Describe the barriers of information processing

Describe the barriers of information processing.

Answers

a) Processing rate
- refers to our ability to process the information that comes to us. Some
people can listen to 600-800 words per minute and still make sense out of what the speaker is
saying. This difference between our capacities to make sense out of words at the speed at which
they register in our critical centres can cause trouble.
Antidote: By periodically sprinkling in mental summaries during a conversation, we can
dramatically increase our listening ability and make speech-rate/ thought-rate difference work to
our advantage.
b) Information overload
– we are constantly bombarded with sights and sound bites, and
experts suggest that the amount of information competing for our attention is going to increase in
future. Incoming messages and information on computer fax machines, emails, earphones,
beepers and other technological devices can interrupt conversation and distract us from listening
to others. The amount of information coming to us on any given day wears us out.
Antidote/ strategy: self-awareness. Be on the alert for drifting information due to information
overload.
c) Receiver apprehension:
this is being fearful of misunderstanding or misinterpreting
information / the messages spoken by others or not being able to adjust psychologically to
messages expressed by others i.e. just being fearful of receiving new information and being able
to understand it.
If we are fearful or receiving information, we will remember less information.
Strategy: use a tape recorder to record a lecture, which may help you feel more comfortable and
less anxious trying to remember every point.
d) Shifting attention:
Research suggests that while women can multitask and attend to multiple
messages simultaneously, men tend to lock onto a message.
Implications
- Women should stop and focus on the messages of others rather than on internal or
external competing messages.
- Men may need to be sensitive to others who may want to speak to them, rather than
become fixated on their own internal message, or a singular external message such as
watching sports, a movie etc.

sharon kalunda answered the question on February 27, 2019 at 13:25

Next: State THREE barriers to listening.
Previous: State the importance of good public speaking skills

View More Communication Skills Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index

Describe the barriers of information processing

Answers

Exams With Marking Schemes

Related Questions