Getting heard is easy. Being understood is different.
There are two barriers to communication that bear consideration. First, there are physical barriers, relatively easily overcame. In the mid-twentieth century, radio communication was obfuscated by static. Further into history, slow mail service—or no mail service—was a barrier to communication.
In the early twenty-first century, however, physical barriers are not entirely gone. Noise in the environment or loss of cell service emerge as physical barriers, but for the most part, the physical obstacles are easily and routinely overcome.
The second type of communication barrier is psychological. Though the words and images are received well enough, it is the mind of the receiver who interprets the signals and gives them meaning. The life experiences, expectations, and beliefs derive meaning from the words and images.
When such precognitions about a situation are rigid and unchallengeable, misunderstandings abound! The meaning the sender intended is lost to the prejudices of the receiver.
When the person receiving the message has preexisting beliefs and expectations, the chances of the intended meaning coming through are very slim.
No comments:
Post a Comment