Download Factors that affect communication

Factors that affect
communication
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Learning objectives
Social and cultural effects on
communication
Misinterpretation of messages
Icons key:
Flash activity. These activities are not editable.
Sound
Extension activities
Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page
Web addresses
Accompanying worksheet
Learning objectives
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Social and cultural effects on communication
When we refer to a culture, we may mean a group of
people that have similar traditions, social customs,
values and beliefs.
Cultures provide people with ways of thinking, and ways
of seeing, hearing and interpreting the world.
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Social and cultural effects on communication
Social class may refer to a social grouping whose members
have similar economic, social or cultural characteristics.
As a carer, it is important to
recognize that cultures or
social groupings different to
your own will have their own
behaviour patterns.
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Social and cultural effects on communication
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Misinterpretation of messages
Written messages, such as e-mail, can be misunderstood.
Stereotyping and making assumptions about people can
also lead to misunderstanding.
Sometimes, misinterpretation of a spoken message is due to
cultural and language differences. In these cases, it’s
important to use language that the service user will
understand, and for them to be able to repeat key points
back to you to show they have understood the message.
Read through the case study
on the next two slides and
identify how a message
is misinterpreted. What could
be done differently?
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Case study: misinterpretation of messages
Toby, an English-speaking social worker, is visiting a
client’s home. The social care client, Christiane, is German,
a young single mother, and can speak only basic English.
She has three young children, who are noisily running
around and shouting during the course of Toby’s visit.
While she normally tries to be more strict with
the children, Christiane has trouble controlling
them this time as she’s feeling tired.
After asking them to behave a few times, she
gives in and lets them carry on playing loudly
while she tries to answer Toby’s questions
about how she’s getting on.
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Case study: misinterpretation of messages
Satisfied that Christiane is coping adequately with her
personal and financial situation, Toby decides to continue
their conversation on his next visit, and gets up to leave. As
he does so, he indicates towards the children and says “I bet
you could do with a break from these three, eh! Take care,
see you later!”
Christiane suddenly looks offended, becomes distressed,
and asks Toby to leave. Toby doesn’t understand what the
problem is but leaves, confused.
Why do you think Christiane becomes upset?
What could Toby have done differently?
What might benefit Christiane’s situation?
Discuss in pairs or groups before reading
some suggested answers in the Notes Page
of this slide.
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2011