The Listenary

In Communication Theory, the Encoder always has filters through which the outgoing message will be screened, and perhaps distorted. These filters may be strictly personal or they may be shared among the community.
Attitudes
Beliefs
Culture
Decisions
Feelings
History
Ideas
Needs
Thoughts
Values, and
Wants

On the other end of the Communication Process, the Decoder always has his or her own filters through which the incoming message will be perceived, and perhaps distorted. These filters may be strictly personal or they may be shared among the community.
Attitudes
Beliefs
Culture
Decisions
Feelings
History
Ideas
Needs
Thoughts
Values, and
Wants

There are more filters than I listed here. Some are recognized, and others operate beneath the participants' awarenesses.

The first time I realized the many filters attached to the communication process, I was astonished that any communication ever gets through. This raised my respect for the process and for the need sometimes to continue in the process beyond the usual human patience level.