We rarely make ourselves as clear as we think - and the consequences can be serious
Rather, speakers often talk in parallel, about related matters. So, we may often believe we've communicated clearly - when in fact, we haven’t. This is because our partner, rather than listening, was busing planned their own utterance
The article examines what’s known as the illusion of understanding — the gap between what we intend to say, what we actually say, and what others understand. Because conversation is fast, interactive, and often based on assumed shared context, we tend to overestimate how well we’ve been understood. That’s especially true in familiar settings or between people who know each other well.
Why does this matter?
Because the effects of miscommunication aren’t always trivial. In professional contexts, this illusion can lead to duplicated work, flawed decisions, or conflict. In healthcare or safety-critical environments, it can have far more serious consequences.
Corps and Meyer’s research reminds us that communication is not just about speaking - it’s about ensuring the message has landed, and been understood as intended. It calls for a more reflective, less automatic approach to how we interact, even in routine conversations.
We’re glad to see this work gaining wider attention - it’s as relevant today as it was in 2022.
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