Creating Our Future with Organizations by Design

Interrupting occurs for a variety of reasons rooted in human communication dynamics. Often, interruptions stem from a strong desire to participate actively in a conversation, where individuals eagerly want to express their thoughts, contribute, or offer insights. Impatience, a sense of knowing what the speaker will say, or a belief that the conversation is moving too slowly can also prompt interruptions. In group settings, people may interrupt to vie for attention and assert themselves, while misunderstandings or anxiety may lead to well-intentioned interruptions to seek clarification or manage social discomfort. Cultural norms and power dynamics also play a role, with some cultures valuing more frequent interruptions or power imbalances influencing conversational dynamics. Ultimately, interruptions are a complex interplay of individual, cultural, and situational factors in our communication interactions. Interrupting someone during a conversation can have various psychological effects