Sense making is the process of interpreting information and generating meaning from it. This process occurs in many contexts including interpersonal communication, small groups, politics, families, mass media, organizations, and health. Sense making is a cognitive ability that everyone develops from birth through experiences and it is a continuous process used in most aspects of life, except when sleeping. Some critics argue the definition of sense making should expand beyond just organizations to other parts of life and explore how it relates to identity development and dealing with uncertainty.

1. Sense MakingBy: Amy Varn

2. So, what is this seemingly obvious Sense Making about?It’s the interpretation of information and then generating what is interpreted…This doesn’t only occur with Verbal Communication…

3. For Example…Unfamiliarity forces an individual to make sense of things…To us, this means: Don’t walk to the left or skate/cycle to the right.To others, it might look like a weird meaningless picture.

4. Sense Making is used by EVERYONE! InterpersonalSmall GroupPoliticalInterculturalFamilyMass CommunicationsOrganizationalPublic RelationsHealthSome theorist see it as highly present in organizational situations…

5. What’s the Point??Without the theory of sense making, there is no Communications!Unfamiliarity forces an individual to make sense…We are constantly experiencing the unfamiliar…

6. It is a continuous process… Sense Making is a cognitive process that everyone is programmed with at birth and must be gained through an individual’s experiences.

7. CriticismThe definition of sense-making needs to be expanded from work/organizations to other facets of one’s life…

8. CriticismIs it a process that helps in terms of identity development? Does the theory explains how members of organizations make forced or unforced choices when they are uncertain of the situation or its outcome.

9. My choice…Is there anything that you can think of in communications that would not involve Sense Making in your life? Except when your sleeping…