Interpersonal Communication In Mean Girls

1205 Words3 Pages

Abigail Greenberg Greenberg 1
Martha Schwer
Oral and Interpersonal Communication
May 11, 2015 I chose Mean Girls to analyze because this film is relatable and I have been quoting it since 2004. Mean Girls is set at North Shore High School in Evanston, Illinois. The high school in the film does not actually exist but is based off of New Trier High School located in Winnetka, Illinois. I am originally from Northbrook, Illinois and attended a high school only ten minutes away from New Trier High School. Therefore, I find this film to showcase what I went through in high school in the north shore suburbs of Chicago. The culture depicted in this film accurately shows cliques, stereotypical mean girls, and gender relationships. I knew what it was like to see mean girls yet didn’t truly understand how it affected others. I was intrigued to analyze the communication and culture throughout this film. After watching Mean Girls, I chose to …show more content…

According to the textbook, “Choosing the best way to send a message is rather like choosing a gift: What is appropriate for one person won’t be appropriate for another one at all”(Adler, 29). Regina George does not have the ability to choose the most appropriate behavior in a situation. Regina's sense of control, manipulation and superiority grew as a result of her mother. Mrs. George tried to be a "cool mom" by letting her daughter loose. The special ingredient behind Regina's communication was her sex appeal, and the insecurity of others. Regina George’s behavior is only supportive of her own actions and if the actions of others benefit her. Regina George has coercive power, which the textbook defines as, “the power to influence others by the threat or imposition of unpleasant consequences”(Adler, 290). Regina has coercive power among her peers at school because they fear that crossing her will cause her to retaliate and harm

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