Communication Barrier 1.define Communication Barrier
Communication Barrier 1.define Communication Barrier
COMMUNICATION BARRIER
1.Define Communication Barrier.
Communication barriers can be defined as the aspects or conditions that interfere with effective
exchange of ideas or thoughts.
A communication barrier is anything that prevents us from receiving and understanding the
messages others use to convey their information, ideas and thoughts. They can interfere with or
block the message you are trying to send.
2.Types of Communication Barrier.
Language Barriers
Language is one of the main barriers to the communication barrier. It is important that all
persons involved in the communication process should clearly understand the language used.
Language barriers arise when people are not able to understand the language used in
communication as different people have different linguistic skills.
Sometimes these barriers arise during encoding and decoding of the message into words. Use of
inappropriate words, different interpretations and faulty translations during the encoding-
decoding process leads to miscommunication among persons.
Psychological Barriers
The psychological and emotional factors of persons affect the communication process. It is
essential that both sender and receiver should be mentally fit and of sound mind while
communicating with each other.
Speech disorders, depression, phobia, emotional IQ of persons are very difficult to manage and
will affect the ease of communication process. It is important that a person communicating with
each other should be emotionally mature.
Physical Barrier
Physical barriers arise due to noises, faulty equipment, closed doors, closed cabins while
communication process. Geographical distance between the sender and receiver in the
communication process creates a physical barrier.
Communication is easy when the distance between them is shorter as more channels are
available. Modern technology and appropriate communication channels can help to avoid these
barriers.
Attitudinal Barrier
Attitudinal barriers are values, attitudes, perceptions and attitudes of people that affect the
communication. Problems with organisation staff, poor management, resistance to change and
lack of motivation among the people are factors which affect communication effectiveness.
Sender and receiver personal factors become barriers to communicating. Superior may think that
his authority might be adversely affected by particular communication and therefore he might
suppress such communication. Superiors will not ask for their subordinates advice they don’t
have confidence in their competency.
Cultural Barrier
People with different cultures and regions have different beliefs, values, beliefs and perceptions
as per their cultures. Different cultures have different meaning for society basic values like
dressing, religion, drink, food and general behaviour.
Therefore, it is quite important to take these cultural indifferences into account while
communicating with each other. To overcome the barriers to communication arising due to
culture, empathy is important. Empathy is simply sensing people’s feelings and attitude to
understand their cultural beliefs.
Environmental Barrier
Environmental barriers include certain environmental factors that affect the effectiveness of
communication. Only peoples are not responsible for barriers to communication. Many
environmental factors like situation or physical setting where communication takes place may
lead to blocking of messages in the communication process.