Understanding Misunderstandings: A Practical Guide to More Successful Human Interaction

By Robert L. Young

Book Overview

Have you ever meant one thing, but said another? Reacted angrily when no offense was intended? Wished that the earth would open up and swallow you? Understanding Misunderstandings will help you get out and stay out of these difficulties.

Robert L. Young explains why many common types of misunderstandings arise and how they can be avoided or corrected. In the first part of the book, he breaks the process of misunderstanding down into stages, showing how it can occur when we misspeak, mishear, misinterpret, or react in inappropriate ways. In the second part, he expertly analyzes the kinds of misunderstandings that can arise from differences in culture, social class, race and ethnicity, and gender. Real-life examples illustrate many of the problems and solutions he describes.

Because misunderstanding can destroy friendships and marriages, wreck careers, and lead to clashes between whole segments of society, understanding and diffusing it is of the utmost importance. This reader-friendly book provides the practical guidance to do just that. Educators, business people, psychologists, parents-in fact, everyone who interacts with other people-will benefit from it.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292796064
• ISBN13: 9780292796065
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

"There's No Misunderstanding This Book...."

"Understanding Misunderstandings" is a practical, yet theoretically grounded book which will assist you with better understanding human interaction, and more generally, human nature. Through use of various insightful examples and theory, Young does a great job explaining how misunderstandings can and do occur. From marital strife to culture clash, readers are provided with accounts of how conflict, or disagreements evolve, when, given a bit of thought, they could have easily been avoided. The information is nicely organized and presented in a manner that: (1) applies to just about everyone in society, and (2) is easy to read. While not necessarily a self-help book, "Understanding Misunderstandings" provides readers with tools for creating/updating their understanding of and appreciation for many forms of human behavior. Young does a wonderful job avoiding over-use, or over-dependence upon theory, yet recognizes its role in explaining human interaction. He also presents the material in a "reader friendly" manner, while avoiding the role of a "know it all" who lectures, or dictates. It is rare that you will read a book that simultaneously entertains and educates. However, "Understanding Misundertandings" does just that. While reading the text, I sometimes found my self thinking "yeah... I've had that happen to me...," while having read the book, I often find myself relating recent events to those that Young skillfully presented. As can be inferred, I strongly recommend this book to all who have an interest in better understanding human interaction.