Chapter 5 Creating and Using Meaning

Summary of Chapter 5 Creating and Using Meaning

Because people have different experiences in life and their reactions to those experiences are also different, so they have differences in interpretation that can often lead to miscommunication. While meaning is very difficult to describe, it is worthy of study in this chapter as understanding the way we gain, make, and interpret meaning can help us communicate more effectively.

Messages contain both intended and interpreted meaning. When they match, shared meaning is created. Meaning is a process of perception, organization, and interpretation and we also associate meaning with signs and symbols in order to help us share and communicate. Meaning is also derived from the several contexts in which our communication occurs. The different contexts which shape our understanding of what and event, action, or idea means are intrapersonal, personal history, cultural, interpersonal, and business context.

The relationship between words and the meanings we attach to them is semantics, which includes the meanings of concrete and abstract words. Depending on the context and the people involved in the interaction, these words can create misunderstanding. In addition, the message meaning can be either clear or confusing to the receiver by specific meaning or vague meaning, respectively.

People have different interpretations of the same words, messages, events or ideas based on their personal experience. Therefore, we should be careful in designing and using meaning to prevent misunderstanding communication.