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can misjudge and also labeled the messages incorrectly , how people mentally process information , the mental shortcuts we all use to make sense of the world , the breakdowns and barriers during communication and approaches to overcome these barriers and communication issues . When we interact with another person , we are literally bombarded with information . What the person looks like , what he or she is saying , and how he or she is acting , all comprise but a fraction of the information available to us that we may use in forming an impression of the individual . One judgment we may make about another individual concerns his overall character . In other words , we want to know how honest , trustworthy , likeable , or good the person is . Initial encounters are emotionally concentrated events that can overwhelm us - even convince us that the room is spinning . We walk away from them with a first impression that is like a Polaroid picture - a head-to-toe image that develops instantly and never entirely fades . Often , that snapshot captures important elements of the truth ( Lesko 2006:32 ). However this demonstrates that certain crucial labels can transform the entire operation of the person cut leading to
attributions which are related to the label that on a broad cultural basis Or even , perhaps , on an autochthonous or indigenous basis ( Lesko 2006:37 ). Communication is perhaps the most important factor in determining the kinds of relationships we have with others . Some people talk to a person , at a person , or with a person . Effective Communication exists between two people when the receiver interprets the sender ’ s message the way the sender intended it . However , we often expect our listeners to act in accordance with the intentions of our message , and we are often bewildered , hurt , or angry when our listeners do not do so . In the book , “ Becoming Aware : A Text / Workbook for Human Relations and Personal Adjustment ” both authors , Velma Walker & Lynn Brokaw focus on all the basics and issues that may arise during interpersonal communication . The book states : “ When two people talk , six possible messages can get through :”
• What you mean to say
• What you actually say
• What the other person hears
• What the other person thinks he hears
• What the other person says about what you said
• What you think the other person said about what you said
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As much communicating as we do , most of us are not all that efficient in performing this simple act . Perhaps , the trite , but true statement - keep the communication channels open - indicates the complexity , rather than simplicity of communication ( Walker & Brokaw 2001:229 ). The world around us presents a complex array of information . Due simply to sheer volume it is humanly impossible to pay attention to all the information available to us . So , given all of this information how are we supposed to make sense of it ? A major interest of social psychologist is how people mentally process information they receive . Decisions are not always based on a thorough analysis of the information at hand . Instead , people sometimes rely on mental shortcuts or intuition and reaching decisions . These mental shortcuts , or heuristics , are commonly employed strategies that people use for making sense of the world . Problem is , these mental strategies often get us into trouble by shading how we interpret events in the world around us ( Lesko 2006:64 ). Social cognition is concerned with the process that people use to make sense of the social world . One finding from research in this area is that people tend to be cognitive misers ; that is , all things being equal , people prefer to think as little as possible when reaching decisions . To help them achieve this goal , they employ cognitive strategies such as heuristics or mental shortcuts for understanding the world . Even though we use many types of mental shortcuts to help us explain and understand the social world around us , still all these mental shortcuts ultimately do , however , are create biases and how we interpret the events around us . Many of these biases involve inconsequential events , and no harm comes from believing them . But in other situations , using this biased information processing to make important decisions about our lives will eventually lead to problems . Thomas Gilovich was one professional who examined some of the biases and everyday judgement that could easily cloud our ability for accurate critical thinking ( Lesko 2006:65 ). Without a doubt , many of the difficulties that arise in communication stem from the fact that we fail to remember that communication is really a two-way process . Open two-way communication facilitates understanding in communication , which in turn helps such things as developing a fulfilling
VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE ISSUE 09 183