Ch – “Communication barriers”

1. Language and Semantic Barriers

Lack of Common Language Example: English speaking boss and Tamil speaking worker. this barrier widens when extended to different countries.

Poor Vocabulary Poor Grammar and Punctuation Roundabout Verbiage – it consists of usage of

troublesome or exhausted words which creates misunderstanding and confusion.

Example: instead of ‘saying prior to’ we can say ‘before’

Semantic BarriersSEMANTICS are concerned with problems and obstructions in the process of encoding and decoding message into words or other impressions.

Definition of words Choice of words

Words like: cheap, light etc. Give me water to drink The water dispute of Punjab,Haryana

2.Organizational BarriersOrganizational rules and regulations

Rigid rules ---- more delay and discouragement Flexible Rules ---- motivation to come up with new ideas.

Hierarchical Barriers --- the formal superior subordinate relations restricts the the flow of messages . the greater the difference in the Hierarchical position the greater is the communication gap.

Specialization of the Workforce – in large organizations the tasks are specified and procedures are structured in such a way that no one has time to come out of their departments this leads to comm. Gap.

Non conducting of staff meetings – staff meeting are conducted to know the grievances and suggestions of employees. If these meetings are not conducted then flow of communication is interrupted.

Information Overload or inadequate – it refers to amount and complexity of messages received by the receiver.routine and simple messages are easy to handle but information which is more complex are difficult to handle and it leads to gossips, rumours which prove harmful for organisation

Wrong Choice of the MediumWhen to use certain channel

Oral :Interviews, conversations, speeches, telephone talks, conferences etc.

Written :Required mainly in case of formal relations.

Examples:Sales manager: Face to faceSmuggler: Oral --- wrongTraffic Police: Oral --- wrongUneducated : Audio Visual --- Wrong

3.Physical BarriersNoise : any disturbance that reduces clarity and

effectiveness of communicatione.g. - loud noise of machines makes a person unable to hear the message.

Time : the time at which message is delieverd is also important otherwise it becomes a barrier.

e.g. A guest at midnight, an order at closing hour.

Distance : distance between the receiver and communicator can also become a barrier.

e.g import-export transactions depends upon use of Fax, telephone etc. if these facilities are not effective then message communicated can be distorted.

Sex : assertive and aggressive more--- men expression of emotions and feelings more --- women

Age : generation gap – interest in sports, cocktail parties and movies

4.Socio-Psychological Barriers

Status BarriersStatus is position or social rank of person in group, depends upon – amount of pay, job skills, seniority, type of work assigned etc.

Attitudes and ValuesAttitude serves personal needs of people, it provide satisfaction. both based on opinions and backgrounds.Agreeable information – which is acceptable E.G – Govt policy. People will accept it only if it is favourable otherwise they wil oppose it.

Abstracting : Process of focusing attention on specific details and ignoring others. E.G – when we prepare a report we include only crucial points other we tend to ignore.

Inference: Statements which are based on facts but go beyond facts. . E.G – when ever we go by train we infer

that we will reach our destination safely. This is our assumption but what if there is accident?

Perceptual Barriers Perception

A person’s view of realityHow people see reality varies and influences

their judgment and decision making Stereotypes:Mental images and expectations.

A shortcut to forming an opinion of someone. Halo effects an extension of an overall impression

of a person (or one particular outstanding trait) to influence the total judgment of that person.

Example : If a person is bestowed with good physical beauty, then this person is also presumed to possess a host of other positive attributes as well, such as social competence, intellectual competence, and personal adjustment.

Projection When a person has uncomfortable thoughts or feelings, they may project these onto other people, assigning the thoughts or feelings that they need to repress to a convenient alternative target.

Example : I do not like another person. But I have a value that says I should like everyone. So I project onto them that they do not like me. This allows me to avoid them and also to handle my own feelings of dislike.

An unfaithful husband suspects his wife of infidelity.

Past experience: Past distorts present expectations

FILTERING : manipulation of information so that it will seem more favorably to the receiver. When a message is transmitted through translation, explanation, simplification some part of it goes distorted or-filtered

Allness and closeness of mind: a close minded person means who is not open to new ideas, innovations etc. when a subordinate approaches a close minded boss with some suggestion he would not entertain it.

5. others:

POOR LISTENING LISTEN TO RESPOND LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND

ABSENCE OF FEEDBACK, POOR FEEDBACK

Attitude of superiors Attitude of subordinates

Emotions emotional interferences include hostility, anger, resentfulness and fear.

Egotism