Barriers of
Communication
When there is a problem which might cause our
communication to be distorted or problematic, it is
known as a barrier to effective communication. There
are 5 types of barriers to communication
• 1. Physical Barriers
• 2. Psychological Barriers
• 3. Semantic or Language Barriers
• 4. Organizational Barriers
Physical Barriers
Relates to the disturbance in immediate situation.
• Distance: – communication is found obstructed in long
distance. Like communication between America and
Nepal.
• Noise: – it is from external sources and affects the
communication process. Noise negatively affects the
accuracy.
Other Factors causing physical
barriers
• Defects in Media
• Distraction in environment
• Physical Disability (this is also under
“physiological barrier” which results to
receiver's physical state. e.i. sensory
dysfunction like reduced hearing)
How to overcome?
• Be updated to latest technology.
• Choosing suitable environment.
• Removing obstacle.
• Make signs easier to read, example, you could
supplement written signs with pictures and visual
signs.
• Use non-verbal cues. (facial expression or sign
laungauge.)
Psychological Barriers
The psychological state of the receiver will
influence how message is recieve.
• Perception: –it is the process of accepting and
interpreting the information by the receiver. People
receive things differently for a various number of
reasons.
• Filtering: – In this process, knowingly or unknowingly
some valuable information may be disposed.
• Emotions: –emotion also creates barriers to
effective communication like fear, anger, hate,
mistrust, jealousy etc.
• Viewpoints: - also creates barriers to effective
communication. If the receiver doesn’t clear the
message and ignore without hearing, the message
may create obstructions.
• Defensiveness: –if the receiver receives the
message as threat and interprets that message in
the same way, it creates barriers to effective
communication.
How to overcome?
• Start listening to others.
• Clarify if there is confusion.
• Stay calm and be positive.
Semantic Barriers (or language barriers)
The use of difficult and multiple use of languages, words,
figures, symbols create semantic barriers.
• Language: –A meaning sent by the sender can be quite
different from the meaning understood by the receiver.
Long and complex sentences create problem in
communication process.
• Jargons: –Technical or unfamiliar language creates barriers.
The message should be simple and condensed as far as
possible so that no confusion is created.
Other factors causing semantic
barriers
• Multi-language
• Region
• Inadequte vocabolary
• Interpreting differences
How to Overcome?
• Speak slowly and clearly.
• Ask for clarifcation.
• Frequently check for understanding.
• Be specific.
• Choose good communication medium.
Organizational Barriers
It is raised from the organizational goals, regulations,
structure and culture. These may exist in structures and
organization where there are inefficient or inappropriate
information system or channels, or where lack of understanding
of roles and activities for communication.
• Poor planning: – Refers to the designing, encoding, channel
selection and conflicting signals in the organization.
• Structure complexities:- Difficult organizational
structure is a barrier for free flow ofinformation.
• Status differences: –Superior provides information to
the subordinate about plans and policies. Different
information is provided by different subordinates who
create barrier in communication.
• Organizational distance:- Distance between sender and
receiver.
• Information overload: – If superior provides too much
information to the subordinate in short period receiver
suffers from information overload which creates barriers
to effectivecommunication.
• Timing: – Communication can be obstructed if the
information is not provided intime.
How to overcome?
• Employee orientation - always involve and inform your employees
within the organization's objectives, policies, procedures,
programmes, authority relations, etc.
• Improving interpersonal relations - develops mutuality in
organizations thus improve towards superiors and eiminate status
differerences.
• Communication through action
• Feedback
Thank you for listening!
