Ineffective Communication

    Ineffective Communication     

            Often times the source of conflict is ineffective communication.  Due to variations of culture, education, ethnicity, experience, personality, morals, beliefs, etc., it is highly probable that an individual’s interpretation or understanding of any given circumstance will differ from that of their opposition, deteriorating their communication, and ignite a debatable occurrence.  “The positive role of communication in ameliorating conflict seems so obvious that the premise is seldom given serious examination” (Deutsch, Coleman, Marcus, 2006, p. 144).  However, without the utilization of effective communication, conflict is inevitable.  In addition, “poor communication greatly increases the likelihood that conflict continues or is made worse” (Deutsch, Coleman, Marcus, 2006, p. 156).

            In order to understand the harmful affects of ineffective communication in relation to conflict, the text describes four paradigms: The Encoding-Decoding Paradigm, The Intentionalist Paradigm, The Perspective-Taking Paradigm, and The Dialogic Paradigm.  These paradigms, which are apparent throughout society, explain how information is transferred.  “Information that originates in one part of a system is formulated into a message that is transmitted to another part of that system” (Deutsch, Coleman, Marcus, 2006, p. 145).  Yet messages are often misinterpreted due to variations between individuals, making ineffective communication the most common source of conflict.

          Possible ways in which ineffective communication may initiate conflict include:

1. Noise – any undesired signal which may distort the meaning of the message.
2. Term associations that differ / vary between personalities, values, ideologies, etc.
3. Lack of consideration and / or understanding the intended message sent from your counterpart.
4. Lack of consideration of how the listener will interpret your words.  Insensitivity to the listener’s perspective.
5. Inactive listening (Deutsch, Coleman, Marcus, 2006).

Any / each of these factors affect every relationship any individual will encounter; therefore ineffective communication is the most common source of conflict.  

References:

Deutsch, M., Coleman, P.T., Marcus, E.C., (Eds.). (2006). The Handbook of Conflict

Resolution: Theory & Practice. (2^nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.