Communication skills

Question 1

What are barriers to communication?

Answer 1

Semantic - meaning.
Organisational - culture, relationships, structure etc.
Psycho-sociological - emotional and psychological status of sender and receiver.
Cultural - values, beliefs, traditions, interpretations.
Physical - noise, time, distance, defects in technology etc.

Question 2

Overcoming barriers to communication.

Answer 2

Sender - Use 5WH
Receiver - 
be attentive
ask questions 
get clarification
paraphrase 
summarise

Question 3

What is cognitive dissonance?

Answer 3

Cognitive dissonance is the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas or values at the same time..
Festingers (957) cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our beliefs, ideals and values in harmony and avoid disharmony (dissonance). As the experience of dissonance is unpleasant, we are motivated to reduce or eliminate it and achieve consonance (harmony).

Question 4

What are the 7 elements of effective negotiations to address differences in conflict?

Answer 4

1- relationship 
2-communication
3- interests 
4- options
5- alternatives
6- legitimacy
7- commitment