Communication Studies

The Communication Process

COMMUNICATION BARRIERS AND
FACILITATORS
❖ Whatever affects the understanding of a message is known as BARRIER. BARRIERS are
also referred to as NOISE.

❖ NOISE is anything that detracts from the message and prevents effective
communication.

❖ NOISE MAY OCCUR AT ANY STAGE OF THE THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS...IE the
sender, channel, receiver
BARRIERS CONT’D
… From the sender, can be

1. Sender’s attitude
2. Prejudice
3. Language used eg….?
4. The use of jargon. Over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical
terms.
5. Emotional barriers and taboos
6. Disability….Speech difficulties eg…?
8. Expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or
stereotyping. People often hear what they expect to hear rather than what is actually
said and jump to incorrect conclusions.

9. Cultural differences. The norms of social interaction vary greatly in different

cultures, as do the way in which emotions are expressed. For example, the concept of
personal space varies between cultures and between different social settings
NOISE on the CHANNEL
1. Literal noise in the background
2. Wrong electronic device
3. Speech impediment or lack of clarity
4. Ambiguities in the message
NOISE from the receiver
1. Lack of interest/attention, irrelevance-attitude
2. Experience
3. Age
4. Profession
5. Difference in viewpoint
6. Physical disability…?
7. Physical barriers to nonverbal communication
8. Expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or stereotyping
Barriers Cont’d

These barriers can be broken down under the following headings:

1. Language Barriers

2. Psychological Barriers/Emotional

3. Physiological Barriers/ Disabilities

4. Physical Barriers
5. GENDER

6. CULTURAL
FACILITATORS OF COMMUNICATION
A FACILITATOR is anything that aids in the passing of information and therefore
facilitates mutual understanding.

➔ Eg. using the appropriate language

➔ An effective medium
➔ Selecting an appropriate channel
➔ Using additional prompts such as visual aids
Communication can be both effective or ineffective.

In effective communication, both the sender and the understand the message in
the same way.
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
This is the passing of information, consciously or unconsciously, through written,
spoken or symbolic forms.
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
THIS INVOLVES BOTH WRITTEN AND SPOKEN FORMS OF COMMUNICATION.-
TALKING

DSSSA
TEXTING/

TALKING SPEECH
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Refers all forms of communication done without words. These include physical
gestures, art forms and symbols.
Signals stop Happiness, approval
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
This is the passing of information, consciously or unconsciously, through written,
spoken or symbolic forms.
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
THIS INVOLVES BOTH WRITTEN AND SPOKEN FORMS OF COMMUNICATION.-
TALKING

DSSSA
TEXTING/

TALKING SPEECH
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Refers all forms of communication done without words. These include physical
gestures, art forms and symbols.
Signals stop Happiness, approval
Categories of Non-Verbal Communication
❖ Body Language
❖ Proxemics
❖ Kinesics
❖ Chronemics
❖ Dress
❖ Graphics and Symbols
❖ Paralanguage
Categories of Non-Verbal Communication
❖ Body Language
❖ Proxemics
❖ Kinesics
❖ Chronemics
❖ Dress
❖ Graphics and Symbols
❖ Paralanguage