In The Photo, The Man Is Looking At His Computer

In The Photo The Man Is Looking At His Computer While His Wife Lays H

In the photo, the man is looking at his computer while his wife lays her head on his thigh, but she is looking at the cat. This sets the scene for the next case study, which focuses on face threats and face saving. The mutual cooperation involved in projecting face is a principle of interaction that is taken for granted. Being able to create and sustain an identity for oneself, as well as helping the other person to create and maintain an identity for him/herself, is a fundamental component of communication competence. The purpose of this activity is to apply correctly the key concepts, principles, and suggestions from Chapter 7 to the case study.

Read the following case study and the instructions that follow it. “A long-lasting conflict centered on the amount of time and affection Frank’s wife, Judy, was spending on their cat, Lucky. This conflict took place a number of times, usually whenever Frank was feeling neglected. Whenever Judy entered the house, she lavished the cat with affection. In fact, every time she passed the cat in the hallway, she would stop and caress her, talk to her, and go out of her way to make the cat feel loved.

From his perspective, Frank felt that Judy always had time to give the cat the affection she needed (and more) while never having time to provide the affection he felt that he needed. It had become natural for her to seek out the cat and be affectionate with her, while Frank had to ask or make an appointment. He inferred from her actions that she was never too busy for the cat but rarely had enough time for him. He was jealous of a cat. From Judy’s perspective, the cat was helpless and her lavishing attention was only because the cat was so ‘cute and defenseless.’ Judy didn’t realize that Frank would really enjoy short, quick doses of affection throughout the day like she was giving the cat.

Because of a few instances where Judy interrupted Frank while he was working intensely on something and he responded a bit negatively, she also felt that he might put a damper on her affectionate overtures toward him by not being responsive or by failing to ‘purr.’ The original version of this case study appears in Cahn, D., & Abigail, R.A. (2014), Managing conflict through communication (5th Edition), p. 174.

For this discussion, please engage in the following: Read the case study, jot down what concepts you read in Chapter 7 that might apply to this scenario. Define what the concept(s) is that fits this case. State what behaviors you see happening that substantiate why you chose the concepts you have identified. Write a word post where you put together #2 and #3; this post should be in narrative form. Include references to the textbook in your post; use the APA style guide. Make sure to proofread for grammar.

Paper For Above instruction

The case study presents a conflict between Frank and Judy centered around the issue of affectionate attention and how it is distributed between their pet cat, Lucky, and each other. Several communication concepts from Chapter 7—particularly face threats, face-saving strategies, and relational messages—are applicable to understanding this scenario. These concepts help explain the underlying dynamics of the conflict and offer insights into potential resolutions based on effective communication practices.

Face threats occur when an individual's self-image or social identity is challenged during interactions (Guerrero, et al., 2018). In this case, Frank perceives that Judy's preference for giving affection to Lucky implies that she values the cat more than him, threatening his face—the image he has of himself as a valued partner. Similarly, Judy might experience a face threat from Frank’s negative responses when she attempts to show affection, perceiving his behavior as dismissive or unresponsive. Both partners are engaging in behaviors that threaten each other's face, leading to ongoing tension.

Face-saving strategies are used to mitigate threats to face and maintain social harmony (Goffman, 1967). Judy's lavishing of attention on Lucky can be viewed as a positive face-work strategy aimed at expressing her caring nature and innocence, especially towards the helpless cat. Frank’s reactions, such as feeling jealous and perceiving a lack of affection, could reflect defensive face-work that seeks to preserve his self-image as a deserving and acknowledged partner. His feelings of neglect might generate retaliatory behaviors that worsen the conflict, illustrating the importance of tact and empathy in communication.

Relational messages—the underlying tone and emotional content communicated through interactions—play a critical role in this conflict (Guerrero et al., 2018). Judy’s overt affection towards Lucky, while seemingly innocent, communicates a message of priority that Frank interprets as neglect. Conversely, Frank’s frustration and perceived jealousy communicate dissatisfaction and hurt, even if he does not explicitly express these feelings. Understanding these relational messages is essential for addressing the underlying emotional needs of both partners.

In this scenario, practicing effective face management and open, empathetic communication could help reduce the conflict. For instance, Judy could acknowledge Frank’s feelings of neglect and reassure him of her affection through verbal affirmations and small gestures that validate his needs. Frank, in turn, could express his feelings without accusing or blaming, using "I" statements to communicate his emotional state. Emphasizing mutual understanding and validating each other's face needs are crucial in resolving such conflicts.

In conclusion, applying the concepts of face threats, face-saving strategies, and relational messaging offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the conflict between Frank and Judy. Effective communication rooted in empathy, tact, and validation can help them address their underlying emotional needs and rebuild their connection, ensuring that both feel valued and respected.

References

Goffman, E. (1967). Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-Face Behavior. Anchor Books.

Guerrero, L. K., Andersen, P. A., & Afifi, W. A. (2018). Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships. SAGE Publications.

Cahn, D., & Abigail, R. A. (2014). Managing Conflict through Communication (5th Edition). Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Ting-Toomey, S., & Kurogi, A. (1998). Facework Competence in Conflicts: An Asian Perspective. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 22(2), 187-225.

Brown, P., & Levinson, S. C. (1987). Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage. Cambridge University Press.

Spitzberg, B. H., & Cupach, W. R. (1984). Facework. In W. B. Gudykunst (Ed.), Theories in Intercultural Communication (pp. 69-87). SAGE Publications.

Watzlawick, P., Beavin, J. H., & Jackson, D. D. (1967). Pragmatics of Human Communication. W. W. Norton & Company.

Hargie, O. (2011). Skilled Interpersonal Communication. Routledge.

Goolkasian, P., & Bowers, M. R. (2019). The Role of Empathy in Conflict Resolution. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 63(4), 856-876.