Using the Gibb categories give three examples of defensive and or supportive behaviors that Ben and Katie used in the film.
“The story of us” is an excellent movie that portrays the roller-coaster of marriage in a humorous and cleaver way. The film reiterates the key concepts we have learned in our interpersonal communication class, in particular chapters ten and eleven on conflict management and improving communication climates. According to Gibb people feel defensive when they perceive that they are under attack. When defensive responses arise in interpersonal communications, it is the relationship itself that becomes defensive. This is evident in the Jordan’s communication patterns, the majority of exchanges between Ben and Katie …show more content…

This makes Katie defensive which causes her to attack ben in order to defend herself.
Through out the film, the Jordan’s successfully demonstrate defensive patterns of communication. However there is a tuning point when Ben, at the restaurant with his friends "gets it". He finally "sees the relationship through Katie's eyes". As he becomes aware of the self-centeredness of his own behavior, he begins to change up in small, but significant ways. This demonstrates a supportive behavior of Strategic Communication where Ben realizes his role in the conflict spirals in his marriage. He shares his thoughts and feelings openly with his friends and finally begins to see things from katie’s point of view.
A good marriage has lows as well as highs, and these are all necessary to write the lifelong
"story of us". Katie at the end begins a mental review of their highs and lows, and gets the lesson she needs: that she and Ben are an us, with a history. No infatuation can being to match the strength of their connection. Their differences, or "annoying traits", are simply part of their attraction, “…You always know that I’m a little quiet in the morning and compensate accordingly,” she says to him. “That’s a dance you perfect over time. And it’s hard, it’s much harder than I thought it would be, but there’s more good than bad. And you don’t just give up.... ” (Reiner Rob, 2001)" Katie demonstrates Gibb’s supportive behavior pattern of