Communication Barriers

1. BARRIERS OF
COMMUNICATION
Mahrukh Shehzadai

2. • Communication is the answer to the success of and if there are
barriers to its effectiveness, there will be frustration.
Communication barriers can arise at every stage of the
communication process that is from the sender, the message,
the channel, the receiver, the feedback and the context.

3. • “A barrier to communication is something that keeps
meanings from meeting. Meaning barriers exist between all
people, making communication much more difficult than
most people seem to realize. It is false to assume that if one
can talk he can communicate. Because so much of our
education misleads people into thinking that communication
is easier than it is, they become discouraged and give up
when they run into difficulty. Because they do not
understand the nature of the problem, they do not know
what to do”. Reuel Howe, theologian and educator

4. PHYSICAL BARRIERS
• They are the most obvious barriers to effective communication.
Physical barriers are often due to the nature of the environment.
Example poor or outdated equipment, distractions, noise, poor
lighting etc
• An example of a physical barrier to communication is geographic
distance between the sender and receiver(s). Communication is
generally easier over shorter distances as more communication
channels are available and less technology is required.

5. • There have been classification of Physical barriers as follows:
a) Time
b) Space
c) Place
d) Medium
e) Noise

6. ATTITUDINAL BARRIERS
• A common cause of communication breakdown in a workplace
situation is people holding different attitudes, values and
discrimination. An example of this is differing perceptions people
have of power and status. Some people may think that they
should treat people or be treated differently based on what they
perceive as their status or power within a workplace or in the
community

7. • Certain people like to be left alone. They are the introvert or just
people who are not very social.
• Effective communication is necessary no matter what level or
position you occupy. If you feel someone is trying to exert power or
control over you, communicate this to them. Discrimination arises
when people make judgments about individuals or groups
without thinking clearly

8. CULTURAL BARRIERS
• Communication also takes place between people belonging to
different nationalities, religions, castes, creeds, races,
ethnicities etc. in other words, when two persons are
communicating with each other, there may be differences in
their cultural backgrounds. Stereotypical assumptions can
cause misunderstandings.

9. PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS
• In the process of communication, it is vital to understand each
other’s mindset and mental capacity; this applies in every case
whether it is a friends conversation or a conversation between the
employer and an employee. If someone is communicating with
the other individual or a group of individuals with an attitude of
disinterest or unwillingness then the process of communication
will not be effective

10. • There are various mental and psychological issues that may
be barriers to effective communication. Some people have
stage fear, speech disorders, phobia, depression etc. All of
these conditions are very difficult to manage sometimes and
will most certainly limit the ease of communication.

11. EMOTIONAL BARRIERS
• At times it happens that people do not develop interest in
communicating with their fellow employees due to the feelings of
fear, mistrust, anger or annoyance, that may arise within their
minds and these are stated to be emotional barriers.
• The emotional IQ of a person determines the ease and comfort with
which they can communicate. A person who is emotionally mature
will be able to communicate effectively.

12. LANGUAGE BARRIERS
• Language barriers occur when people do not speak the same
language, or do not have the same level of ability in a
language. However, barriers can also occur when people are
speaking the same language. Sometimes barriers occur when
we use inappropriate levels of language or we use jargon
which is not understood by one or more of the people
communicating.

13. GENDER BARRIERS
• Gender barriers to communication can incite problems at
home and in the workplace. Societal stereotypes,
assumed gender roles, and interpersonal differences can
contribute to a communication gap between genders.
• Men and women have assigned roles in society that intensify
to the gender divide; it is important to remember, however,
that not all men and women fit into a labeled category