Describe a scenario in which the communication that occurs is both intentional and unintentional. Explain the difference between these types of messages.

What will be an ideal response?

- Intentional communication is a message purposely sent to a specific receiver. Unintentional communication is a message not intended or not intended for the individual who received it.
- This situation occurs every time someone reads more into a communication act than was intended by the source. For example, when a work supervisor frowns at everyone and generally speaks abruptly whenever anyone addresses her, the employees immediately begin to attribute meanings to her behavior. One worker may believe that the business has financial problems and his position is at risk. Another might believe that she has done something wrong and is going to face discipline for her behavior. A third person decides that the supervisor had an argument with her husband and is taking it out on everyone at work. In reality, the supervisor actually had a headache and did not intend to communicate anything negative about the job, but others read meaning into her behavior, whether intended or not.
- Student examples will vary.