Basics on Communication Breakdowns
What is a communication breakdown?
When there are difficulties communicating and sharing information with others
Your history teacher used a new vocabulary word that you have never heard before.
Ask them to explain what the word means
"Can you say that a little bit louder please? I missed the second part," is an example of which communication repair strategy?
What is repetition - repeating what you said
How do people communicate?
Using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to share information
Your mom quickly gave you a list of things to get at the grocery store for her. You cannot remember the entire list.
Ask for her to say it again more slowly
Student A in this conversation uses which repair strategy when Student B does not understand? Student A: "I learned about cells in Science class yesterday" Student B: "You learned about what in Science class?" Student A: "Cells -- you know, the things that make up people, animals, and plants"
Giving more information to help them understand
What are some communication breakdown repair strategies?
Repeat, Talk slower, Talk clear, Talk louder, Use different words
Fixing the problem when you are not understanding the information others share with you
As your teacher is writing a math problem on the board, she finishes the problem verbally. You miss the last part of the problem.
Ask for the teacher to say it again or ask her to write it down on the board
Pointing, gestures, miming, signing, or writing are examples of this kind of communication repair strategy
Nonverbal communication
During biology, the teacher is talking about cell reproduction. You hear two new words that sound similar (mitosis and meiosis) but do not understand how they connect to cells or reproduction. What caused this communication breakdown?
You don't know what the words mean
What does repair mean?
Fixing something that broke
While telling a story in class, the teacher gives you an odd look when you say a word indicating that she doesn't understand what you said. What should you do?
Give more information to help the teacher understand, check for understanding, ask "do you understand?"
Is this a communication breakdown?
"Please clean your room." Says Mom
"Okay I will clean the broom" I reply
Yes, there was a communication breakdown
A friend asks you for directions to your house. While you're explaining, you can see that they don't understand what you are saying by their facial expression. How can you help them understand?
Use visuals, draw a map or give them more information to help them understand where they need to go
Smiling and shaking your head even when you do not understand is an example of:
A bad repair strategy or A good strategy
Bad repair strategy
During English, you missed the definitions for half of the vocabulary words. You smile politely and nod your head as if you understood, even though you are very confused. Why did this communication breakdown occur?
You weren't focused on the speaker, too noisy in the room, teacher spoke too quietly