Question

Shane attended the Mayor's speech about parking rate increases, while Mary listened to the speech on the radio. Later, Mary said she thought the Mayor's words stated clearly that he opposed an increase in parking rates. But Shane said that the way the Mayor avoided looking at his constituents when he talked about parking made it seem he actually supported an increase in parking rates. The difference in the messages Mary and Shane received most likely resulted from the fact that __________.

Answer 1

Answer:

The difference in the messages Mary and Shane received most likely resulted from the fact that Mary and Shane received the message through different channels.

Explanation:

There are essentially three types of communication: verbal, written, and nonverbal. They can be broken down into different channels. For instance, verbal communication can take place in person or through the phone.

In Mary and Shane's case, they both had access to verbal communication via different channels. Shane was there listening to the Mayor in person while Mary listened to the speech on the radio. That in itself might not have provoked different opinions in both listeners. But Shane was also given access to nonverbal communication. That is why he said, "the way the Mayor avoided looking at his constituents" is what made him think the Mayor supported an increase in rates. Eye contact is one of the channels for nonverbal communication. Since Mary did not have access to it, she could not have known better. Receiving the message through different channels is what caused the difference in interpretation by Mary and Shane.