BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION
ERNEST MTONGA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson students should be able to:
1)Define a barrier.
2)Illustrate the barriers.
GROUP ACTIVITY
• Discuss different barriers of communication you
know.
• Present your findings
Definition of a barrier.
Refers to the interferences that hinder
communication to take place.
Obstructions that hinder communication to take
place.
Restrictions that hinder communication to take
place.
Disturbances that hinder communication to take
place.
Categories of barriers
a. General barriers
b. Psychological barriers
A. General barriers
Various barriers that affect the system and transfer
of communication.
B. Psychological barriers
This is noise within the mind.
Class activity – PLACEMART
a) You are given various barriers to communication
b) Place each barrier to where you think it belongs.
c) Say something about the barrier and why you
have placed it there.
General barriers
Distortion.
Wrong time or wrong place.
In adequate
Insufficient adjustment
communication skills.
period.
Language.
Paralanguage.
Physical noise.
Physical barriers.
Faulty equipment.
Poor internet connectivity
Psychological noise
Stereotyping.
Pre-judgment.
Selective hearing.
Prejudice.
Pre-conceptions.
Stress.
A. General barriers
• Barriers that exist in the sharing and receiving of
information.
Distortion
Refers to the way in which meaning of
communication is lost through the way.
For example, use jargons, information overload,
lack of interest or poor listening skills, incorrect or
incomplete messages.
Physical noise.
Refers to any disturbance while sending information,
e.g. noise from cars, machines, and people noise
around.
In adequate communication skills.
• Happens when a party fails to possess the
necessary communication skills.
• These include; Writing skills, listening skills,
presenting skills
Language.
When the sender sends a message in the
language that the receiver will not
understand.
Faulty equipment.
Arises where the equipment is damaged hence the
operation of the equipment interferes communication.
For example, mouth piece of a phone or speaker,
damaged printer, LCD of screen.
Wrong time or wrong place.
Usually, this barriers result to negative feedback.
Insufficient adjustment period.
Not giving enough time for the recipient to assimilate
the message and give feedback.
People respond to change in different ways, and they
require their own time to think about the full meaning,
implications, and consequences of the message.
Paralanguage.
Words or sounds that do not have a meaning
distract communication
For example, mmmm, aaaaaaa, yeahhhh, soooo,
….
Physical barriers.
Obstacles, objects in natural environment or
man made that prevent or block mobility or
access. Such as distance, objects, etc.
This looks at objects around you e.g. a student
seating behind a big desk.
Poor internet connectivity
• With the rise in digital communications,
technological issues such as poor internet
connectivity, outdated software or unfamiliar
tools can disrupt communications leading to
faulty work, failed message delivery, confusion,
and no progress in work.
ASSIGNMENT
• Discuss how psychological noise affect business
communication
MTONGAH July 5, 2025
26
THANK YOU END OF
PRESENTATION
