The below assignment has been written by another student. Please read it very carefully and reply to it by providing at least 150-200 meaningful words, APA format, at least one in-text cite and from at least one resource. Textbook Carbonell, M. (2008). How to solve the people puzzle: Understanding personality patterns – With online profile code. Blue Ridge, GA: Uniquely You Resources. ISBN: 9781888846447. Petersen, J. C. (2007). Why don’t we listen better? Communicating & connecting in relationships. Tigard, OR: Petersen Publications. ISBN: 9780979155901. Stewart, J. (2012). Bridges not walls: A book about interpersonal communication (11th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. ISBN: 9780073534312. Thanks (Bonnie)
The movie Fireproof (Kendrick, 2009) engages the audience in a marriage crisis in which the main characters are caught in a “degenerative communication spiral” that was a result of poor communication. Caleb Holt believed that his wife did not respect him (Stewart, 2012, p. 404). In turn, Catherine, his wife felt unappreciated and overwhelmed with her own problems. Neither Caleb nor Catherine was able to relinquish their own feelings for the sake of listening to their spouse. They both believed they were right and refused to budge. Interpersonal communication requires empathetic listening, which they did not display. Had they used this skill, this problem would have been prevented from escalating out of control, which it did. Madelyn Burley-Allen provides several accomplishments that can be gained through empathetic listening (Burley-Allen, 1995). One such accomplishment would allow frustration to be voiced, which reduces tension. Burley-Allen makes this statement, “we can create for ourselves a world that is either critical and hostile or one that is friendly and supportive” (Burley-Allen, 1995, p. 169). The environment they created for themselves was critical and hostile. The movie pulled in characters that were able to show the love of Christ to Caleb without being judgmental. One such character was his father. Through the love of Christ and a listening ear he gave Caleb a safe place to vent. Though he did not support Caleb’s ideas, he was non-judgmental, instead using self-disclosure to make valid points. Caleb’s co-worker did the same. He used self-disclosure to relate to Caleb’s situation. Because Caleb felt respect from him, it opened the door for his co-worker to witness to him. Between the two of these men, Caleb became a Christian and a changed man. As a result, Catherine saw a major change in Caleb experiencing his authenticity (actions that matched words) and his selflessness, which softened her heart and opened communication between them. The result was a restored marriage.
