Dr. Bailey: An exemplar of critical care

 

Karen E. Norum, PhD.¹

 

Associate Professor, Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies

Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington USA

 

Abstract. We often confuse praise and being nice and polite with appreciative, positive behavior and actions. However, the distinction between positive and negative is not so clear. Some seemingly negative behaviors and actions effectively evoke positive emotions and behavior. Criticism and honest candor can serve a positive function, helping us to learn and grow. This paper makes a case for critical care. Such communication is direct and specific but not malicious. The character of Dr. Bailey from the U.S. TV show Grey’s Anatomy is used as an example of someone who demonstrates critical care.

Key-words: Appreciation, criticism, language, positive emotions, praise

 

Resumo. Confundimos muitas vezes elogio e simpatia com educação e com comportamentos positivos e de apreço. Contudo, a distinção entre positivo e negativo não é assim tão clara. Alguns comportamentos e acções aparentemente negativos podem na realidade desplotar emoções e comportamentos positivos. A crítica e a honestidade franca podem desempenhar uma função positiva, ajudando-nos a aprender e a crescer. Este artigo discute a ideia da cuidado crítico. Este envolve uma comunicação directa e específica, mas sem malícia. A personagem do Dr. Bailey da série de televisão A Anatomia de Grey é utilizada como um exemplo de alguém que demonstra cuidado crítico.

Palavras-chave: Apreço, crítica, linguagem, emoções positivas, elogio

 

 

Texto completo disponível apenas em PDF.

Full text only available in PDF format.

 

 

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Acknowledgements

My thanks to Chi-Hua (Denise) Ho, student in the Doctoral Program for Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, for her awesome skills as a Research Assistant and Joshua Tabor, candidate for the Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, for his keen, insightful comments on a previous draft of the manuscript.

 

¹ Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Karen Norum, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Ave., Spokane, Wa, 99258-2505, USA. E-mail norum@gonzaga.edu.