Interrupting others when they are talking can reveal personality traits or communication problems.
You probably know someone who won’t let you finish a sentence before jumping into a conversation. While this may sometimes seem like a simple lack of manners, psychology explains that constant interruptions have a more complex basis.
According to psychology, what does it mean when a person constantly interrupts conversations?
According to experts, a variety of factors can lead to this behaviour. Some people interrupt because they are anxious, impulsive or need validation, while others are simply unaware of their habit.
The most common reasons why someone interrupts are:
- Impulsivity: People who act without thinking, often because of disorders such as ADHD.
- Social anxiety: Fear of not being heard or of losing the topic of conversation.
- Ego or narcissism: the belief that one’s own opinion is more important than what others say.
- Over-enthusiasm: unintentional interruption out of excitement or impatience.
- Lack of social skills: inability to recognise the flow of a conversation.
Although this behaviour can be annoying, in many cases it can be corrected through active listening and self-monitoring techniques. Learning to be aware of one’s own behaviour helps to improve communication with others.
