Conversation
Dominance in Conversation
In the episode 5G (F), Don's estranged younger brother, Adam, shows up at Sterling Cooper. Don does not know how to react, and at first pretends not to recognize Adam. Don maintains eye contact while he is speaking, but looks away when Adam speaks, showing that he does not have time for what Adam is saying. Adam comments, "you can't even look at me?" Caught off guard by his brother's appearance, Don tries to keep his composure and dominance by staying in control of the situation.
According to Guerrero (2011), "dominant behaviors include verbal communication such as commands and other 'one-up' messages (12)." Later on, Don goes to Adam's apartment with $5,000, attempting to bribe him. Don says, "take it, leave New York, and I don't want to see or hear from you again." Don shows his dominance by using these commands. He is assertive and aggressive, expecting to be obeyed. (Photo: see Notes, j) |
Expectancy Violations
Also in this episode, we see examples of unexpected events from the expectancy violations theory. Pete wrote a story and wants his wife, Trudy, to talk to one of her old boyfriends, who is in publishing, to get it published. Trudy is initially uncertain about this request, but goes through with it to make Pete happy. Trudy meets with Charlie, her old boyfriend, and at first engages in small talk with him. They discuss the book for a short time, until Charlie confesses that he still wants to be with her and would like to have an affair.
According to Guerrero (2011), uncharacteristic relational behavior includes "actions that are not consistent with the way the person defines the relationship (13)." This behavior was an unexpected event in their relationship, showing uncharacteristic relational behavior, as Trudy met with Charlie to discuss publishing Pete's story. Charlie's request was completely inappropriate as both parties were in relationships. Another unexpected event occurs when Trudy tells Pete that his story will be published in Boys' Life Magazine. When Pete is unhappy with this outcome, Trudy tells him that she could have gotten his work published in a more prestigious publication, but she would have had to sleep with Charlie. Pete asks why she did not do everything she could to get his work published, showing an example of a transgression in relationships. According to Guerrero (2011), transgressions are "actions that are violations of taken for granted rules in relationships (13)." Pete's transgression was putting his wife in the position of being unfaithful to him in order to get something for him. (Photo: see Notes, k) For more information on references; see Notes. |