This document discusses miscommunication and how to avoid it. It defines miscommunication as occurring when the listener's interpretation does not match the speaker's intentions. There are different types of miscommunication including asynchronous communication where there is no real-time exchange, synchronous communication where there is real-time exchange, and no communication where there is no verbal exchange. Reasons for miscommunication include not listening, slips of the tongue or ear, and not understanding words or passages. The document provides examples and discusses misperception, misinterpretation, misconception, and ineffective nonverbal communication as specific causes. It recommends choosing the right communicator and message, channel, being aware of culture, thinking before speaking, being clear, grabbing attention
3. Types of Miscommunication
Asynchronous communication: Where Communication doesn’t happen in real time.
•Misperception
•Misinterpretation
•Misconception
Synchronous communication: Communication happens in real time. Eg. telephone,
meetings, etc.
No communication: Where there is no verbal communication.
•Fear
•Assumption
4. Reasons for
Miscommunication
Sometimes people do not listen because they think the subject
is not relevant to them.
One of the most frequent types of miscommunication are
those based on slips of the tongue or slips of the ear.
When people do not understand words, sentences or whole
passages, the brain tries to fill the gap with known structures.
6. Misperception
Misperception It occurs when a person
perceived something wrongly or
incorrectly.
Ex: When a doctor prescribed a medicine
dose for a person and he misperceived
that the dose is same for infants and
adults.
7. Misinterpret
It occurs when a person wrongly
interpret something.
Ex: During IM chats and emails
shortcut words are used which gives
some other interpretation of
sentence or user cant able to
understand the information.
9. Miscommunication due to ineffective use of nonverbal
communication :
When the communication is nonverbal there is a chance that it
can be interpreted and represented wrongly.
A person has to keep in mind the body language(individual facial
expression, eye contact, body movement etc.) & voice
tone(pitch etc.).
Due to inadequate information while communicating.
Physical hindrance.
10. Avoiding miscommunication
Communicator: Communicator should be chosen according to their
efficiency, position or the kind of audience they are going to speak
to.
Message: Message being conveyed should be clear and concise.
Channel: A right channel should be selected. If possible feedback
should be given to the communicator that the message are
understandable or not.
Culture: The communicator should be aware of the existing culture
to avoid the misunderstandings caused by the cultural differences.
11. How can “We” avoid
Miscommunication??
Follow these 5 basic steps:
Think before you speak.
Clarity in speech.
Grabbing attention.
Don’t assume
Re-confirm