Email Communication: How Bad Are We at It?

📧People overestimate their ability to communicate clearly in emails, leading to misinterpretation.

⏰The curse of knowledge leads senders to assume that recipients have the same background knowledge.

❗️Punctuation, such as full stops and ellipses, can be interpreted differently and influence the tone of an email.

🗣Negativity bias causes recipients to perceive emails as more negative than intended.

👵👶Generational differences can affect how punctuation is perceived, with younger people associating full stops with negativity.

Why do people misinterpret emails?

—The curse of knowledge and negativity bias play a role in misinterpreting emails. Senders may assume recipients have the same background knowledge, and recipients tend to perceive emails as more negative than intended.

How does punctuation affect email perception?

—Punctuation, such as full stops and ellipses, can influence the tone of an email. Younger people often associate full stops with negativity, while ellipses can be seen as passive-aggressive.

How can I improve email communication?

—Being aware of biases like the curse of knowledge and negativity bias can help improve email communication. Additionally, considering generational differences in punctuation perception can also be helpful.

Are there any studies on email communication?

—While there isn't extensive research on email communication, studies have shown that people tend to overestimate their ability to communicate clearly in emails, leading to misunderstanding.

Can email miscommunication be fixed?

—While it may not be possible to completely eliminate email miscommunication, being mindful of biases and practicing clear and concise communication can help minimize misunderstandings.

00:00Introduction to the issue of miscommunication in emails and the high volume of emails sent daily.

02:19The Tap Test study that revealed the curse of knowledge in communication and how it applies to emails.

05:59Discussion on how punctuation, such as full stops and ellipses, can influence email perception.

07:26The impact of generational differences on how punctuation is interpreted in emails.

07:00Conclusion highlighting the importance of being aware of biases and generational differences in email communication.