Barriers to

Communication
Group 4: Joseph Carl Maglinte
Nabil Mamoribid
Nayshajelba Maik
Rahiema Malang
 Objectives
Define Communication
Categories/Types of Communication
Communication Process
Barriers to Communication
Classification of Barriers to
Communication
Ways to Overcome Barriers to
Communication
What is Communication???
Art of transmitting knowledge,
ideas, information and
thoughts one person to another
Act of transferring information
from one person to another
Sending and receiving
information between two or
more people
What is Communication???

Process of sending and

receiving messages through
verbal or nonverbal means
including speech or oral
communication, writing or
written communication,
signs, signals, and behaviour.
Categories/Types of Communication

1. Spoken or Verbal Communication

- face to face, telephone, radio,
or television and other media
Categories/Types of Communication

2. Non-Verbal Communication

body language,
gestures, how
we dress or act
– even our
scent
Categories/Types of Communication

3. Written Communication
-letters, e-mails, books, magazine,
the internet or via other media
Categories/Types of Communication

4. Visualizations
- graphs and charts, maps, logos, and
other visualizations can communicate
messages
 The desired outcome or goal
of any communication
process is UNDERSTANDING.
Communication Process
- A message or communication is sent by the
sender through a communication channel to
a receiver, or to multiple receivers.
Communication Process
- Misunderstanding can occur at
any stage of communication
process.
Effective communication
involves minimizing potential
misunderstanding and
overcoming any barriers to
communication at each stage in
the communication process.
 Barriers to
Communication
 Barriers to
Communication

- Anything that hinders the

process of communication
- Can be defined as the aspects
or conditions that interfere
with effective exchange of
ideas or thoughts.
 Barriers to
Communication

- Difficulties involved in the

process of communication
which distort the message
being properly understand
by the receiver
 Classification of
Barriers to
Communication
1. Physical Barriers
2. Sematic and Language
Barriers
3. Socio-Psychological Barriers
4. Physiological Barriers
5. Organizational Barriers
6. Cross-Cultural Barriers
Physical Barriers

- Areoften due to the

nature of the
environment
 Physical Barriers
1.Faulty Organization
Structure
2. Noise
3. Time and Distance
4. Information Overload
Faulty Organizational Structure
Large working area
Closed office doors
Separate areas for people of
different status
It forbids team member from
effective interaction with each
other.
 Noise
Physical noise (outside disturbance)
Psychological noise(inattentiveness)
Written noise (bad
handwriting/typing)
Visual noise (late arrival of
employees)
Time and Distance
Improper Time
Defects in Medium of
communication
Network Facilities
Mechanical Breakdowns
Information Overload
Pilingup of tasks due to
improper time management.
Excess number of people
assigned for same task
Work overload/Information
duplication.
 SEMANTIC &
LANGUAGE
BARRIERS

Those who speak do not know

Those who know do not speak
- Random Japanese
 Semantics and Language
Barriers
semantics or “code noise”, occur
when the meaning of a message
to the sender differs from its
meanings to the recipient. Too
often, this may be the result of
“jargon”, involving pretentious
terminology or language specific
to a particular profession.
 Semantics and Language
Barriers
1. Similar Sounding Words –
HOMOPHONES
2. Words have multiple
pronunciation -
HOMOGRAPHS
3. Words have multiple meanings –
HOMONYMS
4. Denotation and Connotation
5. Jargons
SIMILAR SOUNDING WORDS

These words are known as

Homophones
Pronunciation
Spelling
Meaning
Examples:
pale/pail
alter/altar
buy/bye/by

WORDS HAVE MULTIPLE PRONUNCIATIONS

These words are known as

Homographs
Spelling
Pronunciation
Meaning

Examples
The bandage was wound around the wound.
We must polish the Polish furniture.
He could lead if he would get the lead out.
 WORDS HAVE MULTIPLE MEANING

These Words are also known as

Homonyms
Spelling
Pronunciation
Meaning
Examples
Never desert your friends in the desert.
Close the window before the bee gets too
close
 DENOTATIONS AND CONNOTATIONS

 Denotation: The literal meaning of a word

 Connotaions: The emotions and
associations connected to a word
◦ Favourable Connotation: 'honest', 'noble',
'sincere’
◦ Unfavourable Connotation: 'cowardly', 'slow',
'incompetent‘
Examples:
They gave us cheap stuff.
At this shop, they sell things cheap
 SOCIO-
PSYCHOLOGICAL
BARRIERS
 Socio-Psychological
Barriers
- can be described as the cause of
distorted communication
because of human psychology
problems
Socio-Psychological Barriers
1. Self-Centered Attitude
2.Group Identification
3.Selective Perception
4.Defensiveness
5.Filtering
6.Status Block
7. Resistance to Change
8.Close mind
9.Poor Communication Skill
Self-Centered Attitude
- We pay attention to message
which is useful or related to
us; if not for us then we do
not pay attention to that
message. The person who is
highly self-centered he fails to
build up good relation with
others.
Group Identification
- in organizations, our ideas,
suggestions and opinions are
influenced in some matters by
the group to which we belong
Selective Perception
- sometimes we fail to get the complete
message which is sent to us. After getting
that message we project our expectation
in to the communication as we explain
the message
Defensiveness
- If we feel threatened by a
message we become defensive
and respond in such ways that
reduce understanding
Filtering
- process of reducing the
details or unwanted things
of a message
Status Block
- status barriers in an
organization.The subordinate
cannot express his new ideas
to his manager due to
difference in status which
starts the barrier to effective
communication
Resistance to Change
- some people strongly resist
new ideas which are against
their established opinions or
traditions or social customs.
They may avoid the new ideas
because they feel insecure or
afraid of changes in methods
or situations.
Close mind
- seniors in an organization
are narrow minded people.
Some do not allow their
subordinates to perform well
and to implement ideas for
the growth of the
organization.
Poor communication skill
- Lack of skill in writing and in
speaking prevents a person from
framing the message properly.
Because of nervousness, the person
cannot converse orally with
audience. Because of excitement
about an achievement or new idea
may make a person speech
incoherent.
PHYSIOLOGICAL
BARRIERS
 Physiological Barriers
- may results from individuals
personal discomfort, caused by
ill health, poor eyesight or
hearing difficulties
Ex. Human health condition can
affect communication efficiency,
pain or fever certainly makes a
person disinclined to engage in
communication. Understanding is
low when the state of health is poor.
ORGANIZATIONAL
BARRIERS
 Organizational Barriers
- in an organization the management
sends information through circulars,
memorandums, notices, letters and
etc. Many of the employees may not
understand the lengthy messages, if
they ask the senior person, some will
never answer properly. In an
organization, some senior people
will not give much interest to this
circular and all.
 Organizational Barriers
1. Loss or distortion of messages as
they pass from one level to another
2. Filtering of information
according to one’s
understanding/interpretation
3. Messages not read completely or
not understood correctly
4. Deliberate withholding of
information from peers perceived as
rivals
 Organizational Barriers
5. Information gap if upper level
does not know the true state of affairs
6. Lack of communication policy
7. Authoritarian attitude of
management
8. Poorly defined authority and
responsibility
9. Too many levels in organization
structure
10. Insufficient communication
training
CROSS-CULTURAL
BARRIERS
CROSS-CULTURAL BARRIERS
- we communicate the way we
do because we are raised in a
particular culture and learn its
language, rules, and norms.
Different cultures may have
different rules and norms.
Understanding the other’s
culture facilitates cross-cultural
communication.
CROSS-CULTURAL BARRIERS
- Cultural conflicts lead to
discrimination toward or
against a person or a group
Ex. Gender discrimination,
racial discrimination, age
discrimination, language
discrimination, disability
discrimination
CONCLUSION
Ways To Overcome Barriers to
Communication
For Physical Barriers-
Appropriate Seating Arrangement
Ensure Visibility & Audibility
Environmental Comfort
Minimise Visual/Oral Distractions
For Semantic Barriers-
Use of Simple Language
Symbols & Charts
Active Listening/ Constructive feedback
For Socio-Psychological
Barriers-
Calling Attention & Motivation
Assistance & Sympathy

For Cross Cultural Barriers-

Understanding of Traditions &
Customs
Information of all Sides of Culture
For Organisational Barriers

Simple Organisational Structure

Avoiding Information Overload
Flexibility in Meeting Targets
Create a climate of trust and openness
Encourage the use of multiple
channels
The organizational structure should
fit communication needs
7 C’s of Effective Communication
(Cutlip 1972)

1. Clarity
2. Credibility
3. Content
4. Context
5. Continuity
6. Capability
7. Channels
THANK YOU!!