In verbal communications, interference such as anger, or an emotional state, can cause:

• A. A better understanding of the message
• B. Better feedback on the receiver's part
• C. Undue stress on the sender only
• D. The message to be misunderstood

Answer: (D)

Emotional interference distorts how a message is encoded and decoded in verbal communication. When anger or strong emotion is present, the sender may sound harsher or rush through words, while the listener’s own feelings color how they interpret the message. These distortions shift the intended meaning, making the message more likely to be misunderstood. This isn’t about improving understanding or getting better feedback; rather, emotion tends to hinder clarity and accuracy. The effect isn’t one-sided—the sender’s anger can trigger defensiveness in the listener, further increasing misinterpretation.