Communication is often effective when functional receivers and functional senders are involved. Functional receivers are attentive to senders’ verbal and nonverbal cues and willing to respond (Friedman, Bowden, & Jones, 2003). Functional sender pays attention to the receiver’s feedback, so there is effective interaction. I have witnessed numerous examples of a functional communication process at our hospital. One of the examples involved an interaction between a nurse and a patient. The nurse was performing a regular clinical procedure, and she communicated with the patient who was slightly upset. The nurse had a clear eye contact, used humor, and several nonverbal cues. She was also responsive to the patient’s every utterance. They both were active during this communication process, and, as a result, the rapport was maintained, and the patient’s mood improved as he became smiling.
Dysfunctional communication processes are characterized by a lack of rapport, attention, and responsiveness. Dysfunctional senders are not interested in the receiver’s feedback or reactions (Friedman et al., 2003). Dysfunctional receivers’ responses are often defensive and can be characterized by negative attitudes or microaggressions. I observed this kind of communication process that involved a mother and her teenage daughter. They were not arguing, but they were not listening to each other at all. The mother wanted the girl to tell her about some case related to school, but the girl simply ignored her as she was using her cellphone. When the mother took the cellphone away, the girl started accusing her of being too pushy and controlling. Mother, in her turn, became defensive as well and started telling the girl that it was her duty as a mother to take care of her daughter. As a result, they stopped talking and were both rather upset.
Reference
Friedman, M. M., Bowden, V. R., & Jones, E. G. (2003). Family nursing: Research, theory, and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.