Communication as a Catalyst for Motivational Shifts in “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v10i1.1173

Abstract

The journey of life experienced by an individual, along with the dynamics faced, reflects various motivations influenced by intentions and the environment, shaping individual behavior. This study explores the changes in the motivations of the main character in the film ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.’ The main character, influenced by his personal interactions with Amah, alters his motivation from wealth to appreciation of Amah’s legacy of wisdom and relationship. Using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), this research reveals that the motivations shift from externally driven materialistic goals to internally driven emotional goals. Through a qualitative approach employing Todorov's Narrative Analysis Method, the findings demonstrate that interpersonal communication is crucial in transforming motivations, showing how social interactions can influence individual attitudes and behaviors, and highlighting the importance of family values in this transformation process. To conclude, every rational action generates intrinsic and extrinsic drives, regardless of whether the outcome aligns with the original objective. The dynamics and communication involved will lead to self-development.

Keywords: Interpersonal Communications; Motivation; Theory of Reasoned Action; Todorov’s Narrative Analysis

Author Biographies

Sandra Marissa Sitorus, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia

Sandra Marissa Sitorus is a student in the Cross-Cultural Psychology Master's Program at the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia. She has conducted several research studies on social and cultural settings during her studies.

Rustono Farady Marta, Universitas Satya Negara Indonesia (USNI)

Dr. Rustono Farady Marta, S.Sos., M.Med.Kom. (蔡益安-FRAD) is a visiting assistant professor at the Faculty of Psychology at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia and Vice Rector of Student Journey & Enrollment, Alumni Affairs, Partnership at Universitas Satya Negara Indonesia (USNI). His research interest on identity and media studies as one of masterpiece PhD of Communication Science at Universitas Indonesia. He also focus in development of scientific journal by Indonesian Communication Science Journal Publishers Association (APJIKI). His research track record can be traced through SINTA ID: 259075, Scopus Author ID: 57211404689, Web of Science (WoS) Researcher ID: X-1554-2019

Hana Panggabean, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia

Hana Panggabean is a professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, in Jakarta. She has been working on research topics on culture and psychology in organizational settings for more than 20 years. Her working experiences include extensive years with developmental research projects and consultancies focusing on local cultures and group behavior.

Engliana, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia

Engliana received the doctoral degree in Applied English Linguistics major in Translation Studies from the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia. She has over 13 years of experience as an Academician and 5 years in the language training industry. Her current research interests include translation process research, Translation Studies, language and literature. Her publication topics include Translation Studies, translation process research, English language teaching, and second/foreign language.

Anthony Le Duc, St. John's University

Anthony Le Duc holds a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL, USA, and a PhD in Religious Studies from Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand. Specializing in religious environmentalism, his research explores the intersection between religion and contemporary issues, including ecology, technological development, communication, and migration. Dr. Le Duc currently serves as the Executive Director of the Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication at St. John’s University in Thailand and is the Chief Editor of the journal Religion and Social Communication. Additionally, he lectures in Moral Theology at Saengtham College's Christian Studies Department in Thailand. 

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Published

2025-06-19

How to Cite

Sitorus, S. M., Marta, R. F. ., Panggabean, H., Engliana, & Le Duc, A. . (2025). Communication as a Catalyst for Motivational Shifts in “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”. Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia, 10(1), 158–172. https://doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v10i1.1173

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): Juni 2025 - Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Sandra Marissa Sitorus, Rustono Farady Marta, Hana Panggabean, Engliana, Anthony Le Duc

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