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Communication Barriers

The document discusses barriers to effective communication, including physical, linguistic, cultural and psychological barriers. Physical barriers include distance and walls that prevent clear transmission of messages. Linguistic barriers include differences in languages or meanings of words. Cultural barriers relate to differences in concepts of time, etiquette and body language across cultures. Psychological barriers involve mental states like lack of attention, distrust, perceptions and emotions.

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Christi Garcia Rebucias
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56 views23 pages

Communication Barriers

The document discusses barriers to effective communication, including physical, linguistic, cultural and psychological barriers. Physical barriers include distance and walls that prevent clear transmission of messages. Linguistic barriers include differences in languages or meanings of words. Cultural barriers relate to differences in concepts of time, etiquette and body language across cultures. Psychological barriers involve mental states like lack of attention, distrust, perceptions and emotions.

Uploaded by

Christi Garcia Rebucias
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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OBJECTIVES:

• define the concept of communication breakdown;


• identify the different kinds of barriers to effective
communication;
• explain why there is a breakdown of communication; and
• apply strategies to avoid communication breakdowns.
Using the table below, describe four types of people you had communicated with in your
community. For each person you identified, include a description of the situation, and
the ways you communicated with each of them.

TYPE OF PERSON SITUATION COMMUNICATION


METHOD USED
Effective communication requires messages to be
conveyed clearly between communicators, but along
the way there are many communication barriers that
lead to communication breakdowns. To become an
effective communicator, you should recognize these
barriers that hinder the communication process
PHYSICAL BARRIER

• It is the environmental and natural


condition that act as a barrier in
communication in sending message
from sender to receiver.

• When messages are sent by the sender, physical barriers like doors,
walls, distance, etc. do not let the communication become effective.
The barriers are less if the proximity of the sender and the receiver
is high and less technologies are required.
LINGUISTIC BARRIER
This arises due to differences in languages,
words meaning or pronunciation

EXAMPLES:

• Different languages or lack of common language can create


obstacles in communication. A person who does not understand the
native language or cannot even communicate well of a certain
language can become a very difficult situation.
• Multiplicity of words - word power
is gift to human beings but with the
multiple meanings or spellings of the
words, it can create problems in
communication.

• Words with similar pronunciation


but different meaning [homophones]
also create problems in communication.
For example, except-accept, fair-fare,
council-counsel, principal-principle,
etc.
• Jargons refer to the technical words used by
professionals such as engineers/doctors or any
other professionals. Many times, jargon words
are used unintentionally, but common people or
those who do not understand the meaning of
these words face problems.

• By-passed instructions which means using many short cuts while


passing the messages. For example, a manager ordered the newly
appointed secretary to go and burn the C.D. She literally burned it.
He meant to copy the C.D.
CULTURAL BARRIER

refers to the way a person


responds in a communication
situation affected by personal
norms and traditions
EXAMPLES:
• Concept of Time: Time is not perceived similarly across cultures. In Western
culture, time is important. In Asian culture, time is taken leisurely. The concept
of punctuality differs in cultures.
• Etiquettes and Mannerisms:
In every society or culture,
different types of mannerisms
are observed. This includes rule
of behaviors or how to follow
certain code of conduct.
Different forms of address and
salutation or different methods
of dressing [formal or informal
wearing] are observed. This can
be confusing sometimes.
Food preparation
method or serving
methods are not the
same. There are certain
expected norms of
eating food in meeting.
These are called dining
etiquettes.
• Body Language [non-verbal behavior]
methods around the world are not the same.
• Proximity [concept of space] differs from culture to culture. In some culture,
close distance between people is not approved. In some culture, close distance
is accepted.
PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER
Communication is highly
influenced by the mental
condition that the
communicators are in and is
disturbed by mental disturbance.
If the people involved in
communication are not
emotionally well, they will not
be able to communicate properly
• Lack of Attention - When a person’s mind is
distracted or preoccupied with other things, the
person is not able to form proper message, listen
to what others tell him/her, interpret the message
as required and give proper feedback. The
communication will face problems and becomes
ineffective.
• Distrust and Defensiveness - Communication is
successful when the communicators trust each other.
Lack of trust makes them derive negative meaning of the
message and they ignore the message. When a person
tries to force his/her own ideas and opinions, then
receiver does not listen. If the receiver does not agree to
the message provided or thinks of it as a threat, he/she
will not listen to it
Perception, Viewpoint, Attitudes and Opinions
Perception is the mindset using which people judge, understand and
interpret everything. Each person has his/he own perception of reality
which is shaped from mental and sensory experiences.

Likewise, viewpoint is also a mindset to look at the world. Sender might


have a particular viewpoint that is not shared by the receiver. The sender
does not explain the viewpoint but takes the viewpoint as granted. The
message is not understood by the receiver as must have been understood,
creating a barrier to effective communication.

Attitude is the established way in which we think and feel about things and
ideas which also creates a psychological communication barrier
Emotions
Various other emotions like fear, nervousness, confusion, mistrust and jealousy
affect communication process. For example, a person having extreme moods of
happiness will laugh at anything at all said to him/her. The same person when
sad will cry or get angry at insignificant situations.

Closed Mind and Filtering


Man is selfish by nature and put his own needs and problems above all else. This sometimes
leads people to filter information that someone is trying to convey to them. This might be due
to mistrust, competition, jealousy, or the view that the message is insignificant.

For example, a sexist person does not accept the suggestions of a female colleague in a
meeting that affects the communication flow in the meeting. It is difficult to argue with such
close-minded people and give proper information.

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