Scribd
Upload
64 views6 pages

Assignment - Barriers To Effective Commun

This document discusses barriers to effective communication in the criminal justice system. It identifies four main types of communication barriers: physical, emotional, ineffective listening, and semantic. These barriers can negatively impact communication, but can be overcome with practice. The document also outlines the communication process, distinguishing between listening and hearing. It describes formal and informal channels of communication used in criminal justice organizations and the importance of communication for proper functioning.

Uploaded by

Wajiihah Baureek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
64 views6 pages

Assignment - Barriers To Effective Commun

This document discusses barriers to effective communication in the criminal justice system. It identifies four main types of communication barriers: physical, emotional, ineffective listening, and semantic. These barriers can negatively impact communication, but can be overcome with practice. The document also outlines the communication process, distinguishing between listening and hearing. It describes formal and informal channels of communication used in criminal justice organizations and the importance of communication for proper functioning.

Uploaded by

Wajiihah Baureek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Barriers to Effective Communication Paper 1

Assignment: Barriers to Effective Communication Paper


Sharetta Stove
February 3,2014
CJA/304
Mrs. Heather Bushman Arambarri
Barriers to Effective Communication Paper 2

Communication is something that is a part of each individual’s life, however the


way in which each individual communicates is different and varies depending on
the situation. There are two main forms of communication and those forms are
verbal and nonverbal communication. When it comes to communication between
two individuals there is a difference between what he or she listens to and what
is actually heard during the conversation. When it comes to individuals within the
criminal justice organization there is both the use of informal and formal channels
of communication. An issue that normally arises when it comes to communication
in criminal justice is that there are many different barriers that make
communication difficult for some. However, there are strategies that can be used
to help overcome the communication barriers that are faced in the criminal justice
field.

There are two forms of communication verbal communication and nonverbal


communication. No matter which form of communication an individual is
partaking in he or she has to go through a process that will enable the receiver of
the message to understand what the message is. During the process an idea is
transmitted and is sent by a medium, which allows the other individual to receive
and understand the message. Then the individual that received the message will
respond to the sender of the message by providing feedback. The first step for
an individual to send someone a message is that he or she has to put together
the information that he or she wants to send to the receiver. Once the sender
knows the information that he or she wants to send he or she must either use
verbal or nonverbal communication to send the message. Verbal communication
is when the individual sends a message by speaking and nonverbal
communication is when the receiver sends a message by writing the message or
showing the message to the receiver. The sender can use either form of
communication or a mixture of both. The receiver of the message receiving the
message is the most important part of the communication process for the simple
fact that in order for the communication to be successful the sender has to
receive the message and be able to understand the message. The last step of
Barriers to Effective Communication Paper 3

the communication process is what allows the receiver to respond to the sender
by letting the receiver know that the receiver understands what the message that
was transmitted (Roberson & Wallace, 2009).

For those that do not know much about the communication process he or she
may believe that listening and hearing is the same thing however, they are
incorrect. In most forms of communication listening is what normally occurs.
Listening is when an individual is paying attention to the sender and being able to
process what the message is intended to be. Hearing on the other hand is just
when the person hears what is being said but is not focusing on what the
message is meant to be (Hatesohl & Lee, 1993). It is important for an individual
to listen when communication since just hearing is not completing the
communication process. Hearing is a trait that comes natural to human beings
however listening is something that is learned as babies grow into children and
adults. The process of learning to listen is different for each individual and at
different stages of life since each individual learns to comprehend at different
ages. Some individuals believe that as humans grow old they tend to lose their
listening skills (Hovatter. D. (2011).

When an individual is involved in a conversation with others there are two


forms of channels that he or she will use either formal or informal channels. By
using either formal or informal channels when communicating do so to allow the
message to flow from individual to individual-using different methods or avenues
of delivery. The first channel of communication is the formal channel. Formal
channels of communication are organized. When used among police
departments the communication is used as a chain of command directive and is
in the form of organization, order, and security. If formal channels of
communication are used correctly there is clarity, a paper trail, and provides the
same information with everyone that is involved. Formal channels. Formal
channels of communication is very important in the criminal justice system since
there is a large emphasis on procedures, testimonies, and court hearing. Without
formal channels the criminal justice system would crumble (Roberson & Wallace,
Barriers to Effective Communication Paper 4

2009).

The second channel of communication is an informal channel. An informal


channel in communication is when the communication comes through an
unofficial route such as hearing something through the grapevine or
departmental gossip. In the criminal justice system informal channels of
communication is considered to be gossip among individuals involved. Informal
channels are used with detectives in order to better communicate and gather
information that is needed for a case and to help maintain a positive attitude in
the department. Within a police department the lower ranking officers should be
the only individuals that use informal channels of communication (Roberson &
Wallace, 2009)

When someone is communicating there are different types of barriers that may
effect how someone communicates. There are four main types of communication
barriers, which are physical, emotional, and ineffective, listening, and semantic.
Barriers in communication are not good in any situation however they are more
problematic in the criminal justice system. If an individual has an emotional
barrier then communication is effected when the sender or receiver uses his or
her personal experiences and expectations while communicating. Physical
barriers for law enforcement officers make communication more difficult because
the officer speaks with the supervisor, which means other officers that are
involved in the case don’t know everything that is going on. Semantic barriers are
when someone does not understand a word so understanding a message
becomes difficult. The last barrier is when an individual does not listen effectively
because the receiver does not receive the message that is being transmitted
(Roberson & Wallace, 2009)

Since barriers effect how effective communication is it is important for


individuals to learn how to get over these barriers and the way to do this is to
practice. If an individual would like to get over an emotional barrier at work by
talking with their co-workers about situations before they get too bad off. If there
Barriers to Effective Communication Paper 5

is a physical barrier that must be overcame the best way to this is to do daily
checking with the supervisors. If an individual has a hard time with their
vocabulary they can practice new words and going over definitions daily will help
increase an individual’s vocabulary and helps him and her to have a better
understanding what the message is. In order for an ineffective listener to become
a better listener he or she should place themselves in different types of
environments in which they can learning to concentrate on listening (Roberson &
Wallace, 2009)

In conclusion, each individual uses communication in many different ways.


Sometimes an individual may use verbal or nonverbal communication in formal
or informal channels. In communication it is also important to know the difference
between listening and hearing. In any form of communication there may be
barriers that must be overcame in order for the communication process to be
successful. In the criminal justice system communication is a very important
aspect that allows each individual involved to be able to communicate efficiently.

 
Barriers to Effective Communication Paper 6

References

Hatesohl, D., & Lee, D. (1993). Listening: Out most used communication skill.
Retrieved from

http://www.examiner.com/article/effective-communication-criminal-justice-
process-components-and-various-types

Hovatter, D. (2011). Learn the difference between hearing and listening.


Retrieved fromhttp://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/555125/Learn-
the-difference-between-hearing-and-listening.html? nav=5152

Wallace, H. & Roberson, C. (2009). Written and interpersonal communication:


Methods for law enforcement (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Prentice Hall.

You might also like