Barriers to Communication.
Purpose of Communication
The Purpose of communication is to get a definite response and an immediate response.
Any interference in the conveyance of message
from sender to receiver leads to a BARRIER
In COMMUNCATION.
Types of Barriers
Organizational Barriers
Intrapersonal Barriers
Semantic Barriers
Cultural Barriers
1. Organizational Barriers
Any interference created due to any EXTERNAL agencies
can be considered as
Organizational barriers.
It may be technical malfunction,
noise or defects in the system
of Organization
Technical Malfunction Defects in the device is purely external, and usually not within the control of individual engaged in communication. A partial failure of mechanical equipment is more dangerous then complete failure, as it
conveys incomplete or distorted message, which might cause the wrong action such adversities
are known as ‘Technical Malfunction/Barriers’.
Noise Even in face to face communication
without a microphone, the air may be disturbed by noise in the Environment.
Noises such as traffic, construction work or human sounds there is chances of distortion of message.
Organizations which can afford the sound proof rooms can overcome this barrier.
In factory, the word Communication is to be kept minimum because of the noise of machines.
Defects in System
Within the organization, orders
and information are passing through too many levels of
Authority. There is also distortion, as it is
edited, interpreted and explained
before being passed on to Authority.
Circulars, notices are not readed
carefully
2. Intrapersonal Barrier The communication occurs within the individual’s brain in a form of internal dialogue can be
considered as intrapersonal communication.
So, any interference created in an individual’s mind is called as intrapersonal barriers.
i.e when you feel hot your mind will respond “turn on the cooler”.
Types of Intrapersonal barriers:
Self centered Attitude
We want to see and hear everything in the light of our opinions, ideas and views.
We usually accept what agrees with our views, and rejects or forget what goes against our opinions.
The attitudes may come from religion, nationality, ideas of community to which one belong, place of living or family ideas.
Group Identification
Our values and opinions are influenced by the group to which we belong, we belong to so many group.
i.e family, city, Nationality, locality, club etc.
An idea which goes against the interests of the group may be intellectually understood but may be emotionally rejected.
Snap Reaction
A listener or reader may quickly or
prematurely respond to the message
because he/she is not tempered,
such reactions are called as “Snap
reactions”. These might cause because the
listener or reader is not either
understood or cannot convey the
message in correct cause.
Status Block
A “BOSS” usually does not accept any communication from any subordinates.
People in senior position often develop
the feeling that they know everything
about business. This barrier seems to be connected
with the feeling of “SUPERIORITY COMPLEX” which itself is one kin of barrier.
Closed Mind
Limited intellectual background, limited reading and narrow interests
cause a person’s mind to be narrow.
This limits his understanding of human nature and makes him incapable of receiving communication with sympathy.
Wrong Assumptions
Many barriers originates from wrong assumptions, it is because the sender or receiver does not have adequate knowledge about each other’s background or certain false notion.
A skilled communicator keeps these issues in mind to prevent them from becoming barrier.
Poor Communication Skill
Lack of skill in writing and speaking obviously prevents the sender from encoding his ideas properly so as to get across to his audience.
Apart from these poor linguistic capability also leads to a barrier in communication.
Both these skills can be developed by practice an training.
State Of Health
Physical condition can affect one’s efficiency both sender and receiver.
It is a common experience that a person in pain or fever is not interested in communication ,but even when there is no pain or fever, if the state of health is poor, communicating ability is reduced as mind is not that alert.
Information Overload Information overload occurs
when you try to absorb too much information over a short period of time.
If you try to study continuously for hours without a break, or introduce too many new concepts to your learning in one period of time, your mind will become confused and this can lead to a break down in communication.
3. Semantic Barrier Language is the most important tools of
communication. But, when interpreted in different manner
becomes barrier of communication. First of all, words have multiple meanings,
depends on listener to interpret it in same meaning sender wants to convey.
Apart from these tricky phrases are complex to interpret for an Individual.
These needs technical terms to describe process.
For example, a reference to random house dictionary the word “stall” has more than 25 meanings including technical meanings used for specialized activites.
Phrases such as “a red carpet and a blue carpet” means two carpets, while a red and blue carpet leads to one carpet of two colors.
That’s why it is said that “MEANINGS ARE IN PEOPLE AND NOT IN WORDS”.
4. Cultural Barriers Any language is the expression
of thoughts, feelings and experience in terms of cultural environment.
The same language when used in different cultures, takes a different colors and conveys in different manner.
Sometimes, we modify our language according to person to whom we are speaking.
There is a difference in the use of language according to person whom you are speaking .
There are formal talks, informal talks etc.
Language influences the behavior of a group and an individual due to his/her culture.
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