Comprehension: Do You Understand the Words That Are Coming Out of My Mouth

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit, property of Roger Birnbaum Productions and New Line Cinema, fair use

In the film Rush Hour (1998), Carter (played by Chris Tucker), whose native language is English, shouts when meeting his new partner Lee (played by Jackie Chan), whose native language is Cantonese, “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?”

For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines understanding as “the process of gaining insight about oneself or others or of comprehending the meaning or significance of something, such as a word, concept, argument, or event.” Got it?

Also, the APA defines comprehension as “the act or capability of understanding something, especially the meaning of a communication.” Whereas understanding regards a general grasp of a meaning, comprehension relates to a deeper grasp of a word, concept, argument, or event.

I initially laughed quite a bit at the Rush Hour scene, as I was living in Okinawa, Japan at the time, stationed on Camp Kinser, when working there on an enlistment from the United States Marine Corps. Many times, when speaking to Okinawans, I encountered misunderstanding.

When watching how Carter treated Lee, I comprehended my own ignorance (lack of knowledge, education, or awareness). Specifically, shouting English at Japanese speakers wasn’t helpful. In particular, there was misunderstanding due a language barrier, not regarding my tone of voice.

Then, not long after Rush Hour was released, electronic dance music (EDM) group Da Tekno Warriors released the extended play album Da Beat II (1999). It contained the hard house track “Do You Understand?” which featured a sample of Chris Tucker’s cited line. You with me?

It’s the sort of song one would likely hear at late ‘90s and early ‘00s raves—subjectively the best era of raving, although I admit my bias in this regard. In any event, I use comprehension and understanding when practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Do you follow?

Explicitly, when providing psychoeducational lessons on the ABC model and unconditional acceptance, I ask questions of clients to assess for comprehension and understanding, similar to asking, “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?” That make sense?

If something I’ve said is miscomprehended or misunderstood, I try to communicate in a more effective way. As an example, because of limited time in sessions with clients, I occasionally post client-specific posts within my blog to address words, concepts, arguments, or events.

Helpfully, non-clients are also privy to this anonymized information. Moreover, none of my blogposts are monetized, as I consider it personally immoral and unethical to charge people for material that may improve their level of functioning and quality of life. Savvy?

In closing, for my part, it was funny to hear Carter shout at Lee. Yet, it isn’t an effective method of communicating. Therefore, for improved understanding and comprehension, I invite you to try expressing words, concepts, arguments, or events in a more meaningful way. Comprende?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters. 

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

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