FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES

DIPLOMA IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA (MC110)

COM158

INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION THEORY

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT TOPIC:

MOVIE REVIEW; KETIKA BERHENTI DI SINI

PREPARED BY:

YUAIRIN NATASYA BINTI YUDANYL AIFY

MATRIX NUMBER: 2023840988

CLASS GROUP: N5MC1101N

PREPARED FOR:

DR. SITI FAIDUL MAISARAH BINTI ABDULLAH

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

18TH JANUARY 2024

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

BIL CONTENT PAGE

1. Introduction 3-5

Identify and Explain Communication

Scenes in the Movie that Represents

4. Conclusion 12

5. References 13

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

The study of communication theory focuses on the understanding and exchange of

information between people or groups. It spans a broad spectrum of academic fields, such as

media studies, linguistics, psychology and sociology. Understanding the mechanisms and

processes that underpin successful communication is the main objective of communication

theory at large.

In 1980, S.F. Scudder put forth the idea of communication theory. It asserts that,

despited their varied modes of communication, all living things on Earth exchange information.

Observable alterations in leaf colour as well as the dropping of leaves and blossoms are how

plants express their urgent need for attention and regular watering.

Animals use a variety of noises and body language to express their needs, including

food, thirst and medical attention. Similar to humans, animals use body language and gestures

to communicate with one another. Everywhere they go, monkey mothers always bring their

young with them, serving as a means of communicating to their offspring that they are safe and

that their care is being provided.

The universal law of communication theory thus states that all living things, including

humans, animals and plants communicate by sound, speech, visible changes, body language,

gestures and by using whatever means most effective to let others know about their problems,

joy, thoughts, feelings and other information.

Gaining knowledge about communication theory can help people and researchers better

comprehend the intricacies of human interaction by illuminating the creation, transmission and

reception of messages. As new communication dynamics are shaped by society and technology,

the field keeps changing.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE MOVIE

Introduction: A romantic science-fiction film from Indonesia, Ketika Berhenti di Sini was

directed by Umay Shahab in 2023 and is a poignant work of art. Ketika Berhenti di Sini looks

at grief from a science fiction perspective and explore what it means to be human in the face

of death. In a heartbreaking moment, Ketika Berhenti di Sini examines suffering, death and life

after death.

Synopsis: Dita (Prilly Latuconsina), a graphic designer is forced to choose between the past

and the present because she can no longer ignore the holographic presence of her late love Ed

(Bryan Domani) and her relationship with Ifan (Refal Hady).

Director: Umay Shahab

Producer: Yahni Damayanti, Prilly Latuconsina, Umay Shahab & Lisbeth Simarmata

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CAST

Prilly Latuconsina as Dita

Bryan Domani as Ed

Refal Hady as Ifan

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2.0 IDENTIFY AND EXPLAIN COMMUNICATION THEORIES CONTAINED IN

THE MOVIE

2.1 Symbolic Interaction Theory

Symbolic interactionism theory assumes that individuals react to objects in their

surroundings based on the subjective meanings they ascribe to them. Meanings can be formed

and changed through social interactions that involve symbolic communication with other

individuals.

A theory in sociology known as symbolic interactionism explain how people’s repeated

actions build and preserve societies (Carter and Fuller, 2015). In other words, communication

or the exchange of meaning through language and symbols, is how members of society make

sense of their social surroundings.

Symbolic interactionism, as noted by Carter and Fuller (2015), focuses on the

subjective perspectives of individuals and how they interpret the world from their own

perspective, rather than the objective definitions and effects of institutions and individuals.

According to the symbolic interactionist theory, meaningful, recurring and subjective

interactions between people are what really form the society, not its objective structure. It is

therefore believed that human interpretation shaped society.

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2.2 Social Penetration Theory

Dalmas Taylor and Irwin Altman were the ones who initially developed the Social

Penetration Theory. The theory adresses how relationships start and grow. It describes how

interactions between two or more people are enhanced through communication. According to

the theory, penetration arises when communication starts at comparatively shallow, non-

intimate levels and progresses progressively and methodically to deeper, more personal levels.

According to the theory, as people reveal more personal information about themselves,

relationships gradually become more intimate.

The term “social penetration” describes two things, the subjective internal process that

takes place prior to, during and following the social exchange, and the open interpersonal

behaviours that occur through social interaction. It might come from surroundings, non-verbal

cues or words. Information exchange is considered verbal behaviour, whereas body language

includes non-verbal cues like posture, eye contact and facial expressions. Human personal

space and the use of tangible objects and spaces are examples of environmental behaviours.

Interpersonal communication triggers a set of internal behaviours that lead to the

construction of a subjective image of the other person, including feelings of positive and

negative attitudes towards them. The act of communicating with another person, whether

through spoken or non-verbal means, initiate a sequence of actions that facilitate the

development of social connections that are founded on the “whole person” as opposed to

isolated behaviours.

There are phases to the systematic process of social penetration that occur over time.

Our true selves become apparent as interpersonal communication moves from the surface to

the more personal, similar to how an onion is gradually peeled back.

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2.3 Uncertainty Reduction Theory

The Uncertainty Reduction Theory is one theory that aims to clarify how people use

communication techniques to lessen uncertainty about other people. According to the theory,

people look for ways to predict how social interactions will turn out because they find

uncertainty uncomfortable. Those who want to lessen that uncertainty often use interactive,

passive and active strategies to help them anticipate and understand the behaviour of others

during an interaction.

Furthermore, the theory indicates that it will be simpler for both parties to predict each

other’s behaviours and actions as soon as the relevant information about interactants has been

retrieved. The Uncertainty Reduction Theory states that individuals may experience

behavioural and cognitive uncertainty. When two people first meet, either or both may take

place. Beliefs and attitudes are the focus of cognitive uncertainty, which makes it more about

one’s identity exploration.

The question of behavioural uncertainty pertains to the potential actions of an individual

in a given circumstances. For example, a person might question why someone else behaves in

a particular way, leading to potential uncertainties. There are seven axioms related to this theory;

verbal communication, non-verbal expressions, information seeking, self-disclosure,

reciprocity, similarity and liking.

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3.0 SCENES IN THE MOVIE THAT REPRESENT THE THEORIES

3.1 Symbolic Interaction Theory

During the first two scenes, Dita describes the cardinal directions North as earth. It’s black and

her desire as a human. Other people might view the directions as a way to identify their current

location, but due to Dita’s father’s interpretation of North, South, East and West that he taught

to her, Dita’s perception changed. Even though her father taught her when she was little, she

still perceive it the same while growing up and became an adult. This shows that Dita’s reaction

to objects surrounding her is based on the subjective meaning her father ascribed them with.

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3.2 Social Penetration Theory

These scenes shows Dita’s and Ed’s relationship progress. They first met at a device repair

shop that was coincidentally recommended by Ed online when Dita asked for a repair shop that

could be done quickly. Their conversation were shallow, and rather petty because Ed pretended

that they are friends in front of the owner of the shop so that he could repair Dita’s Ipad as soon

as possible. Their second meeting was at the repair shop again when Dita wanted to take her

Ipad. Ed was making a virtual room for his project and offered Dita to try and review it. Since

then, they started to spend time together and gradually became closer. They ended up being in

a relationship together.

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3.3 Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Ed was seen curious about Dita’s life so he used an interactive strategy to get to know her better

by asking questions about her life. These questions helped him to understand Dita better and

be close with her. They were having a conversation about Dita’s father who taught her about

Mandala and Ed was interested to know more about him. So, he asked if Dita’s father likes to

read and would like to ask him more about it, until Dita answered that her father died several

years ago. When Dita asked him if he knew the movie that she held, Ed answered by the quotes

from the movie. From this interaction, they realized that they had a similarity in their favorites.

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4.0 CONCLUSION

To conclude, communication theory is essential for understanding the complexities of

interpersonal relationships and information sharing in a variety of settings. Since

communication has many facets, it is necessary to develop and investigate different theoretical

frameworks in order to fully capture the richness and complexity of the communication process.

Furthermore, theories of communication emphasise how dynamic and interactive

communication is. One model that emphasises this constant flow of information, criticism and

influence among communicators is the transactional model. This viewpoint recognises that

communication is a reciprocal process and contests the conventional linear theory of

communication.

Essentially, Symbolic Interaction Theory, Social Penetration Theory and Uncertainty

Reduction Theory acts as a roadmap for understanding the intricacies of interpersonal

relationships. It provides us with models to understand the variables affecting communication,

the obstacles that could stand in the way of comprehension and the tactics to improve the

efficiency of our exchanges. The application of communication theory in various contexts such

as media analysis, interpersonal relationships and organisational settings is still crucial for

academics, professionals and anyone attempting to understand the complex network of human

communication.

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Communication Theory - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.).

Www.sciencedirect.com.

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General, in C. /, & Communication, I. (2023, July 27). Uncertainty Reduction Theory And Its

Importance. Communication Theory.

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importance/

Juneja, P. (2019). Communication Theory - Meaning and Examples.

Managementstudyguide.com.

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Nickerson, C. (2021, October 12). Symbolic Interactionism Theory & examples. Simply

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Shahab, U., Sudio, A., Shahab, U., Tiwa, M., Latuconsina, P., Hady, R., & Domani, B. (2023,

July 27). Ketika Berhenti di Sini. IMDb.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24546804/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

Wernecke, C. (2019). Uncertainty Reduction Theory - Interpersonal Communication.

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