Overview
This lecture discusses the different types of communication barriers, their effects on effective communication, and provides examples to help identify each type.
Types of Communication Barriers
- Communication barriers prevent messages from reaching the intended recipient effectively and can occur at any stage.
- The five major classifications are: physical, semantic/language, social/psychological, cross-cultural, and organizational barriers.
Physical Barriers
- Physical barriers include natural or man-made obstacles like noise, distance, time differences, technical malfunctions, and information overload.
- Examples: loud surroundings, broken communication devices, poor office layout, and inadequate lighting.
Semantic and Language Barriers
- Also called linguistic barriers, these occur when language differences block understanding.
- Misunderstandings can arise from accents, dialects, homophones, homonyms, and homographs.
- Language disabilities such as stuttering and hearing loss also contribute.
Social and Psychological Barriers
- Factors include emotions, attitudes, perceptions, stress, fear, and status differences.
- Stereotyping, distrust, and closed-mindedness can interfere with communication.
- Example: lack of confidence or being intimidated by status.
Cross-Cultural Barriers
- Arise from different values, customs, etiquette, business practices, and non-verbal cues.
- Stereotyping and prejudice based on nationality, gender, religion, or age can block understanding.
- Non-verbal signs like gestures may have different meanings in different cultures.
Organizational Barriers
- Occur due to inefficient systems, unclear roles, poor supervision, lack of training or facilities, and complex hierarchies.
- Physical separation at work and filtered communication up or down the hierarchy contribute to confusion.
Example Activity: Identifying Barriers
- Lack of confidence — social/psychological barrier.
- Poor lighting — physical barrier.
- Not talking to superiors — organizational barrier.
- Differences in customs — cross-cultural barrier.
- Disagreements on word meanings — semantic/language barrier.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Communication Barrier — anything that prevents the effective flow of a message between sender and receiver.
- Semantic/Linguistic Barrier — obstacles caused by language differences or word meanings.
- Physical Barrier — tangible obstacles like noise, equipment failure, or distance.
- Social/Psychological Barrier — emotional or psychological factors that hinder communication.
- Cross-Cultural Barrier — misunderstandings arising from cultural differences.
- Organizational Barrier — structural or system-based obstacles within organizations.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the five communication barriers and examples.
- Reflect on strategies to overcome these barriers.
- Prepare for next lesson by observing communication barriers in daily interactions.