In the movie Erin Brockovich, the main character Erin struggles from financial instability as she is unemployed leaving her with no money to take care of her children. However, gaining back her financial stability turns out to be more involved than just getting a job as her personality forces her to make commitments beyond her clerical position. Erin sees herself as “smart and hardworking” person to whom life has not been particularly kind. Although she is willing to blame others for some of her setbacks, she doesn’t victimize herself and her high self-esteem turns her condemnation into domination. Erin, despite her high self-esteem, continuously compares herself with others to refine her self-concept; her reference groups usually being those
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A strong deontological ethics seems to underlie her perspective, yet she often applies consequentialist ethics ideals. For example, she is incredibly surprised when Ed explains that lacking the proper documents can nullify the case although the facts are obvious. This hints at her deontological ethics influencing her view with a voice of “this is just wrong” and the legal protocol is getting in the way of righteousness. On the other hand, her willingness to break the law to collect evidence for the case she is working on indicates consequentialist views. Her language similarly reflects this world view. She uses irresponsible language to cut through extended protocols of communication which she consider to be unpragmatic. However, Erin repeatedly avoids use of such language when she is in emotional situations where desires to present herself as a caring and kind person as opposed to dominant and aggressive. This impression management mechanism she uses is supported by a study conducted at the University of Bristol which showed that swear words evoke strong neurological responses. Erin’s nonverbal communication ties together all her ideals, verbal communication, and self-concept. Her eye contact communicates her determination and aggressiveness at her work, and that of a loving mother role when she is with her family. She usually stays in the personal distance and
A strong deontological ethics seems to underlie her perspective, yet she often applies consequentialist ethics ideals. For example, she is incredibly surprised when Ed explains that lacking the proper documents can nullify the case although the facts are obvious. This hints at her deontological ethics influencing her view with a voice of “this is just wrong” and the legal protocol is getting in the way of righteousness. On the other hand, her willingness to break the law to collect evidence for the case she is working on indicates consequentialist views. Her language similarly reflects this world view. She uses irresponsible language to cut through extended protocols of communication which she consider to be unpragmatic. However, Erin repeatedly avoids use of such language when she is in emotional situations where desires to present herself as a caring and kind person as opposed to dominant and aggressive. This impression management mechanism she uses is supported by a study conducted at the University of Bristol which showed that swear words evoke strong neurological responses. Erin’s nonverbal communication ties together all her ideals, verbal communication, and self-concept. Her eye contact communicates her determination and aggressiveness at her work, and that of a loving mother role when she is with her family. She usually stays in the personal distance and