Communication and Television

I recently watched a show called Joey & Melissa on Netflix. This was my first time ever watching the show although I have heard about it via the media. The first time I watched the episode was with the volume muted. The show started with a couple in the kitchen talking to a teenage boy.  I automatically assumed they were a family; mother, father and son. Through nonverbal behaviors such as body language, hand movements, placing hands on hips, pointing at each other and pointing at objects, and serious facial expressions I assumed the teenager was trying to persuade his parents but they did not agree. I observed the teenage boy throwing up his hands in frustration and the mother putting her hand up suggesting he stop. It was obvious the family was conflicting throughout the show. In other scenes, a new character entered and I assumed she was the sister or neighbor. As the show continued on, I learned she lived in the house and was siblings with the teenage boy.  There interactions with each other led me to these beliefs, making faces at each other and playfully throwing paper at each other.

The second time I watched the show was with the volume on. I learned that my assumption was correct that the people in the kitchen were family. However, the woman was the aunt, the man the nanny, the teenage boy was the nephew and the girl was the niece. I was also correct in assuming the boy was attempting to persuade his family, to invest in a risky stock with his inheritance. The aunt and nanny did not support his decision but eventually agreed.

Initially, watching the show with no sound was difficult because I was attempting to read their lips to understand what was happening. I had to rewind to make sure I was observing the nonverbal cues. I also notice how much people use their hands when they talk. In the show, it seemed excessive but I understand because there was no sound their nonverbal cues were magnified. I also realized that our nonverbal behavior is as equally important as verbal communication.