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Interpersonal Conflicts

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Interpersonal Conflict in Film
January 23, 2010
COM 200
Beverlee Matts

Interpersonal conflicts can occur at all levels of interactions amongst people, which is the case in the movie crash. In the movie crash there are a number of unhealthy conflicts taking place between the participants that never get resolved; issues of race and gender that causes a group of strangers in Los Angeles to physically and emotionally collide. One case in particular between Graham and Ria who are both cops as well as partners and in a personal relationship with each other. Ria is annoyed with Graham emotional distance and his insensitivity over the fact he is African-American and she is Hispanic. When Graham talks to Ria he displays a combative mode towards her, without any regard for the severity of the conflict and Ria responds with difficulty facing the conflict; it appears that both of them feel inadequate relationship. There is non-verbal communication taking place between the two of them and it can be seen in their body language style of communication, there is an lack of eye contact, confrontational and aggressiveness in the body language with one another. There is the presence of symbol and cultural perceptions that are distinct and it alter their communication. The objective and subjective elements that in the past gave them satisfaction along with whatever common language they shared is no longer present. The breakdown between them leaves their communication to go unfulfilled, According to Making the Connection “When you first form any kind of relationship with another person, the relationship tends to be harmonious. Both people are usually cautious about what they tell each other and how they say it, and they make a conscious effort to present positive information about themselves and to avoid conflict. Researchers have found that one of the reasons a new relationship is

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