This week we are talking about Defensiveness--another barrier to communication. What is the definition of defensiveness? Defensiveness is a self-protective, impulsive emotional response to feeling criticized or attacked in a situation or conversation. It is about denying responsibility, blaming others, making excuses and counter-attacking. Defensiveness is a barrier in communication as the main message is that “The problem isn’t me, it’s you.” Ways defensiveness can come out in: “You” statements Statements of “You have to, or You will” or “you shouldn’t feel that way” “Yes, but” statements Double messages