Type of Barriers to Communication

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Dr.S.NAGALINGAM,

M.Com., M.Phil., P.G.D.C.A., Ph.D.,

Assistant Professor,

PG & Research Department of Commerce,

Cardamom Planters’ Association College,

Bodinayakanur.

�Type of Barriers to Communication�

Meaning

Barriers to communication are things that get in the way of a message being received. They could be physical, such as loud music playing, or emotional, such as when a person is too angry or fearful to listen to what another individual is saying.

�1. Mechanical Barriers �

A communication is a two-way process, distance between the sender and the receiver of the message is an important barrier to communication. Noise and environmental factors also block communication.

2. Personal Barriers

Personal factors like difference in judgment, social values, inferiority complex, bias, attitude, pressure of time, inability to communicate, etc. widen the psychological distance between the communicator and the communicate.

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�3. Semantic or Language Barriers�

Semantic is the science of meaning. The same words and symbols carry different meanings to different people. Difficulties in communication arise when the sender and the receiver of the message use words or symbols in different senses.

4. Status Barriers (Superior-Subordinate Relationship)

Status or position in the hierarchy of an organization is one of the fundamental barriers that obstructs free flow of information. A superior may give only selected information to his subordinates so as to maintain status differences. Subordinates, usually, tend to convey only those things which the superiors would appreciate.

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5. Organizational Structure Barriers

Effective communication largely depends upon sound organizational structure. If the structure is complex involving several layers of management, the breakdown or distortion in communication wall arise. It is an established fact that every layer cuts off a bit of information.

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6. Barriers Due to Inadequate Attention

nadequate attention to the message makes communication less effective and the message is likely to be misunderstood. Inattention may arise because of over business of the communicate or because of the message being contrary to his expectations and beliefs.

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