What are the factors that affect interpersonal communication

Interpersonal communication is often affected and interfered by various factors. These factors have a significant impact on the quality, accuracy and clarity of communication, and are directly related to whether the communication can be perfect and effective.

(1) Personal factors

There are a wide range of personal factors, including physiological factors, psychological and social factors. Among them, the factors that are closely related to communication include physiological factors, emotional states and so on.

1. Physiological factors

For example, temporary physical discomfort, such as pain, shortness of breath, hunger, fatigue, etc., can make it difficult for the communicator to concentrate and affect communication. But when these physical discomforts subside, communication can proceed normally. Permanent physical defects will affect communication for a long time, such as sensory dysfunction (hearing, visual impairment or even deaf, blind, etc.), mental development (mentally handicapped, dementia, etc.).

Communication with these special objects requires special methods, such as increasing the intensity of sound and light, or using mute language, Braille, etc.

2. Emotional state

When the communicator is in a certain emotional state, the understanding of the message is often "distorted". For example, when the communicator is in a state of anger and agitation, he or she often overreacts (more than it should) to certain information, which can also affect communication.

3. Personal characteristics

In reality, everyone will have different psychological and social characteristics due to their different living environments and social experiences. Many characteristics affect interpersonal communication to varying degrees. Among them, the impact of personality on interpersonal communication includes the following aspects.

(1) The influence of personality traits

For example, two people who are very independent, highly subjective and communicate with each other, it is often difficult to establish a harmonious communication relationship, and even conflicts may occur. The independent person and the submissive person communicate with each other, and they often establish a good communication relationship because of "complementary personalities", which is conducive to the smooth development of communication.

Generally speaking, it is easier to communicate with people who are cheerful, generous, and straightforward, while communicating with people who are introverted, withdrawn, reserved and narrow-minded often encounter many difficulties.

(2) Understanding the impact of differences

Due to the difference in personal experience, education level and living environment, each person's knowledge, depth and breadth of knowledge, as well as the fields and majors they know are different. Generally speaking, the closer the level of knowledge is, the greater the overlap of knowledge (for example, the same or similar majors), and the easier it is to understand each other during communication. People with a wide range of knowledge and high cognitive level are more suitable for communicating with people with different cognitive ranges and levels.

(3) Influence of cultural traditions

Cultural development has historical continuity. The cultures of different regions and different nationalities will form many distinctive regional and national characteristics in the long-term development process, thus forming specific cultural traditions. The influence of this cultural tradition is always influencing everyone's behavior, forming their "cultural" characteristics that have both commonality and individuality.

Generally speaking, people with the same or similar cultural traditions will feel friendly and natural together, and it is easy to establish a communication relationship of mutual trust. When there are differences in the cultural traditions of the two sides of communication, understanding and respecting the cultural traditions of the other party will be conducive to communication; otherwise, it will have a negative impact on communication.

(4) Influence of roles and relationships

For example, classmates talk casually, slap and play with each other without any regard, but the relationship between teachers and students is different. Based on the dignity of teachers, students can only be respectful in front of teachers. Likewise, there is a difference in communication between subordinates and superiors and co-workers from co-workers. Therefore, the roles and relationships of communication participants are different, which will affect the communication method and communication effect.

4. Communication skills

For example, some people are very good at speaking but not good at writing. They speak well in oral communication, but have difficulties in written communication. Others are just the opposite. In addition, problems such as slurred speech, heavy local accent, inability to speak Mandarin, and slow written recording speed are also problems in communication skills, which will also affect communication.

In short, the situations of interpersonal communication are varied and ever-changing, and the influencing factors are also quite complex and diverse. Understanding some common influencing factors is helpful for communicators to "make the most of the advantages and eliminate the disadvantages" and adapt to changes in communication.

(2) Environmental factors

The environmental factors affecting communication mainly include noise interference, inappropriate environmental atmosphere, and the presence of irrelevant personnel when communicating privacy issues.

1. Noise interference

Such as the banging sound of door and window switches, the sound of cars and hawking in the adjacent street, the sound of the adjacent room, various mechanical noises, and chatting and laughter not related to communication.

2. The influence of the environment

For example, if the room is dimly lit, the communicator cannot see each other's expressions; the room temperature is too high or too low, and the unpleasant odor will make the communicator distracted and unable to concentrate; monotonous and solemn environment layout and atmosphere, It is conducive to concentration and formal and serious talks, but it will also make the communicator feel nervous, depressed and incomprehensible.

3. Impact of Privacy Conditions

When the communication content involves personal privacy, if other irrelevant persons are present and lack of privacy conditions, it will interfere with the communication. A quiet place that avoids irrelevant people is conducive to eliminating concerns and speaking freely.