Communication Theories- Must be familar with the movie You've Got Mail
Not what you're looking for?
I need help answering these qustions on Communication Theory, each theory must be related to the movie You've Got Mail. There are examples in the questions explaining what part of the movie needs to be identified in that theory. They are short essay/short answer questions.
1. AGENDA SETTING THEORY -Using premises associated with FRAMING, explain and give at least one example of how the media suggested that the Shop Around the Corner versus Fox Books was an important issue. (Think about selection, emphasis, exclusion & elaboration).
2. FACE NEGOTIATION THEORY - Ting-Toomey identifies three face concerns: self, other, and mutual. Identify the strategies Joe uses to save face when he first meets Kathleen at the bookstore and when he sees her at the party. Which of the face concerns does Joe demonstrate in each setting? Provide an explanation for your response.
3. SPEECH CODES THEORY - Philipsen's Theory of Speech Codes suggests that every culture has a unique speech code. What are the speech codes of the internet culture today? Using the speech codes you identified, create a sample email conversation that could have occurred in the film between Joe and Kathleen.
4. MUTED GROUP THEORY - Kramarae posits that women have been muted throughout history based on men's domination of language. Identify and apply one instance of Muted Group Theory evidenced in the film to one of the theory's premises. State and explain the premise, then provide an example from the film that illustrates that premise.
5. STANDPOINT THEORY - Wood argues that marginalized groups have more motivation to understand the perspective of those in power rather than the other way around. Provide an example from the film to illustrate this premise. Think about who is in power, who is marginalized and how.
6. GENDERLECT - Tannen identifies various differences in the way men and women communicate. Select two of the communication differences listed below. For each difference, provide a brief explanation of the difference and an example from the film to illustrate the difference. Be sure to explain how/why your example illustrates the difference: Connection vs. Status --- Rapport vs. Report --- Differences in Managing Conflict --- Understanding vs. Advice --- Intimacy vs. Independence --- Information vs. Feelings.
7. DIFFUSION OF INNOVATION -- Using the three factors that influence the adoption of innovations (technical compatibility, technical complexity, and perceived need), analyze Frank's attitude about using a typewriter instead of a computer. Based on adopter categories, how would you categorize Frank? Explain why.
8. USES AND GRATIFICATIONS THEORY - Uses and gratifications theory identifies two different types of media users: Ritualized users and instrumental users. Based on Kathleen's use of the computer, how would you characterize her as a user? Provide a rationale for your response.
9. SPIRAL OF SILENCE THEORY - Spiral of Silence Theory focuses on the growth and spread of public opinion, often maintaining that the views of the minority are silenced. Select any one of the premises associated with the theory. Provide a brief explanation of the premise, then provide an example from the film that illustrates the premise. Be sure you explain how/why the example supports or challenges the premise.
Purchase this Solution
Solution Preview
Agenda Setting Theory-Using premises associated with FRAMING, explain and give at least one example of how the media suggested that the Shop Around the Corner versus Fox Books was an important issue. (Think about selection, emphasis, exclusion & elaboration).
The media felt the content was newsworthy for the reason that the Shop Around the Corner was the underdog in book retail, somewhat of a "mom and pop" establishment that is up against a giant in book retail "Fox Books." The premise of Framing is presenting the same options in a different format. Both stores identified in the movie offered similar products and the same customized consumer treatments, however, one organization was a small community based property whereas the other establishment expands to reach the generation of that particular time (before the broadband, WiFi, and 4G generation). Fox Books equates to today's Barnes & Nobles establishment, and the Shop Around the Corner equates to the little bookstore that reside right in our own neighborhoods. They offer a limited supply of goods yet the atmosphere is cozy and close-knit. In my neighborhood we have a Christian bookstore that offers products from some of the most popular authors, televangelists, and musicians, that reminds me of the Shop Around the Corner. The media publicizing the conflict associated with the small bookstore's competition was an issue because peoples lives would be affected by the future closure of the property, in retrospect, there would be several advantages and disadvantages with Fox Books being integrated. As previously stated by one of the employees of the Shop Around the Corner is that they would not be able to find employment that would accommodate their current needs, such as hours, wages, etc. This closure would result in people losing their jobs, and to put an end to Kathleen's mom's legacy which is why this scenario made the news.
2. Face Negotiating Theory - Ting-Toomey identifies three face concerns: self, other, and mutual. Identify the strategies Joe uses to save face when he first meets Kathleen at the bookstore and when he sees her at the party. Which of the face concerns does Joe demonstrate in each setting? Provide an explanation for your response.
When Joe first meets Kathleen, he initially enters the bookstore to view and analyze the competition. However, when he makes eye contact with the competition he avoided transparency in conversations. For instance, he knew more about Kathleen than Kathleen new about him. He knew her whole name whereas Kathleen only knew him as Joe. When Joe acknowledges who she is, he wanted to refrain from making a spectacle of the situation which could have escalated if Kathleen knew who he was from the beginning. Instead Joe tried to avoid being found out in the little book store in an effort to prevent confusion, humiliation, etc. In both instances Joe tries to save face, in the bookstore he was more concerned with the "mutual" negotiation theory because he didn't want to embarrass Kathleen, and expose himself in the process. At the party, Joe's face negotiation theory was geared towards "self." The party was a highly publicized event and he tried to avoid running into Kathleen because she would find out that he is her competition.
3. Speech Codes Theory - Philipsen's Theory of Speech Codes suggests that every culture has a unique speech code. What are the speech codes of the internet culture today? Using the speech codes you identified, create a sample email conversation that could have occurred in the film between Joe and Kathleen.
Reverting back to the movie "You Got Mail" I noticed how Joe and Kathleen's email structure is set up. They are communicating as if they are writing a letter to each other. The sentences are long, and they are not abbreviating. In today's Internet culture we have condensed text to illustrate the same meaning without typing the whole word and the recipient of the message comprehends what we are talking about without spelling out the whole phrase. The internet culture has combined texting with email to make it more convenient to get ones point across. The most commonly used phrases that are often frequented by this generation are stated as abbreviations such as; SMH (Shaking my head), LOL (Laughing out Loud), ROFL (Rolling on the floor laughing), OMG (Oh My G**), and L8tr (Later). A ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
How to use Homonyms
Homonyms are words that sound the same, but have different meanings. See if you can tell which word goes with each sentence.
Grammar Check 1
Practice your understanding of the English language and how to properly apply it with this quiz. Quotations, contractions, subject/verb agreement, possession, and participles are among the skills tested.
The Basic Components of Writing
Knowledge of the basics of writing is necessary for student essays at all levels. This quiz will test your knowledge on the basic components.
MLA Quiz Part II
This quiz provides additional support for students in their second or third year of college who need to proficiency in MLA formatting for writing courses.
Grammar Quiz - English 102
This quiz addresses many of the grammar issues that English 102 students face at the college level.