Barriers to Communication, About Barriers, Classification of Barriers, Overcome Barriers,

1. BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

2. BARRIERS
BARRIERS ARE INFLUENCING FACTORS WHICH IMPEDE OR
BREAKDOWNTHE CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATIONS LOOP.
They block,
Distort
or alter the information.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF BARRIERS
A. PERSONAL BARRIERS
1. Semantic Barriers - language barrier may manifest itself in the
form of misinterpretation of words, gestures, translation and
meaning of signs and symbols.
Words – Boot/Boot
Gestures- Nodding head left to right
Translation – Lift = elevator/escalator
Signs and symbols
Frames of Reference- UNION = ? For scientist/manager

4. 2. Psychological barriers – may arise due to attitudes , bias or closed
mind, emotions, perceptual variations, mental competencies, sensory
differences, tendencies to exaggerate and lack of listening skills.
•Attitude – if the listener feels superior to the speaker he will not the
complete message
•Bias- if you dislike the speaker you will not hear him out
•Heightened emotions – angry, happy, insecurity, worries, fear, sorrow
& shame
•Perceptual variations- Union
•Mental competency – could be due to age
•Sensory differences – blind person and colors
•Exaggeration – leading to distortion
•Listening – not simply hearing but assimilation , understanding and
retention
•Halo effect- subconscious evaluation of the source
CLASSIFICATION OF BARRIERS

5. 3. Cultural differences – Result of Geographical, Economical, Social,
Religious, Educational and Occupational factors.
CLASSIFICATION OF BARRIERS

6. B. ORGANIZTIONAL BARRIERS
1.Structural barriers - may arise through many levels in the
organization. Besides grapevine even the upward, downward and
horizontal communication may get filtered and distorted. May be
because of difference in status, lack of judgment regarding importance
of what has to be transmitted, personal bias leading to withholding
information or a superior acting as a self appointed censor.
2.Status effect - because of screening of information by some from
seniors. Fear of misinterpretation, distortion, exposure, criticism and
reprisal may also result or lead to a barrier in communication.
3.Filtration level – A supervisor/senior underestimating the
understanding and intelligence of subordinates may guard
information from them.
CLASSIFICATION OF BARRIERS

7. C. MECHANICAL BARRIERS
1.Technical impediments – faulty channel of communication or
noise in the channel act as a barrier. Also if chain of communication is
not being clearly defined.
2.Information overload- receiver has to process too much
information and cannot grasp due to limited attention span.
CLASSIFICATION OF BARRIERS

8. D. PHYSICAL BARRIERS
1. Due to geographical distances, proximity, noise, weather
disturbances, natural calamities etc.
2. Time pressures – hurried and shortened messages can lead to
confusion and ambiguity causing barriers.
3. Physical distractions – due to factory machines making a noise,
continuous telephone interruptions, people walking in and out
of the room, senders mannerisms like using hands to gesture
unnecessarily.
CLASSIFICATION OF BARRIERS

9. HOW TO OVERCOME BARRIERS
TO MAKE COMMUNICATION EFFECTIVE, BARRIERS MUST BE
IDENTIFIED, TAKEN COGNIZANCE OF AND OVERCOME BY
ENCOURAGING FEEDBACK.
• By general awareness of the importance of communications.
• Organizational facilities – free flow – proper climate –
confidence – openness- feedback – reward- performance
appraisal
• Interpersonal style
• Empathy
• Clear cut systems and procedures

10. HOW TO OVERCOME BARRIERS
TO MAKE COMMUNICATION EFFECTIVE, BARRIERS MUST BE
IDENTIFIED, TAKEN COGNIZANCE OF AND OVERCOME BY
ENCOURAGING FEEDBACK.
• By general awareness of the importance of communications.
• Organizational facilities – free flow – proper climate –
confidence – openness- feedback – reward- performance
appraisal
• Interpersonal style
• Empathy
• Clear cut systems and procedures