2. Types of Input
The brain is constantly receiving large number of
input.
Some of it we process consciously, such as when we
read a book or listen to another person. And some of it
we process unconsciously, without thinking about it in
order to do so. Still other information our brain won’t
process simply because it is not important or it would
result in information overload.
it’s impossible to understand and process everything
that we see and hear. Now try listening just to one
person standing near you.
3.
4. Types of Input
The brain receives this information in the form of input
through five main channels that are represented by the five
senses:
Visual – what we see
Auditory – what we hear
Kinaesthetic – what we feel, touch, sense, or experience
Gustatory – what we taste
Olfactory – what we smell
But in general people communicating in the workplace with
the first three types of input: Visual, Auditory, and
Kinaesthetic.
These three are often referred to as VAK for simplicity’s sake
5. Filters
Our mental filters are just what they sound like – filters our
brain uses to process input. As our brain receives
information, the intended meaning of that information
may be changed by our filters so that the result is not the
same as the original intention. The way we will interpret
the information is dependent on our own personal filters.
Everyone has different filters that will affect how the input
reaches the brain.
Delete – this information will not be processed because it
is filtered out as unimportant or not acceptable.
Distort – most filters will distort information so that the
meaning the receiver applies to the input is not the same
meaning that input would have for a different receiver. The
meaning is shaded, changed, or added to by our filters.
6. Filters
Everyone has different filters that will affect how the input
reaches the brain.
certain patterns that will occur and that causes will lead to
effects. Some things that act as filters as we process
information include our:
Values
Beliefs
Past Experiences
Prejudices
Feelings
Environment
7. Values
The things that we value are the things that are important
to us in life. We will interpret input in light of our values
and make judgments about the input based on our values.
For example, if we value education, we may see input as
opportunities to learn additional information and improve
our education.
If we value our relationships with family, we will be more
likely to receive input from them and to interpret that
input in a way that fosters our relationships with our family.
In the social life, we are likely to value our image as others
see us, our reputation, the approval of our boss, the input
of our colleagues, our work ethic, and our ability to make a
difference in the workplace.
8. Beliefs
Beliefs are slightly different than values, though there
can be some overlap. Our beliefs are the guidelines we
use to understand how the world works.
For example, we might believe that hard work will be
rewarded, that there is a higher power, or that good
things will come to those who wait.
When we experience input, we will look at it through
our beliefs and attempt to make that input fit into our
beliefs – or recognize it as not fitting in with our
beliefs.
9. Past Experiences
Past experiences are influencing our current
communication
Our brain is examining our past experiences in order
to be prepared to respond to what comes next.
10. Prejudices
We all have prejudices. They occur when we take our
past experiences with a person and assume that the
same type of experience will happen with all people
who are similar to the first.
Prejudices are partly due to culture and partly due to
personal preference or experience. Not all prejudices
involve a negative characteristic either.
11. Feelings
For this area of influence, there are actually two ways in
which your feelings can influence your communication
with another person.
The first simply refers to the way that you feel on a given
day; if you feel well, you’ll communicate in one way and if
you feel ill you’ll communicate in another. Since your well
being fluctuates, it makes sense that the way you
communicate will change somewhat with how well you are
feeling.
The second aspect related to feelings refers to how you feel
about a specific person. When you genuinely like someone,
the way you communicate is going to show it.
Unfortunately, the same can be said for when you don’t like
someone.
12. Environment
All of us communicate differently in different
environments. This is simple enough to observe in
everyday life.
Do you speak to your colleagues the same way that you
do to your friends?
Do you talk to strangers with more or less formality
than people you know well?
Do you talk to your subordinates the same way when
your own boss is there as you do when she is not there?
As you go through your workday, notice how where
you are, what is going on and who else is present may
be impacting the way that you communicate.
13. Environment
Recognizing how the environment might be affecting
others you communicate with is a skill that can come
in handy for you, particularly when you perceive that
the environment is having a negative impact on your
ability to communicate effectively with someone.
This skill will help you to perceive why someone might
be communicating in the way that they are.
It will also give you a factor that you can alter in order
to make the person more comfortable or to establish a
level of formality that you feel is important in a
particular situation.
