Barriers to Communication

The elements that obstructs the free flow of information from sender to receiver are the barriers to communication. Broadly, these elements might be of two kinds : 1. Psychological 2. Physical These barriers may be due to the medium or environment., or due to the persons engaged in communication. The barriers may be such as the poor form of the communicated matter; the presence of distorting noise--- internal and external (i.e. an unsuitable mood, anxiety, distraction etc., and physical environmental disturbances--- interruptions, failure of mike or voice, some noisy activitya parking place, a crowded bus etc.); very different perspectives and sympathies addressed to the same issue; and the absence of a language well known to all the people participating in a conversation. Levels of barriers to communication As we send a message, barriers may appear at three levels : 1. Intrapersonal 2. Interpersonal 3. Organizational Intrapersonal Barriers Intrapersonal barriers exist within an individual. Everybody looks upon a situation according to his or her specific mindset, and interprets a message in the light of his background--- linguistic, or ideological; commercial interest, prejudices and so on. Interpersonal Barriers Interpersonal barriers arise between two parties because of noise in the medium, tendency to focus on selected parts of the message, divided attention and poor listening, and gaps of cultural and linguistic resources. Sometimes a communicator confuses us by using unintelligible gestures and language. Organizational Barriers Organizational barriers lie in the organization itself. Too many, unnecessary notices must be avoided. A message passing through too many messengers gets distorted. Fear of authority may suppress the voice of the staff. Biased groups within an organization may give a negative turn to communication