Communication

Issues may potentially develop in any circumstance or social relationship. It can be easy for individuals to misunderstand or misinterpret others, and these misunderstandings may lead to arguments or tension in personal, platonic, or professional relationships. In some instances, conflicts may arise, and these conflicts can make communication even more challenging.

Situations that might contribute to communication issues include:

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Childhood stress
Physical and mental health issues
Trauma
Misinterpretation of another person's statements or motivation

Failure to understand another person’s point of view
Cultural barriers
Linguistic differences
Inaccurate assumptions and stereotypes

Stonewalling
Secrecy and deception
Inflammatory remarks or behaviors
Poor listening skills

A number of factors may contribute to communication challenges between two or more parties. Differences of opinion may lead to disagreements between friends or coworkers, and this can contribute to communication difficulties. Those who seek counseling for relationship concerns may frequently cite communication issues as a reason for seeking treatment.

Types of Communication

Cognitive Constraints

Can be seen in communicating parties who do not share similar world views and have dissimilar frames of reference.
Behavioral Constraints

Are differences in verbal and nonverbal actions. For example, while it is acceptable to look into the eyes of an authority figure while communicating in some cultures, individuals from other cultures may find this behavior to be unacceptable.
Emotional Constraints

Describe differences in the expression of feelings and emotions. Those from a particular cultural background may display their feelings quite openly, while individuals from another culture may rigid control over their emotions.
Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

Sometimes referred to as compassionate communication, is an approach to communicating designed to help people connect more compassionately with themselves and others. Nonviolent communication can transform interactions, as it enables people to become more aware of their feelings, needs, and desires, as well as those of others, in a given situation.
Nonverbal Communication

Is the act of conveying a thought, feeling, or idea through physical gestures, posture, and facial expressions. A study conducted at UCLA found a majority of communication to be nonverbal, although the study’s exact statistics—which showed only 7% of any message to be relayed through words, 38% through vocal elements such as tone, and 55% through nonverbal elements such as posture and gesture—are often disputed.
Communication Styles

The four major communication styles —assertive, aggressive, passive, and passive-aggressive — are each characterized by specific language, behaviors, and effects. Being able to identify the major communication styles is likely be helpful in the process of recognizing the styles used in one's personal relationships, which can help an individual become better able to make the adjustments needed to facilitate the growth and development of all relationships.