This document outlines different types of communication barriers: frame of reference barriers which occur when people have different backgrounds and perspectives; perceptual barriers which are internal barriers that cause misunderstanding; noise barriers, which are any distractions like physical noise, physiological states, or preconceptions; choice of medium barriers which can occur when the wrong channel is used; and feedback barriers which happen when the communication channel does not allow the receiver to respond. Frame of reference, perceptual and feedback barriers can lead to misunderstandings, while noise and choice of medium barriers can cause breakdowns in communication.

1. HKACX2A Unit 3:
Communication
Barriers

2. OUTLINE
 Introduction
 Frame of Reference Barriers
 Perceptual Barriers
 Noise Barriers
 Choice of Medium Barriers
 Feedback Barriers

3. What is Barriers?
A communication barrier can be defined as
any factor which hampers or prevents the
smooth flow of the message from the
sender to the receiver.
This may cause:
 Misunderstanding
 Breakdown in communication
between two parties.

4. People’s frames of references will never be the same.
This may lead to a breakdown in communication
Frame of reference barriers
A persons frame of reference can be seen as the
individual’s:
 cultural and educational background;
 attitudes;
 values;
 beliefs;
 physical attributes;
 age; and
 gender.

5. Perceptual Barriers
Internal Barriers within a person’s mind.
Communication problems: language employed by the
person with the perceptual barrier is often sarcastic,
dismissive or obtuse so the conversational partner is not
going to understand what the person is saying to them fully
and the person is not going to communicate anything of
substance with the conversational partner.

6. Noise Barriers
Noise is any kind of distortion or
distraction of the communication
process.
Types of noise:
 Physical noise - construction site
 Physiological noise - can’t think due to being
hungry, in pain
 Psychological noise – preconceived ideas
(stereotypes)

7. Choice of medium barriers
When you use the wrong medium, there
will be a breakdown in communication.
A message can be transmitted in a number of
ways, for example:
 telephone or cell phone;
 radio;
 television;
 internet.

8. Feedback Barriers
• When the receiver of a message responds to that
message, it is known as feedback.
• The success of the message in the
communication process is determined by
feedback.
• A barrier can occur when the choice of medium
does not allow for feedback.

9.  Anon. 2012. What is Physical Noise in Communication? http://computer-
networks.blurtit.com/q279799.html Date of access: 15 Feb. 2013.
 Cox, AC. 2012. Types of Noise in Communication.
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5217735_types-noise-communication.html
Date of access: 15 Feb. 2013.
 Roos, PG. 2017. Applied Communication Skills 2.1: VUT, Vaal Triangle
Campus. (Reader HKACX2A).
References