What is defensiveness in communication?

Defensive communication happens when a message triggers a sense of threat, and therefore defensiveness, on the part of the listener. Defensive communication involves not only the actual verbal message, but also body language, tone of voice and perceived meaning and intention as well.

What is defensiveness in communication barriers?

Defensiveness or premature assumptions By making assumptions about the speaker and the reasons that a conversation is taking place, the listener keeps him/herself from paying attention to the real message.

What is an example of defensiveness?

The definition of defensive is something designed to protect or secure, or being quick to defend against criticism or anticipating criticism or complaint. When a country builds up its army in preparation for an attack to secure its borders, this is an example of when it takes a defensive position.

What causes defensiveness in communication?

If you lack the skills to communicate in an assertive way, or feel anxious socially, this might translate into defensive behavior. A reaction to shame or guilt. If you are feeling guilty about something and someone else brings up a related topic, then you might respond in a defensive manner.

What is defensiveness?

Defensiveness is a coping strategy where we attack another person in order to shift focus away from our own faults and insecurities. The key to being less defensive in your relationships is learning how defensiveness really works and how to manage it in a healthy way.

What defensiveness mean?

Someone on the defensive is concerned with justifying their actions or words. They have a defensive attitude as they try to protect themselves. If you know that to defend is to protect, you have an idea what defensive means. When a person is acting defensive, they’re trying to protect or justify themselves.

What are defensive behaviors?

Defensive behaviors are a group of evolved responses to threat. They include flight, freezing, defensive threat, defensive attack, and risk assessment. The type of defensive behavior elicited in a particular situation depends on features of both the threat and the situation.

How can you communicate without defensiveness?

Ways To Communicate Without Being Defensive

Be Secure In Who You Are. You’re less likely to get defensive or hurt over something when you know for sure that it’s not true.
Stop Retaliating & Genuinely Listen.
Use “I” Statements.
Think Long-Term Instead Of Short-Term.
Learn How To Receive Criticism.
It’s OK To Be Wrong.

How does defensiveness affect communication?

Defensiveness creates inefficient and damaging communication in social interactions when people deny their flaws, project their flaws on others, or use judgmental communication techniques.

How do you manage defensiveness?

Strategies to Manage Your Defensiveness

Just listen.
Take three breaths before saying anything.
Reflect what you hear before you make any other statements.
Stand in your partner’s shoes.
Remember the tennis metaphor.
Accept responsibility.

How do you become defensive?

We’ve all received feedback that has stung or embarrassed us, making us feel defensive. And it’s normal to feel defensive….How to Not Be Defensive

Know your triggers and anticipate them.
Give it a name.
Assume good intentions.
Don’t take it personally.
Adopt a growth mindset.
Exercise self-compassion.

How should you act when defensive?

1. Defensiveness is an impulse. To be defensive is to react with an overprotective mentality so a situation that perhaps doesn’t warrant it. Defensiveness is an impulsive and reactive mode of responding to a situation or conversation.

How does defensive communication affect communication?

Defensive communication involves not only the actual verbal message, but also body language, tone of voice and perceived meaning and intention as well. As a person becomes more defensive, he or she becomes less and less able to perceive accurately the message and the motives of the speaker.

How do you negotiate with someone who is prone to defensive communication?

When engaging in negotiations with a person who is prone to defensive communication, it is often difficult to ask for changes that you desire. Use the following formula to minimize defensiveness and encourage successful communication when negotiating for change: Start the conversation in a non-defensive way.

What is defensiveness in a conversation?

Instead of understanding and listening, there is guilt, shame and fear of punishment. This is a sure-fire way to bring defensiveness into a conversation. Definition: This includes any comment that starts with an agreement and ends with disagreement, justifying their breach of agreement.

Is your defensiveness killing your relationships?

Your defensiveness is killing your relationships and you don’t even realize it. What? Me being defensive? I’m not defensive! YOU’RE the one that’s always defensive! That’s a classic defensive response to a piece of feedback. Throw up a wall, rebut the statement, and accuse the other person of the same complaint.