COMMUNICATION CAN MISFIRE - So Think Before You Speak

EFFECTS OF COMMUNICATION

Stimulus and Response (the SR Paradigm)

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Why do you speak…?

The aim of any communication is to produce a desired effect on the audience.

Communication is a stimulus and the effect of communication is the response

that we elicit from the recipient of our communication.

On many occasions communication has unintended effects, much to the embarrassment of the speaker. Your objective may to motivate the person but he may think you are patronizing him. It all depends on the situation and frame of mind at that moment.

So before you speak, you must ask yourself: 

“What effect will my words have on the person to whom I am speaking…?”

You must be clear in your mind what outcome you want to achieve and ask yourself: 

“How can I bring about the desired effect in the person I am communicating with…? 

What do I need to say…? 

What style should I adopt…?”

Given below are various effects a communication can produce in the audience, outcomes which you as a speaker can create in a listener, intentionally, or unintentionally, if you are not careful. 

You may intend to sympathize with someone but she may think you are patronizing her. 

You may want to humour someone and land up humiliating or insulting him. 

Unintentional lapses in communication may result in negative outcomes in the audience. 

Conversely you may want to confuse your audience and end up educating them…!

A FEW COMMUNICATION EFFECTS (STIMULUS and RESPONSE)

Inform

Instruct

Impress

Influence

Inspire

Irritate

Insult

Instigate

Inflame

Teach

Guide

Educate

Persuade

Motivate

Convince

Dissuade

Flatter

Humour

Entertain
Romance

Seduce

Patronize

Appease

Console

Cajole

Confuse

Activate

Sympathize

Chastise

Humiliate

Annoy

Disgust

Alienate

Warn

Threaten

Scare

Whether it is public speaking or interpersonal communication, make sure you have a definite intention and clear about the communication effect you want to achieve in the audience before you speak rather than create an unpredictable effect on the listener by default.

And if you do not want to have any effect on a person (or to cause any change in their understanding, beliefs, feelings or behaviour) then it is best to remain silent. 

Why indulge in aimless communication? 

Why speak if you have nothing to say? 

This applies to other forms of communication too - like written and non-verbal forms of communication.

Ask yourself, is there a need to communicate if you have no message or information to convey?

And if you do have something to say please make sure you communicate effectively and obtain the desired effect in the recipient of the communication.

Remember: THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK lest your Communication Misfire.

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
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Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.