A Single Family Case Study of Patterns of Movement Phrasing and Effort Dynamics Among Three Generations of Men

Wendi F. Kornberg

doi:10.17918/etd-2950

The objective of this single family case study was to explore the similarities and/or dissimilarities of patterns of movement phrasing and effort dynamics among three generations of men. A Grandfather, Father, and Son from a Caucasian, Catholic family were recruited and asked to participate in a three part assessment, which included a questionnaire, a movement activity, and an interview. Both the movement activity and the interview were videotaped. Prior to the convening of the two raters, a predominant movement phrase from each family member's movement activity and interview was chosen by the researcher and a professional movement observation specialist whom was blind to the study. The movement assessment that this study used to rate the patterns of movement phrasing and effort dynamics observed in the chosen phrases was based on Laban's Effort/Shape Analysis and North's Movement Personality Assessment. This qualitative form of analysis and case assessment examined the subject's predominant use of patterns of emphasis, length, and efforts in a phrase and helped to provide a holistic view of the subjects' sequencing and style (Levy, 1988). Overall, the analysis of the data collected fostered a greater understanding of this family, and it revealed that similarities among the Grandfather, Father, and Son are present. These similarities were observed among all three generations of men, as well as within the Grandfather-Father dyad, Father-Son dyad, and Grandfather-Son dyad. After evaluation of the movement demonstrated by the three generations of men, it was determined that this family has access to all of the effort factors, which signifies the presence of health. Since currently there is no baseline of normal patterns of movement phrasing and effort dynamics of male family members, this research began an exploration of the intergenerational transmission of nonverbal movement patterns. Future research can possibly use these nascent findings to expand and continue understanding this phenomenon. Further pursuit of this intergenerational research will continue to increase our knowledge and understanding of the family and the transmission of behaviors through the generations. The dance/movement therapist is uniquely equipped to work with the whole family and use movement and nonverbal behavior to observe family interactional patterns, assess the nature of the family system, and provide interventions that create positive changes (Bell, 1984, p. 101). By breaking down family patterns of behavior into their nonverbal elements, dance/movement therapists might help families formulate healthier, more functional patterns of nonverbal communication, providing a new perspective for understanding the intergenerational family dance.

A Single Family Case Study of Patterns of Movement Phrasing and Effort Dynamics Among Three Generations of Men

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A Single Family Case Study of Patterns of Movement Phrasing and Effort Dynamics Among Three Generations of Men

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