HOSA Human Growth and Development 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Congruence refers to the alignment between a person's feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, while biases involve preconceived notions that can impact how messages are conveyed and received. When congruence is lacking, or when biases are present, the intended message can become distorted. This means that what is being communicated may not match the sender's original intention, leading to misunderstandings.

For example, if a speaker feels nervous or insincere (lacking congruence), their body language and tone may not support their words, creating confusion for the listener. Similarly, biases such as stereotypes or prejudices can influence how a message is perceived, causing the listener to misinterpret the content based on their own preconceived beliefs. Therefore, the presence of incongruence or biases serves as a barrier to effective communication, making it essential to acknowledge and address these factors to ensure messages are accurately understood.