What's The Bigger Communication Breakdown: Poor "Communication" Skills Or Poor "Comprehension" Skills?

Question

Lliam · Accepted Answer

There are different kinds of communication problems: Too shy and quiet; lack of vocabulary; an inability to organize thoughts and express them; or a style of communication that is obnoxious and puts people off. The latter might include crudeness, loudness, bombast, pontification, dominance, threatening metacommunication, or other things.
I know people who are highly educated and capable of clearly expressing their thoughts who are obnoxious. I don't care to be around them, let alone hear what they have to say. Despite their education, they are ignorant.

Poor comprehension skills may be due to lack of education or cognition. You would have to communicate with someone like that as if talking to a child. Some comprehension problems stem from ideology or, basically, brainwashing. How do you discuss the state of government with a political partisan? How do you have a rational discussion with an ideologue? How do you discuss geology or anthropology with a Creationist? A person with a closed mind is a waste of time.

My conclusion is, poor communication skills can be improved upon with effort and practice. Communication skills are learned. But it may not always be possible to improve upon poor comprehension skills. Therefore, I'd say that poor comprehension skills are a bigger problem, generally speaking.

My wife and I have attended counseling in the past in order to strengthen our relationship and insure its ongoing health. In doing so, we learned a lot about each other but also about ourselves. One of the most important things we learned was healthy communication. It is invaluable for couples but also serves one well in communicating with others.

TCredo · Accepted Answer

Great question Toots... those two memes are well stated... many folks are horrible listeners and do not do what's known as "active listening"

"Active listening refers to a pattern of listening that keeps you engaged with your conversation partner in a positive way. It is the process of listening attentively while someone else speaks, paraphrasing and reflecting back what is said, and withholding judgment and advice."

Great advice and insights on this page too: https://positivepsychology.com/active-listening/

More so lately I've noticed many folks have bias in their ears and it's taken the old game of two people hear the same thing then try to play it back... if the two people have different biases on the topic, you'll get a wildly different playback...

Active listening helps eliminate that... it's not always easy to do but it is great for both personal and business conversations :)

Kaneki05 · Answer

Comprehension. is bigger Lucky my best friend can always tell what i am saying but i always screw up something due to my dyslexia but because my best-friend has good comprehension on what i say and how i act she understands it :)
The thing is tho people can say stuff then try change what they said. But you cannot tell if it really is communication thing or them trying to look like they were right. And then sometimes we say something than realize it was wrong lmao or we screwed up.
Or we take something to literally or too little. Like for example guy said mediating was helpful to sleep because there goals are the same thing so my comprehension thought he meant they both goal for sleep lol but wen he explained what he meant i got it afterwards.
I think Comprehension is a bigger issue tho cause even a person with bad communication problems let's say you screw up a word the other person should be able tell through common sense what word your trying to say. Or you should use your common sense think he meant something he didn't write at all. Not putting words in others mouths but honestly we all screw up here.

JackSmy · Answer

I find that people don't really read everything, and then just respond to what they think I am saying, when I am not, as they DON'T READ THE WHOLE THING!!!
So many are just so quick to hate, and want to argue, that they don't really seem to care what the intent is.
Yeah, sometimes, you accidentally misread, and misunderstand, but some just seem to want DRAMA, and want to start an argument, without really knowing, or caring what the posted, REAL POINT, is.
It is much harder, to really know what the other is really saying, with just text, and not seeing their expressions, or hearing the 'sarcasm' sometimes.

Smoke-n-Growls · Answer

Most often, the communicator.

There's almost always a chance to clarify what you mean to your listener, if they're willing.

That said, especially online, sometimes it's impossible to bridge the gap as a communicator if your listener refuses to, well, listen.

Personally, I find text-based communication much harder than face-to-face (video calls count, since I can see the other person). Through tone, body language, and reading the other party, it's easier as a communicator to adjust your approach or clarify.

That said, the listener also has a chance to clarify and ensure they're understanding the points. But I'd favour the communicator as the bigger factor - they're the initiator, after all.

Massageman · Answer

If we analyze the "communication loop", there is:
1. a message
2. the encoding of that message
3 the transmission of that encoding
4. the receiving of that transmission
5. the decoding of that transmission into - - -
6. the message

A breakdown at any point means the message will not get to its intended target.

If someone doesn't speak the language of a country he or she visits, the breakdown will be at point 1 or 2.
If a telegraph line breaks (ask your grandpa) the breakdown is at point 3 and/or 4.
If someone can't listen, the problem is at 4 and/or 5, and so on.

Vmm90 · Answer

Personally, I cannot decide as to which is worse. It depends on the person, are they listening to comprehend or are they simply listening to respond?

Not everyone is good a communicating how they are feeling. Granted this ties into comprehension, if you don not quite understand, it would be important to ask questions to make sure you have an understanding.

However, if someone is not communicating, you cannot attempt to gain an understanding.

ecfresh · Answer

I see comprehension as a subset of communication skills. In order to communicate well with someone else you have to listen and verify you understand what they said. That’s where skills of active listening, patience, and understanding venting/fixing come in handy. I hope over time that a couple focuses on improving their communication skills overall because that leads to each being more heard and validated. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason :)

MrsJaximus-Lion · Answer

poor communication if you don't do that at all it will ruin a lot and don't wory about skills because you can't be skilled without any communication. i grow up with family that didn't communicat and when i had my first serious relationship with Jax i had a lot of problems with communication but now we are very good at talking and we learned a lot of skills

AndrewMG · Answer

A little from column A and a little from column B... In my life so far there's been occasions where I've been capable of being inarticulate and at the same time misunderstand the point , so I won't highlight either one of my faults, instead I'll give them both the credit they deserve lol I'm working on it, but it's a work in progress! LOL

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

This girl from Texas is just a pen-pal and she's age 28 but she emailed me a few times but her emails are far and in between so I find her communication to be poor but we can't force people to email us... So I don't hold any promise or expect more from her.

Edanurus · Answer

It has to be comprehension, if you struggle to communicate at least if someones good at understand things you will eventually ease out what they are trying to say.

If you struggle at comprehending then it can be like banging your head against the wall. If someone can't comprehend what you are saying it's as good as not communicating.

scorpy04 · Answer

The art of conversation is to be heard Not just to be heard but for the recipient to understand what you have aired the at 2 types of hearing when it comes to listening but not acting on the information this person has conveyed to you Or we have the active listener who takes on board what you have explained and can clarify what they have heard

Steve37 · Answer

It lies on both ends, but I think the biggest breakdown is when one person anticipates what the other is going to say or mean and then doesn't listen because they think they know what is going to be said and their mind is already processing their response instead of comprehending the incoming communication.

RagnarRedbeard · Answer

Comprehension definitely. In fact I'd definitely say that the more heated debates between men and women in particular are all about the differences in perception and each completely misunderstanding the other.

1Sophisticatedme · Answer

poor communication. I have learned over 42 years no one listens to well. It sucks bc people can learn more about someone very well when you open one ear and listen.

Aakash_Hangargi · Answer

It's both those are two pillars if say something and someone is not able to understand its frustrating, similarly if you don't say anything at all then no one can comprehend with it so yeah without both other will fail

likelyOK · Answer

Communication skills especially via text it is very easy to relay the wrong message or make it sound different than it is meant

Ianto · Answer

"Comprehension skills" form the biggest obstacle.
Most people can communicate reasonably clearly.
Failure generally occurs when the receiver has an agenda that requires misunderstanding. No amount of logic or reason will get through to those who do not want to understand. For proof, try explaining the idiocy of theism to a religious type.

COMMODOREII · Answer

True. Many do not know how to listen. They take it as an insult or think you trying to control them but they do not stop to try to understand. Or maybe the person communicating does not know how to articulate in a tactful way to convey an idea.

HungLikeAHorsefly · Answer

Here's the thing about communication: if you're trying to convey some information or emotion to someone, and they don't understand... then you have't successfully conveyed that information. It is entirely the responsibility of the person initiating the communication to make sure the recipient (s) understand, because the initiator is the one who benefits from that comprehension.

bulletbob555 · Answer

Well I guess it would be comprehension. Even if one comunicated to another if that person wasn't able to understand then comprehension seems like the weak link. A wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse

Anonymous · Answer

Comprehension all day, if they are adequate or slightly better at comprehending they can make up for communication, but communication is hard to recover without it. People are more likely to have communication difficulties, that coupled with comprehension is an imminent disaster.

madgoat · Answer

Comprehension. And the ability and willingness to accept that the speaker may have valid beliefs that do not correspond to your own.

ohshee · Answer

It depends on the point your trying to make or get across like on here when I answer I never proof read I talk in a circle because there's not one answer there is something always deeper it's like when tslkingbto someone. And they are living to you if your quite and listen they will tell you the truth in the same sentence

loveslongnails · Answer

I don't think there's a worthwhile delineation between the two. Either way, the message is going to be misunderstood.

Enochian · Answer

Maybe a bit of both, but for me it would mostly be a lack of comprehension. If someone can't understand what I'm saying I won't get a good reply.

cheapshotbob · Answer

for guys its understanding for women its communicating you have too be simple and straight to the point with some guys or your begin to make there brains melt lol.

yellowph · Answer

Poor communication is worse than poor comprehension.

Poor comprehension can be better, same as poor communication. But f I'm going to choose between the two. Poor communication is worse

Their are barriers in communication and we all know we can still communicate verbally, nonverbally or by written communication.

WindAtMyBack · Answer

They go hand in hand. Making the other person understand is part of good communication skill. If it's not comprehended, they both fail. I'm over exaggerating a little to make a point.

sheikalana · Answer

Both are equally bad but bad communication is a bit worse in my opinion.

humanearth · Answer

Both, they go hand and hand. They are teammates in a argument

bannacookies · Answer

Comprehension skills, because someone may speak and communicate well, but they may not understand and listen back to what others are expressing.

Tunasub · Answer

I think it's a mixture of the 2. Which leads to confusion and frustration, at that point there is no clear communication or comprehension.

newfreshstart · Answer

i would say poor "communication" skills how are you today?

MadBoy · Answer

Comprehension. No matter what you say, if they don't understand, then it means nothing.

skunkbeard68 · Answer

Poor listening and lack of questions asked, and assumptions made.

michael1469 · Answer

Its not comprehension... its straight ip not listening. Happens DAILY with my employees then i have to fix a fuq up

mukyushunko · Answer

Comprehension. I understand not being able to communicate properly but you cannot comprehend something I tie it with emotional immaturity

msc545 · Answer

Poor comprehension. Poor communication can be fixed - poor comprehension can't.

simplelikeme · Answer

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 depends on wether you have brain damage or not 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

CubaPirate · Answer

Young and old. Men and women are great examples of both

venomhbk1313 · Answer

And relationships communication is a key because if you don't have communication followed by trust then you guys might as well kiss your relationship goodbye

MDollarBill · Answer

In opposite-sex relationships the biggest communication problem is that guys neither speak nor understand "womanese", but women keep talking as if we do. Of course, failure to understand is always the guy's fault, never the woman doing the talking. (goes without saying.)

bassinguy76 · Answer

A little of both. I feel the communicator is probably more the breakdown though.

AlwaysBelieving · Answer

I'd say communication. In my experience, most comprehension difficulties can be overcome by communication.

Bananaman177 · Answer

Men tend to be poor at communicating but much better at comprehending. "Guessing what you don't know based on what you do know."

Women on the other hand tend to be quite poor at comprehending, but much better at communicating at great length on subjects they utterly fail to comprehend, or, "guessing what you think you know based on what you don't know, but think you do."

AcidT0y · Answer

Usually both in more or less equal measure I would say.

Angelina25 · Answer

Comprehension I'd say

Jjpayne · Answer

I'd say it's the lack of care or concern of proper communication overall but among your choices...

blutwolfe · Answer

communication comes first, without communication there's not even anything to comprehend

Seangreen · Answer

Women cannot communicate, they have their own definitions to words and say one thing but expect you to know what they really wanted to say.

nathalie0912 · Answer

being extremly closed minded.

OddBeMe · Answer

Comprehension. I can teach my employees communication skills. Comprehension skills? Go back to school.

madprofessor · Answer

Both. Each couple has a communication language, and you both have to learn it with each other.

Jerre · Answer

I think it is a combination of both.

mrgspoter · Answer

People are stupid though right?

Cryptic-Game · Answer

I think both of them are quite bad.

OnigaiSempai · Answer

either of which is lost in translation... not one or the other is at fault

Desconhecida · Answer

Miscommunication for sure

apollo3000 · Answer

I'm listening...

Cougar2Yall · Answer

Poor communication skills.

What's The Bigger Communication Breakdown: Poor "Communication" Skills Or Poor "Comprehension" Skills?

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