Episode 23: Frozen (2013)
What’s special about sibling relationships? How do people with different attachment styles cope with stress? Why is it risky to get engaged to somebody you met that day? The megahit Frozen—starring the inimitable Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel—flips the traditional Disney script and offers some answers.
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Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel
Intro
1:00: (Eli) Who are the characters and couples?
2:30: (Paul) 1-minute plot recap
3:40: What is our relationship to this movie?
What the movie gets right
6:10: (Eli) The ideologies of “true love” and “love at first sight” are dangerous
Beliefs in romantic destiny predict breakup when times get tough study by Dr. Knee
10:00: (Paul) Siblings function as attachment figures for one another
Older-siblings comfort younger ones study by Dr. Stewart
Siblings are closest under circumstances similar to this film review by Dr. Van Volkom
13:30: (Eli) Avoidantly attached people lash out when they feel emotionally trapped
Avoidant people are less supportive when their partner is anxious study by Dr. Simpson
Avoidant people are less supportive during severe conflict study by Dr. Simpson
Avoidant people engage in less caregiving during airport farewells study by Dr. Fraley
Avoidant people hate it when they can’t withdraw review by Dr. Mikulincer
Avoidant people use emotion-suppression coping strategies review by Dr. Mikulincer
Suppressing thoughts ironically makes those thoughts more accessible study by Dr. Wegner
20:10: (Paul) Anxiously attached people are more “manic” about romantic connection
Anxious attachment and manic love study by Dr. Heaven
21:05: (Eli) Throw people a little love, and you’ll bring out their best
The power of unconditional positive regard book by Dr. Rogers
22:10: (Paul) People develop attachment bonds with their pets
Fulfilling social needs through pets is akin to doing so through people study by Dr. McConnell
Men are more romantically appealing when accompanied by a pet review by Dr. McConnell
Self talk is a good self-regulation technique study by Dr. Kross
Misconceptions in the movie
24:25: (Eli) Loving without caution is beautiful, but also risky
Strongly prioritizing intimacy leaves us vulnerable to hurt (and vice versa) review by Dr. Murray
27:25: (Paul) Knowing somebody for a few extra hours doesn’t mitigate the risk that much
Sacrificing is appreciated when the costs are high study by Dr. Shallcross
29:45: (Paul) There isn’t much evidence that couples with one anxious and one avoidant partner are especially troubled
There are no reliable “bad combinations” of attachment styles study by Dr. Lozano
“Are we ok with this?”
32:35: (Paul) It’s nice to see a Disney movie in which the villain is attractive and charming
33:30: (Eli) It’s not great that a big cheer scene at the end involves a punch in the face
34:10: (Eli) The main characters in this movie are strong, self-sufficient women
34:40: (Paul) Cultural sensitivity and collaboration are good—and they can create great art
36:05: (Eli) People can be happy in unconventional families
Relationship Quotes!
36:50: (Paul) Love is about being sensitive to one another’s needs
37:25: (Eli) We can get tongue tied when we’re around somebody we’re smitten with
What do we wish we knew?
39:10: (Eli) How much does fear of hurting others make us attachment avoidant?
40:35: (Paul) If we’re attracted to a person who’s already in a relationship, should we support or challenge that relationship?
42:25: (Eli) Might fear of being single make us especially likely to idealize a new partner?
On average, such fear makes people willing to settle for less study by Dr. Spielmann
Stars (1–5): The hosts rate the quality of the movie
Rusbults (1–5): The hosts rate the accuracy of the movie’s ideas about relationships
Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons
Artwork by Katie Keil