The Goonies

4567 Words10 Pages

The Goonies My analysis is on the film The Goonies. While I view the movie and determine the various norms, behaviors, roles and interaction between group members, as well as individuals the examination within the realm of film can present many of the same components. Thus, our group selected this movie to analyze based on its formation of a cohesive problem-solving group full of unforgettable characters. The Goonies portray many different theories and aspects of small group communication. This analysis will examine the following elements. First we will establish the group background by describing the development of the characters and major plot lines in The Goonies. Second, we will describe the techniques/methods our group used to analyze the film to provide the reader with insight into the development of this analysis. The major focus of this analysis examines five major areas of small group communication. Specifically we will identify a) the various group roles that develop throughout the duration of the movie and the relevance they have to the development of the group, b) the gender differences that exist between the members of the Goonies and impact they have on member role and leadership emergence, c) the verbal and nonverbal interaction between members and the impact the various elements have on the development of first impressions of the group members, d) the development of the group as they progress through the primary and secondary tensions, and e) the problem solving techniques used by the group to accomplish their tasks. In addition, we will also compare the Goonies to our own small group. As we conclude our paper, we will provide recommendations for the Goonies group in order to hypothetically improve their communication. To enhance your understanding of the characters and task facing the Goonies, the following section will provide a short background on the group. Group Background The Goonies is film about a group of west coast kids from Astoria California whom are trying to save their homes from being destroyed. Rich people from the town are buying out their neighborhood in order to build a new development. The central characters are two brothers named Mikey and Brandon. Mikey’s friends (Mouth, Chunk and Data) come over to hang out one last time before they all have to move. While at Mikey and Brandon’s house, they venture int... ... middle of paper ... ...group as they face more and more trials. Their small group triumphantly solved an important problem that affected each individual. As a group, they were much more suited to outwit "One-eyed" Willy’s booby traps, to outrun the underhanded Fratelli family, and to out do the rich people of the town by saving their neighborhood. Works Cited Bormann E. G. & Bormann & N. C. (1996). Effective Small Group Communication (6th Edition). Edina, MN: Burgess Publishing. Gamble T. K., & Gamble, M. W. (1998). Contacts: Communicating Interpersonally. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Turman, P. (October 9-10, 2000a). Group Roles: Group Communication [Lecture] Cedar Falls, IA. University of Northern Iowa, Communication Studies Department. Turman, P. (October 13, 2000b). Group Decision Making & Problem Solving: Group Communication [Lecture] Cedar Falls, IA. University of Northern Iowa, Communication Studies Department. Turman, P. (October 25, 2000f). Group Cohesiveness and Conflict: Group Communication [Lecture] Cedar Falls, IA. University of Northern Iowa, Communication Studies Department. Zeuschner, R. (1997). Communicating today (2nd Edition). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

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