Very interesting article Allen. I don't think "George" was teasing "Mary" in this scene, but your explanation as to what might be going on this scene from the movie is, I have to admit, more parsimonious than mine.
What the article says about teasing vs. bullying is really quite interesting. Excellent points. Michael > On December 2008 Michael Britt wrote re "It's a Wonderful Life": >> Okay, how's this for Reaction Formation: remember the scene >> where George goes to Mary's house (before they are married)? >> We know he's in love with Mary but at first he pretends not to >> care for her. In fact, he's even a little bit rude to her. Then they >> get that telephone call (from that rich character whose name >> I forget) and by the end of the call Mary and George are kissing. >> What do you think - the rudeness was reaction formation? > > Or maybe it was just teasing: > > "As they departed in sex-segregated lines, my daughters stood transfixed. > Serafina asked me, 'Why did that girl try to put the crab in the boy's > pants?' 'Because she likes him,' I responded. This was an explanation > Serafina and her older sister, Natalie, only partly understood. What I > witnessed might be called 'the teasing gap'." > > http://tinyurl.com/6oszr8 > > Allen Esterson > Former lecturer, Science Department > Southwark College, London > http://www.esterson.org > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > -- Michael Britt, Ph.D. Host of The Psych Files podcast www.thepsychfiles.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
