Communication Breakdown

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Ever wonder why a message that seems clear to us is not comprehended by someone else the way we think it should be. How can something we think is stated so clearly become misunderstood that the person we are stating the message to becomes confused? Let’s examine the definition of the word communication. Defined by the freedictionary.com, communication is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior. Merriam-Webster, defines communication as an act or instance of transmitting and, an exchange of information. Simply stated we are sending a message to the person who is receiving it. The idea we want to send should be clear to the person who is receiving the message, but that is not always the case.

There are several factors that can breakdown a message in the communication process.

Communication is only successful when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information as a result of the communication . A transactive model suggests we send and receive messages concurrently. If any kind of disturbance blocks any step of the communication, the message will be destroyed. There seems to be an interesting and sometimes disastrous disconnection between what is said, what is heard, and what happens next. No matter how much detail is given, there is always space for individual interpretation. Think of how many times a teacher can give instructions in a classroom only to discover not everyone did the assignment on time and correctly. The way people interpret situations or sets of facts depends on their personalities, background, experiences, values, attitudes, motives, assumptions, and expectations of each individual. Each individual brings to the situation a diff...

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Glenn Standly, Selecting a Topic, Feb 12, 2011

Words Mean Different Things to People, Communication Resource Center, Bacal and Association, work911.com

Denise4wm, How to Talk So People Will Listen, ehow.com

Glenn Standly, Report or Business Activity, Feb 24,2011

Getting Understood Skills, Communication Resource Center, Bacal and Association, work911.com

Denise4wm, How to Talk So People Will Listen, ehow.com

Glenn Standly, Class Rules, Procedures and Suggestions, Jan 13,2011

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Delia Thompson, Body Language and Communication, SelfGrowth.com

Glen Stanley, Selecting Your Topic, Feb 12, 2011

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