Introduction
Communication is the process through which people send and receive information or messages. Nevertheless, the message received or sent should have meaning; otherwise, the process would not be effective. In fact, if somebody fails to internalise the meaning of the message, misunderstanding occurs. Consequently, there will be communication breakdown.
Thus, in order to understand one another, both the sender and the receiver must share analogous meanings for words, gesticulations, intonation and other symbols. Primarily, the ability of people communicating effectively with each other is a paramount ingredient towards individual and professional triumph.
In order to enhance communication and avoid problems, researchers have come up with various discourses, which explain and even teach on interpersonal communication.
Notably, interpersonal communication helps people to assess their personal efficacy in communication and it enables them to evaluate interpersonal ability, which is imperative to the crucial indulgent of the communication. Many of these courses train people on how to peep up their interpersonal skills and hence, improve their communication abilities (Chalmers, 1997, 24-27).
It is important to note that self-concept and identity forms the basics of good interpersonal communication. Nevertheless, due to social different social backgrounds and social trainings, each person communicates differently. At one point in life, each person must show some strength and some weaknesses concerning communication.
Moreover, due to the different types of communications exhibited by different people, interpersonal communication varies. The breakdown of the communication system within people or even family members causes misunderstandings.
For instance, very often, the youth find themselves in loggerheads with their parents due to communication misunderstandings. Thus, even with the close physical proximity of people involved in a certain communication, communication problems can arise (Mccroskey & Virginia, 1976, pp. 1-5).
Some of the factors that lead to poor communication and hence communication breakdown include differing emotional states, different social backgrounds, meagre listening, language quandaries, incorrect filtering and chiefly, differences in perception.
The paper will discuss why perception is often the root cause of communication problems. Notably, perception is paramount when it comes to interpersonal communication simply because, from it, springs modalities of creating, maintaining and changing relationships.
We must not forget that in interpersonal communication, every person has different perceptions no matter our relationship-whether face-to-face or in private settings.
The paper also examines why people perceive as they do, differently form one another, and whether the differences in perception help to negotiate a social reality. Realistically, the characteristics of good communication include persuasion, attention, emphasis and nonverbal communication (Roberto, 2008, pp. 3-7).
Perception
The three fields of study, that is, psychology, philosophy and cognitive science have similar definitions of perception. These fields define perceptions as the process that enables people to achieve wakefulness or understanding of the sensory information. It is actually the process of collecting or receiving information and with the mind or senses.
Once a person receives such information, the mind or senses will process it and then action ensue. Perception falls under two categories, that is, visual perception and image perception. Interestingly, a faction of people falls into the category of picture thinkers and others as visual thinkers. Whether image or picture thinkers, the truth remains that people have different perceptions.
This is because every person interprets an image or object differently according to the perceptual level. Indeed, many people agree that a single object generates manifold precepts, thus, it may end up not giving any tangible information at all. In some instances, if the percept has no connection with a person’s experience, then such a person cannot interpret the object or image (Attneave, 1971, 91-94).
Now, suppose the same image or object has a literal meaning to somebody else, he or she will interpret it and finally send a feedback. Thus, different precepts affect communication. In most cases, the progressions of perception change what people see. For instance, if a person views something with a preconceived concept, they will start examining the existence of the concepts.
To some, the concepts might exist, while the others, the do not exist. Already, two groups with opposing views have arisen. This shows how perception causes communication problems. It is also important to note that human beings take more time to comprehend new information, exclusive of the innate preconception of their previous knowledge.
Thus, a person’s knowledge is the source of reality and truth exhibited by human beings, simply because the human mind mulls over familiarities and experiences but not alien things (Yousef, 2008, p.1).
When people interact, they get to understand each other. However, this is trough perceptions as ought to understand the behaviour of another person to stimulate human communication. Notably, a person’s communication behaviour defines how people will envisage that person when involved in the communication process.
For instance, there are people who do not like talking much, while others are talkative. Still, other people do not tolerate some talk be it social, political or economic.
Therefore, the amount of contribution a person makes to a certain communication engagement is an indispensable constituent of communication behaviour, and many researchers have found that, it has a major impact the alleged credibility, reliability, charisma, as well as professed eminence and leadership (Attneave, 1971, 97-99).
Perception and communication problems
Selective Exposure Theory
Numerous researchers have developed various communication theories, which discuss how perception causes communication problems. For example, the selective exposure theory of communication bases its argument on individual perceptions. The theory explains that every individual argues according to personal opinions and perceptions.
Additionally, the theory alludes that, human beings like to engage in information, which they are already familiar to and can give their views. They tend to avoid information that goes contrary to their perceptions and opinions.
To make matters worse, people do not like the idea of other people telling them that their ideas are wrong. They feel great when other people fail to challenge their ideas and they would go as far as selecting those who agree with their ideologies and not those who create dissonance.
In any relationship, healthy communication is paramount for its sustainability. Thus, people need communication skills to help them sustain their relationships. For instance, in business rapports, husband and wife relationship, and/or parent children relationships, different perceptions affects the manner in which these people communicate.
In such relationships, a person must first understand the preceptors of another person before making any judgement. This is the only way that a person can perceive what others perceive. Clearly, communication is a double street that demands a high degree of empathy in order to understand one another.
If our perceptions do not fit the shoes of other people, then communication problems ensues. It is also important to note that perception emanates from our social background, likes and dislikes and our personal understanding of situations (Wood, 1997, pp. 8-23).
Communication pragmatics
This is a communication theory that explains how perception brings about communication problems. Take for example, the relationship involving family members. In most cases, the relationship between family members is the most affected by perceptions. Such a relationship needs constant communication and a high degree of interconnections. In a family setting, most relationships tend to resist change.
This is because of the status that every member of the family holds. The parents will remain parents even as children remain children. The theory goes further to explain that listening to one another is best for a sustainable communication. If parents fail to agree among themselves, the issue will spill over the entire family and cause communication problems within the family.
The way that family members perceive themselves each other determines whether their communication is healthy or not. Nonetheless, it is quite imperative to understand that perception hides truth from the real events. This is because a person might be feeling something but express it oppositely in order to maintain the communication status.
In essence, perception gives people extraordinary annotations, cleansed in a concoction of memories, emotions and logic. Take for example people who have gone to a movie theatre to watch a particular movie. Not all of them will come out with the same experience. In other words, every person will have individual perceptions regarding the movie based on interpretations and conclusions.
This is the similar case with a family relationship or even a business relationship, as every person perceives another person differently. Consequently, perceptions will determine the extent of communication, of course, based on mutual apprehension (Watzlawick, Beavin & Jackson, 1967, pp.5-26).
Both perception and misperception lead to communication problems. In relationships, the story has always been the same. In fact, poor communication brought about by perception and other factors such as derisory empathy and intermittent introspection have resulted into broken many families and relationships. In most cases, poor communication is a product of non-explicit expression to the people around you.
Some people do not want to express their feelings and views, instead, they choose to keep quiet or do otherwise. This is a dangerous situation especially to any relationship and can cause communication problems. Sometimes, it pays to tell your partner how you feel and this will enhance communication. The truth is people get angry or sometimes undergo periods of disappointments in life.
However, it is important that people control their emotions and preceptors ret they spill into a relationship and cause communication problems. Undoubtedly, the characteristics of effectual communication involve every partner in a family or business relationship expressing personal perceptions on paramount issues, exclusive of connotation on whom among the partners is right or wrong.
This is the only way people can avoid communication problems-problems that deter their relationships. It is important that individuals guard their perceptions, step back and express their inimitable and clandestine annotations amongst each other. This will enable each partner in a relationship to acquire a certain amount of empathy required in the communication process (Jourard, 1963, pp. 2-7).
Equally, it is wrong to run personal perception on issues that have emerged without discussing them with close friends, family members or business partners. For instance, experience indicates that married couples who serenely remember and share their perceptions, and who rehearsal compassion, habitually move nearer to the fact, and the decision.
In any relationship that enjoys healthy and effective communication, introspection is paramount. Introspection is a tool that deals with misperceptions concerning somebody or something that brings people together.
Moreover, it helps individuals to scrutinize and mull over personal thoughts and opinions before communicating them. The more people understand themselves—why they behave and act in such a manner—the ready they are to accept perceptions of other people, in addition to theirs (Rummel, 2010, p.1).
Constructivism
This is also another theory of communication that explains how perception can lead to communication problems. Psychologically, there are people who are born naturally cognitive multifaceted in their perceptions. Theirs is complicated communication aimed at achieving certain results.
Of course, they also have higher degree of perception and they can employ a number of pompous message invent judgment to pursue compound communication ambitions. Clearly, this can lead to communication problems especially to people who have low capacity perceptions.
For example, a student may engage the teacher in an intense argument simply because the student feels that the teacher did not award him or her deserved grade. The student may go as afar as telling the teacher how unfair he is and how he or she worked hard.
This is an example of both expressive and conventional design logic emanating from perceptions. Clearly, in this particular example, the student wants to use constructivism to solve out communication problems that have arisen between him/her and the teacher (Griffin, 1997, pp. 493-494).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world relentlessly barrages us with a myriad of information in form of scents, sounds, text messages, words and sights. Our minds, powerful as they are, systemise this information into a mental chart, which characterise our perception or veracity. Ironically, although the source of the information might seem the same, no two mental maps are identical.
This means that every person has his or her own perceptions. Moreover, since the perceptions are inimitable, ideas differ from one person to another. Thus, the sender of information will select things that suit personal attention—selective perception. On the other hand, receivers will only select things that fit into their system and discard the rest. Consequently, communication problems ensue (Brewin, 1989, pp.374-384).
Reference List
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