In this episode Phil receives a call from his father in law, Jay about not being able to get his printer to work. Phil jumps at this opportunity to finally be able to give him help instead of receive it (as a way as asserting himself as capable of being man for his daughter) With the failure of Phil being able to successfully make the printer work while being so over confident in the situation, Jay loses interest and walks off. Now, what could have made this situation better? Problem Orientation. This concept is about using a supportive style of communication in which the two people communicating (in this case Phil and Jay) work in unison to solve the problem rather than pushing their own solutions on each other. This clip makes it evident to see that there was a lack of this, especially in light of Phil's cocky ways of presenting his solution. What was taking place in this situation could be described more as a "pillow method" of dealing with things. The pillow method is simple; it essentially states that one views an issue from an "I'm the right one, you're wrong" attitude. Phil and Jay both exhibit this. Can you see where? Phil's comes from his arrogance in the way he presents information, essentially communicating this air of superiority. Jay on the other hand exhibits this when he mocks Phil by repeating his song while changing the words.
Now, thinking about this.... Do you tend to solve things with a problem orientation? Or are you more prone to egocentric ways of asserting your "correct view"? These are things you are most likely completely unaware of in the ways that you communicate. It is amazing how your perceived self (the person we believe ourselves to be which may be identical or differed to our actual self) can often be something you portray with absolutely no conscious awareness of it.
Ironically, while in the midst of writing this blog my significant other offered me a way of solving a particular issue (in which he was correct) Shhh! He must NEVER know this. My response on the other hand went something like this... "Why would I do that? That would take more time than necessary and no I don't like taking that road. Too many lights". There might have been several other bantering points but regardless I was going to be right. Can you guess my communication style? Whoops.... :)
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