Mean Girls is a pop culture classic of the current generation. It's easily one of the most quotable movies of all time. However, the movies basis is off of interpersonal conflict between the characters at hand. Regina George, the main 'plastic' and possibly the most hated girl at North Shore High, has issues expressing her conflict. When faced with conflict, she mostly uses an Aggressive system to express her conflict. She seeks revenge when she finds out Cady has been lying to her about the 'nutrition bars', therefore fighting back when being attacked. Even though Regina has an aggressive style, she does show weakness in some areas. She is not usually honest to whoever she has conflict with. For example, when she feels that a peer's skirt is ugly, she tells that peer that the skirt is 'super cute' and then proceeds to tell Cady that she really feels like its the ugliest skirt she has ever seen. Much of Regina's conflict with others stems from the fact that she is not open and honest, and tends to be very passive aggressive.
If Regina George were to take HCOM 214, I feel as though she would learn a lot. First off, I would teach her how to better express her feelings and anger towards people. She tends to insult and victimize people when she is angry, even if it is not that persons fault. I feel as though her Aggressive style of interpersonal conflict is okay, but if she is going to be aggressive, she needs to follow all the attributes, such as being completely honest and expressing your emotions. If Regina took the course and changed her behaviors, I feel as though she would be a much better person, and her feelings wouldn't be expressed in such a hurtful manner towards others. However, this would affect the plot of the movie greatly because the movie itself is based solely off of the fact that Regina resolves conflict in the way that she does. Short term outcomes may be that she will keep the friends that she has, and will have stayed with Aaron Samuels. Long term outcomes may be a happier life, more friends, and being a nicer person all around.
Another character who might benefit greatly from taking HCOM 214 is Gretchen Wieners. Gretchen uses an avoidant system to deal with her interpersonal conflict. Gretchen is often the main victim of Regina's angry outbursts, and she never says anything. Gretchen is treated like she isn't smart, however she doesn't get angry or express her angry feelings towards Regina or anyone else. Gretchen is constantly telling Cady how she feels instead of telling Regina outright. If Gretchen took HCOM 214, she would learn how to express her feelings to the people she is actually angry with and she would also learn not to bottle up her feelings and then let them explode. She would really benefit from these skills, her short term goals would be having better relationships, and making long lasting friendships. Long term goals would be for her to be happier all around, and expressing her emotions better. However, if Gretchen did act this way, it would affect the plot of the movie because the main conflict of the movie is between Gretchen and Regina.
Could you however argue that even through aggressive styles of confrontation it ultimately led to the ideal resolution? I say this because Cady responded to Regina's aggression with aggression ultimately fulfilling the ideas that, "two wrongs make a right." Consider that if Regina had expressed herself in other ways Cady may have still responded aggressively creating a completely different conflict dynamic. This possibly affected the future resolutions because when to aggressive conflict strategists collide it seems they push resolution to a boiling point much faster, possibly being the best strategy for conflict with the group of girls.
ReplyDeleteSeems Regina likes to manufacture impossible rules and engage in passive aggressive bullying as a way of retaining power dominance, a state she relishes. Cady responds with passive aggressive, manipulative tactics to undermine Regina's power (her boyfriend, her looks, her friends) -- but in the process, she becomes a Regina clone and almost loses all her friends and almost fails her classes. It is hard to say if a collaborative approach by Cady would have worked with Regina when on her throne of power, as Regina would not be keen to listen or empathize. Cady would have be better off walking away from the plastic clique and develop more authentic friendships elsewhere. I agree with you that Gretchen would, by taking 214, learn how to express her feelings better, have better self-esteem, more authentic friendships, and be generally happier.
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