Title: Oral Communication Information
Course: PIM: Tricky Communication: Intent vs. Impact

Humans make assumptions and have biases due to an evolutionary need to use prior knowledge for survival: If you knew a bear would eat you, then if you met up with a bear, you would use that knowledge to flee, fight, or freeze -- whatever would save you.

The messages that you receive daily from the media (who is shown or talked about and how) and from the people around you (e.g., how your friends or family talk about and act toward specific individuals or groups) build up a storehouse of "prior knowledge" that shapes your assumptions and biases.

It is hard to avoid all messages that lead to assumptions and biases, but it is possible to become aware of them so that you can prepare to counter them consciously when they arise. By countering them, you can avoid the unintended negative impacts they have on your communication.

The quiz below is designed to help you gain awareness of some possible internalized assumptions and biases and their impact. After it, there is a video that offers one analysis of the interaction and information you will need later.

Next steps:

1. Complete the quiz "Kyle and the Instructor."
2. Watch the video "Understanding Kyle and the Instructor."