Communication

My analysis is on the film The Goonies. While I view the movie and determine the various norms, behaviors, roles and interaction between group members, as well as individuals the examination within the realm of film can present many of the same components. Thus, our group selected this movie to analyze based on its formation of a cohesive problem-solving group full of unforgettable characters. The Goonies portray many different theories and aspects of small group communication.

This analysis will examine the following elements. First we will establish the group background by describing the development of the characters and major plot lines in The Goonies. Second, we will describe the techniques/methods our group used to analyze the film to provide the reader with insight into the development of this analysis. The major focus of this analysis examines five major areas of small group communication. Specifically we will identify a) the various group roles that develop throughout the duration of the movie and the relevance they have to the development of the group, b) the gender differences that exist between the members of the Goonies and impact they have on member role and leadership emergence, c) the verbal and nonverbal interaction between members and the impact the various elements have on the development of first impressions of the group members, d) the development of the group as they progress through the primary and secondary tensions, and e) the problem solving techniques used by the group to accomplish their tasks. In addition, we will also compare the Goonies to our own small group. As we conclude our paper, we will provide recommendations for the Goonies group in order to hypothetically improve their communication. To enhance your understanding of the characters and task facing the Goonies, the following section will provide a short background on the group.

Group Background

The Goonies is film about a group of west coast kids from Astoria California whom are trying to save their homes from being destroyed. Rich people from the town are buying out their neighborhood in order to build a new development. The central characters are two brothers named Mikey and Brandon. Mikey's friends (Mouth, Chunk and Data) come over to hang out one last time before they all have to move. While at Mikey and Brandon's house, they venture into the attic and find a treasure map and articles about the legendary pirate "One-eyed" Willy. Soon they are convinced that they can save their neighborhood if they follow the map to find Willy's treasure.

By following the map's directions, they come upon a run-down restaurant owned by the treacherous Fratelli family. They make their way down to the basement after the Fratelli's leave, and discover a counterfeit machine, a murder victim, and a passageway to "One-eyed" Willy's underground tunnels. By this time, two of Brandon's friends (Stephanie and Andy) show up and join the group on their adventure. Chunk is somehow left behind in the restaurant and is sent to find help while the others travel through the tunnels searching for the treasure.

Chunk is soon captured by the Fratelli's and tells them all about the hidden treasure. The Fratelli's then lock Chunk in a room with their deformed brother Sloth, and go looking for the treasure. After a series of adventures and group problem solving task, the group finds the treasure ship of "one-eyed" Whily and are soon confronted by the Fratelli's over the rights to the treasure. While this is happening, Chunk and Sloth become friends and escape the locked room in order to stop the Fratelli's. In the end, Chunk and Sloth save the Goonies from the Fratelli's, and Mikey manages to stash away just enough treasure to save their neighborhood. Before we examine the various small group principles and concepts it is important to describe the methods used while developing this analysis. The following section will highlight the process our group went through to complete this analysis.

Techniques/Methods

Someone suggested the film The Goonies, and everyone immediately agreed because it is a classic movie about a group coming together to solve a problem.

We decided that the most important sections that applied to the film were roles, gender, verbal/nonverbal, development, and problem solving. Everyone chose an individual area to focus on during the film. After we watched the movie, we shared with one another our thoughts and suggestions for each section. Then we decided to write about our individually assigned sections for our paper. After a few days, we each gave our written sections to one person in our group to cut and paste it all together.

Roles

Group roles are a set of expectations and perceptions of what an individual contributes to a group (Turman 2000b). A role is established when the group members expect a certain behavior from an individual in the group. In the movie, The Goonies, there are various roles that the characters assume to achieve a common goal. The main group in the movie is a team of boys who call themselves, the Goonies. The movie concentrates on the Goonies and the many roles that emerge in their group. The roles for the most part are informal, meaning the roles reflect the boys' personalities. The roles of the group are both social and task oriented (Bormann & Bormann, 1996). In some parts of the movie role ambiguities are evident between the two brothers, Mikey and Brandon. The specific roles that the group members fulfill affect the entire group's ability to achieve their goal.

The main character in the movie is Mikey. He assumes the role of leader/task master. Turman (2000b) defines the role of taskmaster as someone who "ensures that the group remains focused on the task at hand." When the Goonies became preoccupied with other things rather than achieving the goal, Mikey got the group back on track. One example is when the Goonies wanted to give up at the wishing well. Midway through the film the group happens upon a local wishing well and are forced to make a decision about continuing on with the adventure or climbing their way out of danger. Mikey reminded the group why they needed to find the treasure in order to save their neighborhood. After reassuring the group why they needed the treasure, the rest of the group went along with him, and Mikey emerged as the leader/taskmaster.

The character, Brandon is the older brother to Mikey. Brandon's main role is the spokesperson. Brandon speaks on behalf of the group because he is the oldest and therefore most trustworthy. A good example of his role is at the end of the movie when the Goonies meet their parents after they found