LESSON 3_ BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

Question 1

What are the several factors that may affect flow of communication

Answer 1

Environmental
Technological
Organizational
Jargons
External Noise
Emotions
Distance
Personal Interests
Halo Effect
Misinterpretation
Fear
Stress
Status
Chain of command
Trust Issues
Negative Self Image

Question 2

Barriers have 5 main classifications

Answer 2

1. Physical Barriers
2. Semantic and Language Barriers
3. Socio-Psychological Barriers
4. Cross Cultural Barriers
5. Organizational Barriers

Question 3

**These are barriers to communication that are distractive to our senses, maybe our sense of sight, hearing or others.
**

Common examples of these are: faulty organizational structure, noise, time and distance, and, information overload

Answer 3

Physical Barriers

Question 4

Under Physical barrier

• Large working area
• CLosed office doors
• Separate areas for workers of different status
• It forbids team member from effective interaction with eachother

Answer 4

Faulty organizational structure

Question 5

Under Physical barrier

Physical noise (Outside disturbance)
Psychological noise (Inattentiveness)
Written noise (Bad handwriting/ typing)
Visual noise (Late arrival of employees)

Answer 5

Noise

Question 6

Under Physical barrier

• Improper time
• Defects in medium of communication
• Network Facilities
• Mechanical breakdowns

Answer 6

Time and Distance

Question 7

Under physical barrier

• Piling up of tasks due to improper time management
• Excess number of people assigned for the same task
• Work overload/ Information duplication

Answer 7

Information Overload

Question 8

Is defined as the study of meaning, signs and symbols used for communication. And, any alteration therein could cause blockage to the flow.

Answer 8

Semantics

Question 9

Under Semantics

Similar sounding words

Example pale/pail

Answer 9

Homophones

Question 10

Under Semantics

Words that have multiple pronounciation

Example: lead (To direct)/ lead (element)

Answer 10

Homographs

Question 11

Under Semantics

Words that have multiple meaning

Example: close/close

Answer 11

Homonyms

Question 12

Under Semantics

Literal and figurative meaning of the word

Example: Cheap (inexpensive/ cheap (substandard)

Answer 12

Denotation and Connotation

Question 13

Under Language barriers

Examples:
- A Chinese-national speaking in Mandarin to an
indigenous Filipino
- Hoarse voiced student delivering his valedictory
speech
- A lawyer mentioning legal terms to a medicalpractitioner
- Using vague or high-sounding words to impress people
and being too wordy

Answer 13

Language difference
No clarity in speech
Using jargons
Not being specific

Question 14

Under Socio- Psychological barrier

**Can be described as the cause of distorted communication because of human psychology problems.
**
This barrier is mainly caused by:
- Attitude and opinions
- Emotions
- Filtering and distortion of message
- Status difference
- In attention
- Closed mindedness
- Fields of experience

Aside from these, others include:
- Group identification
- Self-image
- Premature evaluation
- Distrust
- Poor retention

Answer 14

Psychological barrier

Question 15

Each and every country’s culture is unique and at times, a slight difference could lead to misunderstanding:

Examples are
- Language
- Values
- Social relation
- Concept of time
- Concept of space
- Gestures.

Answer 15

Cross- cultural barrier

Question 16

• Loss or distortion of messages as they pass from one level to another
• Filtering of information according to one’s understanding/interpretation
• Messages not read completely or not understood correctly
• Deliberate withholding of information from peers perceived as rivals
• Information gap if upper level does not know the true state of affairs
• Lack of communication policy
• Authoritarian attitude of management
• Poorly defined authority and responsibility
• Too many levels in organization structure
• Insufficient communication training

Answer 16

Organizational management barrier

Question 17

• Listening actively
• Selecting the appropriate channel for the message
• Making a special effort to understand each other’s perspective
• Practicing MBWA (Management by Walking Around) by those in managerial
  position

Answer 17

Overcoming communication barriers

Question 18

Under overcoming communicaiton barriers

❖ Plan Appropriate Seating Arrangement
❖ Ensure Visibility & Audibility
❖ Attain Environmental Comfort
❖ Minimize Visual/Oral Distractions

Answer 18

Overcoming physical barriers

Question 19

Under overcoming communicaiton barriers

❖Use of Simple Language
❖Maximize Symbols & Charts
❖Practice Active Listening/ Constructive
Feedback

Answer 19

Overcoming Semantic and Language barriers

Question 20

Under overcoming communicaiton barriers

❖ Call Attention & Motivate
❖ Assist & Sympathize

Answer 20

Overcoming Socio-psychological barriers

Question 21

Under overcoming communicaiton barriers

❖ Understand Traditions & Customs
❖ Be Informed of all Sides of Culture

Answer 21

Overcoming Cross- cultural barriers

Question 22

Under overcoming communicaiton barriers

➢Create a climate of trust and openness
➢ Develop and use formal information channels in all directions
➢ Encourage the use of multiple channels including formal and informal
communications
➢ Fit communication needs to the organizational structure should

❖ Adopt Simple Organizational Structure
❖ Avoid Information Overload
❖ Have Flexibility in Meeting Targets

Answer 22

Overcoming Organizational barriers