The Game of Love

Christopher Galang

Communications 1

Section 08201

Jennifer Brundidge

Dating has always been man’s most primitive form of communication between the sexes. It is a moment in time that be characterized by uncertainty and stress when our inability to “read” another persons emotions becomes the personification of our personal failures. This phenomenon becomes magnified threefold when dating becomes a competitive game involving more than two people being played out for millions of home viewers. This is the situation of Bob and fifteen women on ABC’s, “The Bachelor”. In this aggressive arena and situation, communication becomes particularly difficult, as each of the women struggle to earn precious moments of time with Bob in an attempt to win this game of love. Much of the interaction among the players in my scene happens within a small group contextual level, but the dynamic within the game also lends itself to an organizational context. By analyzing the burlesque scene, I will demonstrate the various verbal and nonverbal issues that arise within this group such as the women’s use of powerful speech styles and speech accommodation to establish dominance within their group as well as, paralanguage and kinesics as means of controlling and retaining Bob’s attention.

        By definition the dates, which are separated into groups of five or six women and Bob, participate in small group communication. This type of communication is, “the process by which three or more members of a group exchange verbal and nonverbal messages in an attempt to influence one another” (Tubbs & Moss, 2003, p.18). While the women are not really concerned about teamwork, which is a key factor of this form of communication (Tubbs & Moss, 2003, p.19), they participate in an abridged form of it while actively sending messages to both their competitors and Bob in order to give themselves the advantage, thus attempting to influence the outcome of the game. This is clearly exemplified as the women are dancing on the stage. In one instance the women step in front of each other while they are dancing so as to place themselves at the center of Bob’s attention. This simple action also serves as a nonverbal warning to the other women demonstrating the power play inherent within this group. It also demonstrates both confidence and authority, which are both positive forms of expressiveness. Expressiveness, according to Tubbs and Moss (2003) convey higher levels of attractiveness, which in turn, attract more attention from a particular subject. The small group dynamic is also prevalent in the conversation that takes place when Lee-Ann takes Bob away from the group. The women, who place themselves in a quasi huddle while waiting for the two to emerge, begin to demonstrate a form of teamwork as they collectively speak about how to get Bob back to the group and away from Lee-Ann. While the reality is they only wish to bring him back so that they can steal him away themselves, for that particular instance they are collectively problem solving. The small group form of communication is expressed through the women’s attempt to influence the situation in their favor.

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        While it may not be instantly apparent, this group is also participating in organizational communication. This form of communication occurs within members of an organization, organized and influenced by rank and whose members follow a set of formal and informal networks, rules and norms (Mullin, 2003, September 25). And as Tubbs and Moss claim, it is also classified as a “…network of interdependent relationships” (p.19). As for rank, Bob is at the top of the ladder and the women, who can be viewed as the members of this organization all succumb to his “authority” in an attempt to gain favor ...

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