Physical attributes significantly influence communication such as with race, age, height, weight, overall appearance, etc. For instance, when it comes to first impressions, many people judge others based on what they initially see on the outside rather than who they are as a person. Unfortunately, we are all guilty now and then of falsely made first impressions. Physical limitations can also affect the way we perceive something and may include such things as being overly tired and the inability to see or hear clearly. First impressions can compromise perceptions and our ability to communicate effectively.
Even the way you see yourself affects how and what you communicate to others. Likewise, how others view us also contributes to how effectively we communicate. These aspects will also vary as people and places in our lives change. Personality is, of course, who we are. Effective communication can be affected by our personalities. For instance, outgoing individuals may find socializing with others easy and enjoyable, while those who are shy, such as myself, find that talking to others within a group environment to be quite excruciating. Who we are as individuals makes our perceptions of situations and others quite different.
With any form of communication, we bring into it our own personalities and self-worth, but our environment or culture also plays a part in processing perceptions. This is usually where people need to pay careful attention to avoid the possibility of offending others. How each of us was raised and the culture in which we were brought up varies significantly from place to place. Factor in our self-worth, past experiences, and expectations and our perceptions can become even more blurred. Unfortunately, many of us may also carry the same perceptions throughout our lives leading to the stereotyping of others. All too often people are generalized based on unpleasant experiences caused by a select few, such as with the 9/11 terrorists. Sometimes we see what we want or expect to rather than what may actually be there.
Learning to recognize and appreciate each person as an individual is the first step in communicating more effectively. Context is another important means of interpreting perceptions as a result of statements or actions. Understanding the process of perception is vital to good communication as it provides the foundation for our assumptions of ourselves and others. We may never see things exactly the same as someone else; however, we should all be willing to develop the ability to accept another’s point of view as well as individuality.
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