expressions. Sometimes we will have the prejudgement of someone only because how he/she dresses or walks. It is unfair for others. We should give others the opportunity to prove who they are by talking and listening to them, rather than judge them from the firs impression. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDear Tammra,
ReplyDeleteGreat insight! I would think that our schemas does provide a basic understanding of what we perceive. I wonder if the show had been about girls from another culture if you would have had a different interpretation of their body language. Thanks for sharing!
Great post!
ReplyDeleteIts so interesting how powerful body language and facial expression can be, I never think about how important it is in communicating.
Hello Tammra,
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting watching the show with no sound. I realized that if you only watch the body language of someone that you can misinterpret what they are saying and feeling. Even though I could figure out through body language that someone was mad, my thought was confirmed when I was able to watch the show with the sound. I learned a lot about communication and not to assume I understand what a person means when they say something I may not completely understand. Thank you for sharing.