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Barriers To Communication

The document outlines various barriers to effective communication, including physical, psychological, language, physiological, emotional, cultural, and gender barriers. Each type of barrier can hinder the clear exchange of information and understanding between individuals. Examples of these barriers in family and intercultural contexts illustrate their impact on daily communication.

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Yashita Jain
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44 views3 pages

Barriers To Communication

The document outlines various barriers to effective communication, including physical, psychological, language, physiological, emotional, cultural, and gender barriers. Each type of barrier can hinder the clear exchange of information and understanding between individuals. Examples of these barriers in family and intercultural contexts illustrate their impact on daily communication.

Uploaded by

Yashita Jain
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
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Barriers To Communication

Communication is defined as the process by which information is exchanged between


individuals through a system of signs, and symbols. The concept of communication involves
a sender, a message, and a recipient. Communication barriers can make effective
communication a challenge due to incorrect information being conveyed or
miscommunication between sender and receiver.
The following are the barriers to effective communication:
1. Physical Barriers-Physical barriers in communication refer to obstacles that hinder
the effective exchange of information due to tangible factors. These can also include
desk and office dividers, closed office doors, separate areas for people of different
statuses, and ‘team territories’ that others avoid.Another common issue is geographic
distance. Communication is usually easier over shorter distances where more direct
interaction is possible.
2. Psychological barriers- Psychological barriers can significantly impact
communication by affecting how messages are sent, received, and understood. These
barriers stem from the mental state of both the sender and the receiver and can create
obstacles to effective communication. One common psychological barrier is
premature evaluation. This occurs when a receiver jumps to conclusions about a
message before fully understanding it. Such premature judgments can lead to
misunderstandings, as the receiver may not grasp the intended meaning of the
message. Inadequate attention is another issue. If a receiver is not fully engaged
during the communication, they may miss key parts of the message, leading to
incomplete or incorrect understanding.
3. Language barriers-Language barriers, also known as semantic barriers, occur when
the message sent is not clearly understood by the receiver. These barriers often arise
from several factors:
Lack of Clarity: If a message is complex or unclear, it can be difficult for the
receiver to understand. For example, if a manager speaks English to a team that only
understands Bengali, confusion is likely to occur.
Technical Language: Using technical jargon or specialized terms can also create
barriers. If the receiver is not familiar with the technical language, they may struggle
to grasp the message, leading to misunderstandings.
Fluency Issues: When someone is not fluent in the language or doesn’t speak the
language being used, they might miss important parts of the message. In such cases,
it’s essential to arrange for translation services or other forms of support to
ensure effective communication.
Regional Differences: Even when both parties speak the same language, regional
slang or colloquialisms can confuse or be misunderstood. Using clear, straightforward
language helps avoid these issues and communicate effectively.
4. Physiological barriers- Physiological barriers in communication occur when
physical conditions prevent a clear exchange of messages. These barriers can affect
either the sender or receiver. For instance, individuals with dyslexia might struggle to
convey their ideas clearly, while those with nerve disorders may have difficulties with
speech or hearing.Another example is a receiver’s physical state, such as reduced
hearing ability. If someone has trouble hearing, they might miss parts of a
conversation, especially in noisy environments. Addressing these physiological
barriers to communication is essential to ensure effective communication.
5. Emotional barriers- Emotional communication barriers are the negative feelings we
acquire about certain people, places, and situations. Whether caused by bad
experiences or the influence of others, they evoke emotions such as fear and
mistrust that prevent effective interaction. Sometimes the barrier is simply fear of
what others think about us, which may come from being taught to ‘mind our Ps and
Qs’ or ‘never speak until you are spoken to’ when we were children. Although
caution is wise, excessive fear of what others think stunts development and inhibits
your ability to build better relationships.

6. Cultural barriers- To be accepted as a member of a group, we often need to adopt


patterns of behavior that the group perceives as a sign of belonging. For example,
honesty, openness, diligence, banter, or a sense of humor.
Cultural communication barriers arise if you don’t understand the group’s required
behavior patterns, which increases the risk of doing something its members frown
upon.

7. Gender barriers- Gender barriers to communication can still cause issues


occasionally, and are perhaps some of the subtlest to identify. They often arise when
someone has an oversimplified or stereotypical idea of how a gender behaves. This
can cause them to act in a way that impedes open, honest, and appropriate
communication with others. Gender barriers are closely linked to cultural barriers,
particularly differences in nationality and age group.

Examples of barriers to communication in our day-to-day life are-

1) Communication barriers in families often stem from emotional baggage or


generational gaps that can make daily conversation difficult. Every family shares a
different relationship that will affect the way communication is delivered and
received. Emotions always play a bigger role in these settings, making them more
difficult to navigate. Examples of family relationships can look like this:

 Not feeling comfortable in sharing their real thoughts and feelings

 A lack of knowledge or understanding of another's point of view

 Physical barriers like distance

 Technological barriers like a lack of knowledge on how to use instant messaging or


even time zone differences

2) Intercultural barriers can occur when interacting with people from different cultural
backgrounds, where even a simple gesture can be misinterpreted.

 Words that have different meanings and connotations

 Different body gestures that have different meanings


 Different cultural practices that don’t translate

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