Title: Identify communication barriers in relationships.
Course: Family Relations (19259-18) > Section: Developing Communication Patterns that Enhance Relationships

Identification should include contextual factors that influence effective communication including, but not limited to,

- developmental levels of those communicating
- gender differences
- cultural differences
- levels of education
- physical setting and time of interaction
- mood or feelings
- levels of power (e.g., dominant, subordinate) held or perceived.

Identification should also include the following roadblocks to communication:

- Stereotyping or displaying prejudice
- Advising or lecturing
- Threatening, insulting, or attacking
- Using sarcasm
- Distracting
- Not paying attention (e.g., technology or mobile devices)
- Interrupting

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What factors influence communication with younger or older family members?
- What roles do spoken words and nonverbal gestures play in communication?
- How can threatening, insulting, or attacking create a barrier to communication?
- What are the attributes of listening?
- What are some gender differences in communication?

Communication

- What values and beliefs affect communication skills?
- How can choosing the most appropriate time or setting for communication allow the receiver to obtain the information better?
- Why is interrupting a speaker a roadblock to communication?
- What are the different needs in communication based on various levels of power?

Leadership

- What actions can be taken to help others overcome barriers to communication?
- How does the level of power held or perceived by sender and receiver affect communication?
- What work or school settings would allow us to learn better communication skills?
- How can a distracted receiver be perceived by the speaker?

Management

- How can technology become a roadblock to communication?
- How can technology help address some roadblocks to communication?
- What techniques can help set the stage for effective communication with people of different ages or developmental levels?