Question 1
The exchange portrayed in the interview is non-dialogic because it does not involve free exchange of ideas between the interviewer and the interviewee. Instead, the interview involves a lot of judgmental and defensive statements, with Tom Cruise always on the defensive. On the other hand, the interviewer presents his opinions about Cruise as though they should be accepted as facts and does not want to accept the views of Cruise as the reality. In addition, the interviewer is judgmental and does not promote a conducive environment for dialogue to know the real facts about the topic of discussion. There is not politeness in the discussion because at some point, the interview becomes so intense.
Question 2
The six defensive behaviors are evaluation, control, strategy, neutrality, superiority, and certainty
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Evaluation : Cruise tells Lauer that “Scientology is something that you don’t understand,” which passes a harsh and final judgment on the knowledge of Lauer about this subject.
Control: Lauer seems to impose a specific solution when he says that Katie is opening herself to Scientology because she is with Cruise.
Strategy: Lauer seems to have a preplanned approach aimed at manipulating Tom Cruise because he gives an opinion and expects Cruise to accept it as the truth, such as the subject of scientology.
Neutrality: Lauer does not care about Cruise’s feelings because he continues to ask him sensitive questions about scientology even when Tom Cruise seems uncomfortable with the questions, and at some point becomes emotional.
Superiority: Being a Hollywood actor and a celebrity, Tom Cruise feels superior to the anchor and answers some questions in a condescending manner.
Certainty: Tom Cruise answers his questions with some sense of certainty, like at the point where he tells Lauer, “Scientology is something that you don’t understand.”
Question 3
The first moment that was destructive to having a productive exchange was when the topic of Scientology was mentioned. Lauer would have asked Cruise about the topic in a more general manner instead of directing judgmental questions.
The second moment was when he asked Cruise about the strange conditions manifested by Holmes after their divorce, which makes Cruise to be defensive and emotional. Lauer was to avoid questions touching on Holmes’ strange conditions and their relationship after noticing that the subject was emotive.
The third moment was when Lauer started discussing psychiatric drugs, which made Cruise uncomfortable. He could have introduced this topic in a more general manner and ask Cruise about his opinion about the matter rather than initiating direct attacks.
