Conflict Management In Ordinary People

627 Words2 Pages

After the loss of their beloved son, the Jarrett family experiences the struggles poor communication causes, in the award winning movie Ordinary People. The Jarretts begin to break apart as they develop dysfunctional relationships, conflict management acts as a facilitator of expression, and would have helped the family to resolve their problems. Conrad, Beth and Calvin Jarrett display silence or violence actions, which results from the lack of use of management strategies to create safety and the free flow of emotions. Subsequent to the death of his brother and suicide attempt, Conrad reveals his struggles in unhealthy ways. Conrad expresses withdrawal when he gives quick, brief answers to his parents, choosing to keep his feelings locked inwards. He also indicates avoiding, when he averts from the topics of Buck’s passing and how he copes with his grief. When confronting Conrad, people must use AMPP (Ask, Mirror, Paraphrase, Prime) in order to evoke his true pain, in a safe environment. Conrad needs sincerity from his parents as he feels his mother neglects him, causing him to lose the importance of the relationship. Beth must …show more content…

Beth exhibits silence when on the plane returning home she withdrawals and avoids her husband's company. When one confronts her they must use S.T.A.T.E in order to keep Beth from feeling she must defend herself. The same can be used when she acts violent, Beth often times tries to control the situations or mask her feelings because she wants her family to appear “perfect”. She exemplifies these violent actions when she criticizes Calvin for telling a friend Conrad sees a counselor and becomes defensive when others try to talk about their or her emotions. Beth needs the family to create safety by stating their intentions and also relay the idea that they share the same pain and want to aid each other in such a difficult

Open Document