Appreciating Communication as a Key to Human Understanding - Essay Example

Appreciating Communication as a Key to Human Understanding While experts have exhausted much in exploring the complexities of communication, our understanding of the basic communication process, identifying common communication barriers and finding ways to improve communication have not dealt much about appreciating this process as a key to learning and improving our conditions in life. This paper will answer three major questions: What really is communication? What causes faulty communication or what are the barriers to communication which people blame for most of the problems in our society? How can communication be improved? Lastly, the researcher will end his paper with a short conclusion. Any social system or organization that involves human interaction, learning. and the management of people almost always complain that failure to communicate directly or indirectly causes many of the problems that occur to them. At its most basic, communication may be defined as the process of sending and receiving information, thoughts and ideas. It can be in verbal or non-verbal form. As a term, however, communication, has been defined in myriad ways for varied, and often inconsistent, purposes. However, the most common qualities shared by these definitions of communciation state the following – a) Process. Since it changes, moves, evolves, or adapts in events. It cannot be viewed in static or dormant terms because this may suggest fixed and unchanging condition. Since communication is a process, relationships are part of a continuous flow (Rothwell, 2001); b) Transactional. It is because each person communicating is both a sender and a receiver simultaneously. In any communication, it is not concerned about a sender communicating or a receiver communicating. In other words, each party have had an impact on each other and the elements are interdependent (DeVito, 2007). c) Symbolic. Communication is often referred to as the symbolic process in which people create shared meanings. In this regard, symbols are vital in any communication system because they are referred to as the shared meanings that are central in communication; and, d) Sharing of meaning. In order for meaning to be established or the communication to be initiated, it has to be shared. By sharing meaning, the context of ordinary, mundane or common interpretations are formed. With the definitions experts have attributed to communication, communication may be regarded as a complex process. As a process, there are three elements necessary for communication to occur. Lustig and Koester (1999) identified these as: a) thought, b) encoding and c) decoding. In the communication process, we first have thought, which is referred to as the information that exists in the sender’s mind, which can either be an idea, information, concept or feelings. Second is encoding. This is the sending of the message, such as words or other symbols. Third and last is decoding. It is in this stage when the recipient of the message process or translates the words or symbols into an information, concept or idea that the recipient can understand. The message received during the transmission of such are called content and context. The first one, content, is the actual words or symbols of the message, whether spoken or written words combined into phrases that make sense grammatically and semantically. Humans are used to interpreting meanings of words differently, hence, simple messages may be misunderstood sometimes. In addition, several words may have different shades of meanings that may confuse the issue even more. By deduction, a message encoded has not been communicated or decoded unless the receiver understood it. Through constant feedback or the two-way communication that is established, the message encoded may be considered properly received or decoded. In order for a communication exchange to transpire, the parties involved must participate to complete the information exhange. Hence, when the principles of respect, promises and the want for social order are present, communication is formed. Barriers to Communication Since communication is a complex process, the meaning shared or sent may not be understood by the receiver effectively, and sometimes may cause some problems. Among the reasons for the messages sent not to be translated by the receiver the way the sender wants to convey his or her meaning is the so-called communication barriers. Freeman Teague who once said “Nothing is so simple that it cannot be misunderstood,” may have impliedly underscored the idea that anything that distracts understanding of the message is already considered a barrier (filter) to communication. Among the general barriers to communication are: language, perceptions and bias, environmental factors, time and timing, message and complexity, poor listening skills and focusing on ourselves. a) Language. Misunderstanding may occur when there is languge barrier. Language barrier happens when both the sender of message and the receiver do not share the same understanding of the meaning of the language used due to factors brought by geographic, culture or demographic settings. b) Perceptions, bias, and stereotyping. Confusion and conflict may arise when the one listening will dismiss the one who is talking too fast, not fluently and does not articulate clearly the message. One’s pre-conceived notions and attitudes may also affect a person’s ability to listen. Due to bias and stereotyping, people sometimes listen critically of those who speak with low status in society, but uncritically of those with high positions in the society. Our experiences in the past may also interfere with the communication processs when, because of our biases, the meaning of the message is changed. c) Environment. The noise caused by equipment or the ones created around our environment may hinder clear communication to occur. In such situation, the participants in the interaction must be able to concentrate on he messages being sent to each other. If the sender is showing a visual material with too cluttered elements, the visual noise of the material may also contribute in impeding effective communication. Among other environmental noise or stimulus that may distract the transmission of message are bright lights, too attractive person, unusual sights, and others. d) Time and timing. When the sender and receiver do not communicate the message on proper timing or the right time, clear communication may also be hindered. Without proper timing, the receiver of the message may not be ready to listen or accept the intended message, which as a result may only confuse or confound the meaning that must be decoded to be understood. e) Message and Complexity. Since any form of communication is complex already, the receiver who focuses on facts alone and not to the idea may experience communication blockade. Experts referred to so-called semantic distractions as an occurence when a word is used differently than what was originally preferred. For example, using the word herstory by feminists than the more standard, history to refer to events in the past, may confuse the receiver into focusing on the word spoken or written than the message. f) Poor listening skills. Many conflicts, troubles and communications failures have already happened due to poor listening skills. It is not the receiver of the message only who should be responsible in listening, but also the sender of the message since communication is a two-way path where feedback is required or necessary so that full understanding is achieved. g) Focusing on Ourselves. Usually, people tend to focus not on the person but to him- or herself when communicating. Conflict or confusion arise due to defensiveness, ego, and feeling of superiority. In delivering a message, the receiver should always be the priority and all the more, messages should be fashioned for them, who are the end user or beneficiary of the message. In turn, the sender will also benefit through the feedback given or the articulation of what needs to be improved, enhanced or evolved to correct some faulty messages. Sometimes also, we take for granted the act of sending useful information on the belief that the such may no longer hold any value to others, or that the other party may already be aware of the fact. Factors in Assisting Effective Communication. Communication barriers may be overcome by considering some of the factors that may assist for effective communication to transpire. Here are some of the ways suggested by experts that can help in avoiding communication breakdown – a) Active feedback. Only when there is active feedback from both the receiver and sender of the message or when the sender of the message requests for feedback will they both benefit or achieve clear communication. Not responding does not always mean that the receiver already grasped or understood wholly the message, it may mean that he or she do not find the message or the sender interesting to listen to. Hence, there should be a request and an offer for feedback. b) Consider the words used. It should be remembered that the message being sent or delivered must be designed or fashioned based on the audience or recipient of the message and not the other way around. The nuance or the details of the message should be considered very carefully, including cultural and ethnographic backgrounds. c) Use empathy. When sending or giving out message or communicating with anybody, one must consider what must it feel to be the one receiving or accepting the message being communicated. Without considering what the other party may be thinking or feeling when hearing or listening to someone who talks too much or too verbose, the sender of the message will just repeat the same offense or mistake over and over. In turn, no communication or understanding will ever be achieved. d) Consider timing. Timing is most important when the condition of the recipient or the receiver of the message is not considered. Proper timing is most important when the people with whom your message is intended is under stress. Usually, the way people see and believe things is influenced by his or her psychological point of reference – beliefs, values, experiences, goals and values. e) Select an appropriate location. An appropriate location is useful and helpful when the sender intend that all details and the nuance of the message must be absorbed and decoded by the receiver of the message. With properly-selected venues, the message and its context will be the focus and not the causes of distraction or the irritating noise of people around a busy surrounding. Strategies to improve communication. Obviously, communication per se will not solve all problems. When real communication or when communication is received, this is just the start of understanding, acceptance and full appreciation of the message or idea or concept. But since miscommunication is not always the culprit of our communication problems, because there are barriers or filters that may impede our communication process, with properly threshed out strategies, however, at least the problems will be minimized, if not solved completely. Sometimes, being silent and listening attentively will be great help already and can help improve our communiation a lot. But what should be remembered is that by studying the communication process, there will be understanding of the concepts, dilemmas and breaking down the barriers to achieve our goals of effective communication. When the chain of understanding that integrates one person to another, the highly and lowly in the society, and vice-versa, communication will be improved. Finally, with knowledge comes appreciation. The communication process must be appreciated because learning alone may not bring us to understanding fully this very complex process. Human being, in itself, is already complex and people up to now do not fully understand, so at least when we start with human communication, at least our search will be bridged, and hopefully, we can achieve a better and socially-livable place when understanding abound. Works Cited Chawla, M., 2004, Communication and Leadership. Online. Retrieved July 15, 2009, from Scribd.com: http://www.scribd.com/doc/4678953/Communication-and-Leadership Communication is a process that allows people to exchange information. Online. Retrieved July 15, 2009, from Scribd.com: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2956030/Communication-is-a-process-that-allows-people-to-exchange-information-by-one-of-several-method DeVito, J.A. (2008). The Interpersonal Communication Book, International Edition (12h edn.) Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc. Lustig, M. W., Koester, J. (1999). Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Communiation Across Cultures (3rd ed). New York: Longman Publishing. Rothwell, J. R. (2001). In Mixed Company: Small Group Communication (4th ed). New York: Harcourt College Publishers. Read More

The message received during the transmission of such are called content and context. The first one, content, is the actual words or symbols of the message, whether spoken or written words combined into phrases that make sense grammatically and semantically. Humans are used to interpreting meanings of words differently, hence, simple messages may be misunderstood sometimes. In addition, several words may have different shades of meanings that may confuse the issue even more. By deduction, a message encoded has not been communicated or decoded unless the receiver understood it.

Through constant feedback or the two-way communication that is established, the message encoded may be considered properly received or decoded. In order for a communication exchange to transpire, the parties involved must participate to complete the information exhange. Hence, when the principles of respect, promises and the want for social order are present, communication is formed. Barriers to Communication Since communication is a complex process, the meaning shared or sent may not be understood by the receiver effectively, and sometimes may cause some problems.

Among the reasons for the messages sent not to be translated by the receiver the way the sender wants to convey his or her meaning is the so-called communication barriers. Freeman Teague who once said “Nothing is so simple that it cannot be misunderstood,” may have impliedly underscored the idea that anything that distracts understanding of the message is already considered a barrier (filter) to communication. Among the general barriers to communication are: language, perceptions and bias, environmental factors, time and timing, message and complexity, poor listening skills and focusing on ourselves. a) Language.

Misunderstanding may occur when there is languge barrier. Language barrier happens when both the sender of message and the receiver do not share the same understanding of the meaning of the language used due to factors brought by geographic, culture or demographic settings. b) Perceptions, bias, and stereotyping. Confusion and conflict may arise when the one listening will dismiss the one who is talking too fast, not fluently and does not articulate clearly the message. One’s pre-conceived notions and attitudes may also affect a person’s ability to listen.

Due to bias and stereotyping, people sometimes listen critically of those who speak with low status in society, but uncritically of those with high positions in the society. Our experiences in the past may also interfere with the communication processs when, because of our biases, the meaning of the message is changed. c) Environment. The noise caused by equipment or the ones created around our environment may hinder clear communication to occur. In such situation, the participants in the interaction must be able to concentrate on he messages being sent to each other.

If the sender is showing a visual material with too cluttered elements, the visual noise of the material may also contribute in impeding effective communication. Among other environmental noise or stimulus that may distract the transmission of message are bright lights, too attractive person, unusual sights, and others. d) Time and timing. When the sender and receiver do not communicate the message on proper timing or the right time, clear communication may also be hindered. Without proper timing, the receiver of the message may not be ready to listen or accept the intended message, which as a result may only confuse or confound the meaning that must be decoded to be understood. e) Message and Complexity.

Since any form of communication is complex already, the receiver who focuses on facts alone and not to the idea may experience communication blockade. Experts referred to so-called semantic distractions as an occurence when a word is used differently than what was originally preferred. For example, using the word herstory by feminists than the more standard, history to refer to events in the past, may confuse the receiver into focusing on the word spoken or written than the message.

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