Barriers to Communication

• A barrier is defined as something that prevents or controls progress

or movement. This definition implies that a barrier is something that
comes in the way of the desired outcome.

• Communication is effective only if it creates the desired impact on

the receiver.

• There are numerous barriers associated with communication. These

need to be addressed in order to ensure that no gap occurs in the
communication cycle.
If a particular communication fails to evoke the desired
response, the following five steps can help solve the
problem:
• Identify the problem

• Find the cause/barrier

• Work on alternative solutions

• Opt for the best solution

• Follow up rigorously
 Noise
• The term communication barrier, or that which inhibits or distorts the
message, is an expansion of the concept of noise.

• Noise here does not mean sound, but a break or disturbance in the
communication process.

• If noise occurs because of technological factors, it is not too much of a

problem as it can be removed by correcting the technological faults.

• However, if the noise is due to human error, the parties involved in the
communication process need to take corrective measures
 • Noise is defined as any unplanned interference in the communication
environment, which affects the transmission of the message.

• Noise can be classified as channel and semantic.

(a) Channel noise is any interference in the mechanics of the medium
used to send a message.
(b) Whereas channel noise develops externally, semantic noise is
generated internally, resulting from errors in the message itself.
 Classification of Barriers
• According to the processes of message formation and delivery, we
can identify three types:

(i) Intrapersonal

(ii) Interpersonal

(iii) Organizational
 Intrapersonal Barriers
• Individuals are unique because of differences in perceptions, experiences,
education, culture, personality, etc.
• Each of us interprets the same information in different ways, as our thinking
varies. These differences lead to certain inbuilt or intrapersonal barriers.
• Let us explore all the common causes that lead to these intrapersonal
barriers:
(a) Wrong assumptions
(b) Varied perceptions
(c) Differing background
(d) Wrong inferences
(e) Blocked categories
(f) Categorical thinking
 Interpersonal Barriers
• Intrapersonal barriers stem from an individual’s attitudes or habits,
whereas interpersonal barriers occur due to the inappropriate
transaction of words between two or more people.

• The two broad categories into which these barriers can be classified
are:
(i) Inefficient communication skills
(ii) Negative aspect nurturing in the climate
 • The most common reasons for interpersonal barriers are:

(a) Limited vocabulary

(b) Incompatibility (clash) of verbal and non-verbal messages
(c) Emotional outburst
(d) Communication selectivity
(e) Cultural variations
(f) Poor listening skills
(g) Noise in the channel
 Organizational Barrier
• Communication barriers are not only limited to an individual or two people
but exist in entire organizations.
• Every organization, irrespective of its size, has its own communication
techniques, and each nurtures its own communication climate.
• In large organizations where the flow of information is downward, feedback
is not guaranteed.
• Organizations with a flat structure usually tend to have an intricately-knit
communication network.
• Irrespective of size, all organizations have communication policies which
describe the protocol to be followed.
• It is the structure and complexity of this protocol that usually causes
communication barriers.
The main organizational barriers are as follows:

• Too many transfer stations

• Fear of superiors
• Negative tendencies
• Use of inappropriate media
• Information overload
Thank You