How can biases impact interpersonal communication?

Biases can significantly distort perceptions and lead to misunderstandings in interpersonal communication because they shape the way individuals interpret and respond to messages. When someone holds a bias, their preconceived notions influence how they perceive the intentions or feelings of others. This can result in misinterpretations of verbal and non-verbal cues, skewing the overall understanding of a conversation.

For example, if a person has a negative bias towards a particular group, they might misinterpret a neutral comment from someone belonging to that group as hostile or dismissive. As a result, communication can break down, and the intended message may not be received as it was meant. This distortion can create barriers to effective dialogue and can foster conflict or alienation between individuals.

In contrast, the other options suggest that biases either have no effect or positively influence communication, which underestimates the potentially harmful consequences biases can have on interactions. Acknowledging the influence of biases is crucial for fostering clearer and more effective communication.