Communication and Miscommunication Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms, communication models, and clarifying phrases based on the lecture notes regarding miscommunication and effective conversation strategies.

Epictetus

A Greek philosopher who stated that we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

Transmission model

A communication model that treats communication as a one-way process.

Transactional model

A communication model where people give and receive feedback.

Perceptual filters

Elements of experience, including culture, community, and family, that change the meanings and interpretation of messages we receive.

Engage actively

To interact with verbal and nonverbal feedback from others and adjust your message to facilitate greater understanding.

Two-way street

A concept describing communication as a process involving both expressing oneself and being open to what the other person might say.

Interpret

The way people with various knowledge, experience, and cultural backgrounds understand messages.

Complicated sentence structures

One of the most common reasons that leads to misunderstandings.

Nuts and bolts

An idiom meaning the basic details of a subject, such as running a business.

Clarify what they've said

A category of communication phrases including "Can you elaborate on that?" and "Could you be more specific?"

Check understanding

A category of phrases used to confirm comprehension, such as "So, you’re saying that…" or "If I understand you correctly…"

Explain/clarify something already said

A communicative action using phrases like "In other words, …", "To put it another way…", or "Let me clarify that…"