COMMUNICATION: BARRIERS

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

Communication is an effective tool to share information, ideas, thoughts, feeling, information etc. it is a complex process. Some time it is felt by the speaker that the listener does not understand his/her point clearly. This may be due to any interference or any disturbance during communication.

These interferences or disturbances are called barriers to communication. Barriers act like a sieve allowing only a part of message to filler through. That’s why desired response is not achieved.

RESULT OR CONSEQUENCES OF BARRIERS

a)    Barriers may hamper the smooth flow of effective communication.

b)    Barriers may emanate either from receiver or from sender or from circumstances.

c)     Barriers can make the communication process dull and uninteresting and bored. Barriers lead to confusion.

d)    Barriers can stop the desirable response coming to you.

e)    Barriers may sometimes lead to communication breakdown.

f)      Barriers may bring complications to the communication.

POSIBBLE REASONS OF BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

a)    Improper coding

b)    Wrong assumption

c)     varied perception

d)    categorical thinking

e)    by passing

f)      physical distraction

g)    psychological and emotional interference

h)    cultural differences

i)      noise

j)      poor listening skill

k)    negative tendencies etc

TYPES OF BARRIERS

1.    PHYSICAL BARRIERS

Physical barrier is the environmental and natural conditions that act as a barrier in communication. workspace design problems, technological problems and noise are the parts of physical barriers. 

2.    SEMANTIC BARRIERS

Different meanings of words and symbols create misunderstanding between senders and receiver which result in barriers to communication. The denotative and connotative meanings of words and symbols leads to confusion.

3.    PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS

The psychological barrier of communication is the influence of psychological state of the communicators (sender and receiver) which creates an obstacle for effective communication. The reasons of psychological barriers are-

4.    INTRA PERSONAL BARRIERS

 Barriers due to different experience, education, values and personality are called intrapersonal communication. These communication barriers arise from individuals' attitude and habits.

5.    INTERPERSONAL BARRIERS

Barriers due to inappropriate transaction of words between two or more people are called interpersonal barriers.

6.    ORGANIZATIONAL BARRIERS

Barriers which occur due to the functioning in an organization are called organizational barriers. Barriers are omnipresent; they are predominant in every organization irrespective of its size and communication technique. The rigid structure and closed climate check the free flow of communication in an environment.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO AVOID BARRIERS/ HOW TO REDUCE BARRIERS

1. Use common language

2. encode the message well
3. avoid physical barriers
4. use appropriate style
5. avoid negative or angry tone
6. avoid psychological barriers
7. be open, frank and positive
8. appreciate and understand cultural differences
9. listen and read carefully
10. avoid information overload
11. try to experience the world from the receiver’s perspective
12.knowledge of audience before communication