Being Misunderstood as a Person: The Role of Identity, Reappraisal, and Perspective-Taking. Issue 5 (19th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edwards, Renee
• Is Part Of: Southern communication journal. Volume 85:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 267
• Page End: 278
• Publication Date: 2020-10-19
• Subjects: Misunderstanding -- miscommunication -- social identity -- emotion regulation -- reappraisal -- perspective-taking -- interpretation of messages; Oral communication -- Periodicals; 302.224205
• DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2020.1803394
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1041-794X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Being misunderstood as a person occurs when an interaction partner communicates in a way that reveals a different view of one's identity than that held by the individual. Results of a study ( n = 282) revealed that both personal and social identities are misunderstood, with personality being misunderstood most frequently. Misunderstandings about religious beliefs are especially serious and negative. Reappraisal has a small effect on communication satisfaction while partner's perspective-taking has a more robust effect on communication satisfaction and emotion than the self's perspective-taking. As hypothesized, relational satisfaction was predicted by perspective-taking (especially the partner's), communication satisfaction, and the seriousness of the misunderstanding. A model of being misunderstood as a person is proposed.