For this paper, you will analyze how Contextual Factors, specifically media AND societal
messages, influence romantic relationships. In order to do this, you will choose a romantic
relationship in television or film (e.g., Pam and Jim from The Office; David and Patrick from
Schitt’s Creek; Lena and Stef from The Fosters; or another) to analyze and apply the Partner
Interaction stages to. How do the characters’ Partner Interaction stages (initiating stage,
experimenting stage, intensifying stage, integrating stage, and bonding) presented through
television or film, influence how we view our own romantic relationships? Pick a television or
film romantic relationship you’re very familiar with! Picking a couple you’re not too familiar
with will not provide the level of analysis this paper requires!
Learning Objective: This analysis paper option will focus on the Contextual Factors (p. 160;
Unit 3 Section 1) that refer to “sociocultural forces that can impact romantic relationships”
discussed in class and in your textbook (p. 160). In doing so, you will explore how “media
presents both explicit and implicit messages about how to conduct romantic relationships” and
how societal messages can influence our own romantic relationships (p. 160). You will present
this analysis through the application of the Partner Interaction stages (p. 163-164) to your choice
of television or film romantic relationship Learning Objective: This analysis paper option will focus on the Contextual Factors (p. 160;
Unit 3 Section 1) that refer to “sociocultural forces that can impact romantic relationships”
discussed in class and in your textbook (p. 160). In doing so, you will explore how “media
presents both explicit and implicit messages about how to conduct romantic relationships” and
how societal messages can influence our own romantic relationships (p. 160). You will present
this analysis through the application of the Partner Interaction stages (p. 163-164) to your choice
of television or film romantic relationship
