RQ 1: Do fights between Nick and Jessica involve elements of destructive
conflicts ... Stonewalling: Nick tries to speak with Jessica about going to the
playboy ...
Amanda Romano
Findings Summary RQ 1: Do fights between Nick and Jessica involve elements of destructive conflicts (i.e. criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, and contempt)? If so, which destructive conflict elements are used most frequently?
Contempt Season 4
Stonewalling
Season 3
Defensiveness
Season 2
Criticsm
Season 1 0
5
10
15
20
Our findings show that two destructive conflict elements, defensiveness and criticism are prevalent throughout the four seasons of the reality television show, The Newlyweds. Examples: Contempt: Nick yells at Jessica multiple times and says “you’re such a spoiled brat!” Stonewalling: Nick tries to speak with Jessica about going to the playboy mansion, who does not respond and expresses frozen facial features. Defensiveness: While visiting a vineyard Jessica is defensive about her level of intoxication. Nick says, “You can’t walk in a straight line.” Jessica responds, “Yes I can!” Criticism: Nick yells at Jessica and says, “You always act so bitchy.” RQ 2: What conflict styles (i.e. competition, compromise, accommodation, collaboration, and avoidance) are represented in each conflict between Nick and Jessica? Competition Compromise
Season 4
Collaboration
Season 3
Accommodation
Season 2
Avoidance
Season 1 0
5
10
15
Our findings show that two conflict styles, avoidance and compromise are prevalent throughout the four seasons of the reality television show, The Newlyweds. Examples: Avoidance: Jessica becomes passive aggressive and shows signs of jealously when Nick shoots a music video with other famous women. Accommodation: Jessica purchases $1,400 bed sheets and although Nick is upset with her extreme spending habits he gives up on the conflict by walking away. Compromise: Nick and Jessica disagree on what size dog to buy; they decide to get one big dog and one small dog Competition: Jessica is offered buffalo wings by a friend and says she doesn’t eat buffalo. Nick rejects her statement by saying, “It’s not buffalo, its chicken.” Collaboration: Nick does not answer Jessica’s phone calls and she becomes very upset. Jessica reveals her thoughts and feelings by saying, “I would have understood if you were working but you weren’t you were playing.”
