ED.03, online seminar submitted to chitra teacher, Barriers to communication

 

ED:03

Online Assignment

    Barriers to Communication

      

 

                                                                          DIPIN R

                                                                                                                        PHYSICAL SCIENCE          

    Barriers to Communication 

                                      The word barrier means an obstacle , a hindrance or simply a problem that comes in a way of transmission of a message and blocks the process, either completely or partially.’These barriers can create obstacles in the communication process. These barriers are classified into the following types. 

1. Physical or  Environmental Barriers: 

The Barriers in the surrounding or in the environment are the physical barriers. 

2.  Language/Semantic or Linguistic Barriers:

 Barriers arising due to the different language or differences in language can create problems in   communication. Semantic Barriers means the problems arising because of the different meanings of the words. 

3. Psychological Barriers:

Barriers or problems arising due to the stress or psychological problems are psychological barriers. It is difficult to accept and overcome these barriers. 

4. Socio -Cultural Barriers: 

Due to differences in social status or cultural barriers many times.we face differences in   communication. These are socio-cultural barriers.

 

1.SemanticBarriers:

This denotes barriers of language and symbols and their interpretation. These barriers are from the  linguistic capability of the individual involved in the communication. The following are the different types of semantic barriers: 

i. Poor Quality of Message:      When a message is prepared, it must be consistent in all respects like–clarity, precision and usage of appropriate words to express the ‘idea’ to be transmitted. It should be in simple words,easily understood by the receiver.Otherwise it becomes non-specific and the receiver will have a difficulty in following it properly. 

ii.Faulty Transmission:               When message is received from the superior to the subordinate, the individual receiving it must be able to translate it to different    categories of subordinates having the constraints of  level of understanding and their IQ. It does    require proper interpretation of the message received to help disseminate the information to the   subordinates.

iii. Lack of Clarity: In all the messages, there are certain ideas, which need to be understood correcty. In other words, the meaning between the lines of the message must be well-perceived by the receiver.iv.Technical Language:It is often seen that technical language is used by   specialist persons in their communication.This may not be known by a common man. As far as possible, when communicating to common people,it must be in a simple language, common to all.

2. Psychological Barriers: In interpersonal communication, the psychological state of mind of the sender, as well as that of the receiver makes lot of difference. This creates an obstacle in normal communication leading to emotional barriers.Following are   psychological barriers: 

 i.Premature Evaluation:This premature evaluation is the possible outcome of message before it is transmitted to the receiver. 

ii.Inadequate Attention:Normally,in a communication this happens at the receiver’s end due to  carelessness and not listening properly what the person at the other end is telling. 

iii.Transmission Losses and Poor Retention:When communication passes through various hands and  levels in an organisation, the transmission of the message by various persons tends to be come in   accurate or corrupt. 

¡v. Lack of Trust in the Sender by the Receiver: When a communicator(sender) frequently alters the  original communication,the receiver at the other end will normally delay the action warranted by the message. 

v.Failure to Communicate: At times, the superior/manager fails to communicate the desired   information/order,etc.

 

3.Organisational Barriers: 

This depends upon the general organisational policy governing the communication network of the organisation.Such policy might be a written text explaining various aspects of communication. 

The barrier on this aspect is discussed below: 

i. Restrictions Imposed by Rules of Organisation: 

Normally,the information is to be passed to higher ups through proper channel. This gets delayed while passing through the hierarchical ladder.Instructions in general for passing messages must be given.Also,specific instructions for handling important messages need to be explained to all in order to avoid delays.

ii. Status/Hierarchical Positions Restrict the Flow of Communication: 

Status and/or position of an individual make a lot of difference in personal dealings.Superior/subordinate capacity informal organisational so prevents free flow of communication. This happens especially in case of upward communication. 

iii.Complex Situation of the Organisation: 

Large organisations, where there are a number of levels in managerial posts for communication may get distorted.This takes place due to censoring of the message when transmitted in the upward direction. 

     4.Personal Barriers: 

     These barriers are those,which occur in communication, according to personal      constraints at              various levels of organisation such as: 

i. Attitude of Superiors 

ii.Preoccupation of Superior iii.Lack of Confidence in Subordinate

 

iv.Lack of Awareness: 

v. Hesitation to Communicate: 

This happens to because with subordinates not to communicate with their superiors.Subordinates show unwillingness to convey the superior certain information; since such part of information may have an adverse effect on them. 

 5.Mechanical Barriers:Mechanical barriers are another group of factors putting barriers in the smooth flow of communication. They are: 

i.Inadequate Arrangement for Transmission of Message:The arrangements include proper coding and decoding facilities.This is normally carried out through coding machines and trained staff to operate such machines. 

     ii.Poor Office Layout:    A proper information center is a nines capable necessity to transmit the messages    with in the organisation and outside.Therefore,various types of information    transmitting through like wireless sets,radio communication system,electronic    machines- FAX,e-mail,etc.,are required. The infrastructural facilities to accommodate these

     systems are very essential for effective communication. 

iii.Defective Procedures and Practices:There must be defined procedures for docketing of incoming and outgoing messages properly maintained in an information center.

iv. Use of Wrong Medium: 

This is another barrier in mechanical communication.It is the responsibility of the sender of the message to select the right medium.This aspect needs to be decided by the sender himself at all times.