Non-Verbal Communications

I watched an old show that my daughter likes to watch called “Sister Sister” with Tamara and Tia Mowry.  The season I watched was the girls were seniors and getting ready to graduate. I never did watch it when it was on.  The reruns are on the Style channel because the girls have another new show now called “Tia and Tamara.”

What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?

The show comprises of the twins living at home with their parents. They are well- cared for and have a comfortable lifestyle that is reflected in their home.  A tall African-American woman had a big part of this show; she was signing autographs on basketballs and shoes. The girls seemed like they had an excellent relationship with one another and their friends.

What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?

Their facial expressions ranged from happy, nervous, worried, disappointed, mad, and confused. Arms crossed and pouting were also part of the episode.

What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?

I thought that Tia was being recruited to play basketball or that this girl was a family friend and was going to help Tia get on a team.  As it turned out, Tia was up for a job interview for the WNBA and was thinking of foregoing college to work instead. Lisa Leslie of the WNBA was the basketball player in the show.

Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?

I think it depends on the show. Even though this show was a series for several years, it was easy to see that the girls had a great relationship with their parents and with each other. It was different watching it with no sound at first. I wonder if a show with more complications would have been a better one to view.