Barriers to Communication

Barriers to communication

Definition

“Errors, misunderstandings and several other factors that prevent us transmit

our ideas meaningfully causing communication failure.”

Intrapersonal barriers stem from an individual’s attitude habits

Levels of Barriers to Communication

• according to the process of message formation and delivery• Intrapersonal• Interpersonal• Organizational

Intrapersonal Barriers

• mainly because of differences in experience, education, values, and personality

• interprets the same information in different ways as thinking varies

Common Causes

• Wrong Assumptions• Varied Perceptions• Deferring Backgrounds• Wrong Inferences• Impervious Categories• Categorical Thinking

Wrong Assumptions

• something that is accepted as true without question or proof

• Lack of adequate knowledge about each other’s backgrounds (sender/listener)

• Due to entertaining certain false notions which are fixed in mind

• speaker does not realize that background, education and experiences of different people can be different

• put yourself in the shoe of listener

Varied Perceptions

• how an individual perceives reality• all a matter of perceptions• step back and take a wider perspective

Differing Backgrounds• No two persons have a similar background• education, culture, language, environment,

age, sex, financial status • Our background plays a significant role in

interpretation of the message• which is not experience will be difficult to

interpret or appreciate• Empathy or identification with the listener is

the only solution

Wrong Inferences

What objects could cast these shadows?

What’s in the box?

Perspective influences your perception of reality

• Inference is the process of drawing a conclusion by applying heuristics (based on logic, statistics etc.) to observations or hypotheses

• Sometimes we fail to distinguish between what actually exist and what we assume to exist.

• wide scope for gossip and rumour to grow or develop

• Inferences supported by facts are essential for professionals when they analyse material, solve problems and plan procedures.

Impervious Categories

• we react positively to information only if it is in consonance with our own views and attitudes

• does not confirm to our personal views, habits, attitudes, or appears unfavourable to us, we tend to react negatively or even disbelieve.

• Rejection, distortion, and avoidance are three common, undesirable and negative reactions

What’s The Problem? That’s impossible!

Make this equation read correctly without touching anything.

Want new insights?Get out of your box.

Change your perspective.

Categorical Thinking

• ‘know it all’ - pansophists• who believes that he/she has an accurate

comprehension of a topic and/or situation when in reality; his/her comprehension is inaccurate and limited

• refuses to accept any further information on the topic

Conclusion

To sum up, good communication should:• Be non-judgmental• Be empathetic• Not assume anything• Stick to the subject• Listen and above all paraphrase

Interpersonal Barriers to Communication

• interpersonal barriers occur due to the inappropriate transaction of words between two or more people.

• The two broad categories into which this barrier can be classified are:

1. Inefficiency in communication skills

2. Negative aspect nurturing in the climate• Interpersonal barriers creep as a result of the

limitations in the communication skills of encoder or decoder or both.

• they also may occur due to some disturbance in the channel.

Most Common Reasons for Interpersonal Barriers

• Limited Vocabulary• Incongruity between Verbal & Non-verbal

messages• Emotional Outbursts• Communication Selectivity• Cultural Variations• Poor Listening Skills• Noise in the Channel

Limited Vocabulary

• inadequate vocabulary - a major hindrance in communication

• connotative and denotative (suggestive) meanings of the words.

• loss of words – ineffective communication - leaves a poor impression on the audience

• Way of using words

Incongruity between Verbal & Non-verbal messages

• Incongruity means a lack of harmony

• Verbal – vocal discrepancy • communication leaves the

listeners feeling confused and puzzled

Emotional Outburst

• An integral part of our being• by sharpening self-awareness, intuition, and

empathy, emotions help in communication• a moderate level of emotional involvement

intensifies communication• intensive emotional involvement - obstacle in

communication

Communication Selectivity

• If a receiver in communication process pays attention only to a part of the message which may be of use to him, he imposes a barrier to communication known as communication selectivity.

• Here, in this situation, sender is not at fault, it is the receiver who breaks the flaw of communication.

Cultural Variations

• predominant factors in communication failure• in-group and the out-group• arising from different languages and culture.

Poor Listening Skills

• The common obstacle to communication• occurs due to lack of control over the speed at

which speakers speak• the listener's limited vocabulary• failure to recognize the "signals”• problems of interpretation• inability to concentrate

Noise in the Channel

• any unwanted signal which acts as a hindrance in the flaw of communication

• Noise interferes greatly in the transmission of signals

• not necessarily limited to cacophony - may be in visual, audio-visual, written, physical or psychological forms

• Technical or physical noise refers to the din of machines

• the blare of music from a stereo system• Human noise • Disturbances in telephone lines• poorly designed acoustics of a room• dim typescripts • illegible writing

are some more examples of technical noise

Organizational Barriers to Communication

• Every organization, irrespective of its size, has its own communication techniques, and each nurtures its own communication climate.

• Irrespective of size, all organizations have communication policies which describe the protocol to be followed.

• It is the structure and complexity of this protocol that usually causes communication barriers

Causes for Organizational Barriers

The major causes for organizational barriers are as follows:

• Too Many Transfer Stations• Fear of Superiors• Negative Tendencies• Use of Inappropriate Media• Information Overload