STRATEGIES TO

AVOID
COMMUNICATION
BREAKDOWN
Grade 11 – STEM / HUMMS / ABM
St. John / St. Andrew / St. Peter
 Communication Barriers
Rodgers (2017) presented key barriers that cause
communication breakdowns:
1.Lost in translation
2.The attention span
3.Too much information
4.Under pressure
 Specific Barriers to Communication
1. Language Barriers
2. Jargon
3. Psychological Barriers
4. Physiological Barriers
5. Physical Barrier
6. Attitudinal Barriers
7. Using generalizations and stereotypes
8. Jumping to an immediate conclusion
9. Dysfunctional feedbacks
10.Lacking the confidence
 Language Barriers
•Language and linguistic differences may become barriers to
communication.
•But it is not also a guarantee that when two people speak the same
language, they understand each other because if the receiver still does not
understand the words used in the message received, the words used may
act as a barrier.
•This goes to mean that even if people speak in the same language, but in
different jargon, still, there is a language barrier.
 Jargon
• It is a set of specialized vocabulary in a certain field.
Engineers have their own jargon that only people in their
profession understand.
• Doctors of Medicine have their own jargon that patients
may not understand. To avoid communication breakdown,
engineers, doctors, scientists have to use layman’s
vocabulary of simple words.
 Psychological Barriers
• The psychological condition of the receiver affects his/her message
reception of the message. For example, someone who is stressed or anxious
will not be as receptive to the message as compared to the one who is not
stressed.
• When we are at the peak of our anger, it is easy for us to say things that we
may later regret and we may also misinterpret what other people are saying.
• This anger becomes a psychological barrier. Thus, there is a need for us to
manage our stresses and our emotions at all costs should we want to avoid
communication barrier.
 Physiological Barriers
•It may emanate from the receiver's physical
condition.
•For example, a receiver with a defective hearing
may not be able to grasp the entirety of the spoken
words, especially with noisy surroundings.
 Physical Barrier
• Physical barriers refer to the geographic location between the
communicators. It is basically referring to the distance or
proximity between the sender and receiver.
• As said, communication is easy when communicators are within
short distances where there can be many options to use for
communication.
• Now that technology is widely used for communication, it is
equally important to know the best and the most appropriate
channel to use in overcoming communication barriers.
 Attitudinal Barriers
• Prejudices and other related biases are examples of attitudinal barriers.
These are behaviors or perceptions of any of the communicators that
hinder them from interacting effectively.
• Attitudinal barriers to communication may arise from personality
conflicts, poor management, and reluctance to change, or no motivation.
Effective listeners of messages should attempt to hurdle their own
attitudinal barriers to effect effective communication. Open-mindedness
and willingness to learn new things are vital in overcoming barriers.
 Language Using generalizations and stereotypes
• Speakers who make unqualified generalizations undermine
their own clarity and credibility. Be cautious not to get
holed in the habit of using stereotypes, or making
generalizations about complex systems or situations.
• Another form of generalization is "polarization" or
creating extremes. Try to be sensitive to the complexities
of situations, rather than viewing the world in black and
white.
 Jumping to an immediate conclusion
• Confusing details with inferences is a common factor. Do
not pretend you know the reasons behind events, or that
certain facts necessarily have certain meanings.
• Make sure you have all the information you can have, and
then talk clearly about the facts or interpretations you
attach to those.
• Making conclusions without proofs will create problems in
communication.
 Dysfunctional feedbacks
• Ignoring or not responding to a suggestion or query quickly
undermines effective communication. Interrupting others
while they are talking also creates a poor atmosphere for
communication.
• Even when a simple query is not addressed, or is being
blocked by something or someone else, or when the sender
himself is not sensitive to the reactions, comments,
suggestions or questions of his audience/receiver, chances
for communication breakdown are tremendous.
 Lacking the confidence
• Being shy, difficulty being assertive or low self-worth can
block your ability to express your needs and opinions known.
• Also, a lack of knowledge of your own rights and
opportunities in a given situation can prevent you from
telling your needs openly.
• In most cases, bullying and shaming by peers cause extreme
shyness among individuals which eventually leads to one’s
inability to express thus, fail to communicate. Students,
be assertive, know your rights, and develop your self-esteem!
 Effects of Communication Breakdown
• Loss of morale.
• Demotivation.
• Embarrassment.
• Anger.
• Tension among the team.
• Stress caused to individuals.
• Loss of clients, business and sales (or friends/relationships).
• Disorganization.
• Gossip.
 5 ways to resolve a comm breakdown
• 1. Observe.
•2. Options.
•3. Sharing is caring.
•4. Practice makes perfect.
•5. One Team, One Dream.
 How to resolve a comm breakdown
1. Active Listening.
2. 2. Use common language.
3. Give constructive response.
3. Focus on the issue, not the speaker.
4. Be genuine rather than control.
5. Empathize rather than remain alone.
6. Be patient towards others.
7. You have to promote yourself and your own experiences.
 Seven C’s of effective communication
1. Completeness. It is very important that that receiver gets to hear everything so that proper responses, reactions,
evaluation or feedback could be done. That is what complete communication is.
2. Conciseness. To be concise basically means, getting straight to the point. There should be no beating around the bush.
Thus, irrelevant or redundant information should be eliminated within the communication process.
3. Consideration. There is a need for the speaker to consider the receiver’s moods, status. Background, preference,
needs, and the like to build rapport with him/her. Once rapport is establish effective communication is possible.
4. Concreteness. When information is sent by the sender to the receiver is supported by facts, figures, and real-life
examples and situations, effective communication takes place.
5. Clarity. The use of simple, specific words in expressing ideas ensure clarity in communication.
6. Courtesy. Respecting the culture and beliefs of the receiver creates positive impact in the communication process.
7. Correctness. Credibility and effectiveness of the message can be achieved by eliminating grammatical errors in the
communication process.