User:Niteshsrivastav1578

''BARRIERS TO COMMMUNICATION'

Communication is complete & perfect when the receiver understands the message in the same sense as the sender wants to convey. But such perfect communication hardly takes place due to some barriers. There are a number of barriers which can be broadly divided into four categories:

•	Semantic Barriers

•	Physical Barriers

•	Organizational Barriers

•	Psychological Barriers

SEMANTIC BARRIERS'''

Semantic barriers are concerned with the problems in encoding and the decoding of the message. Basically it relates to the barriers related to language. Some of the semantic barriers are as follow:

a) Different Language: It is difficult to get the exact meaning of different words in different languages. People do not have common language. So it is quite obvious that there is no common medium of communication.

b) Different Context for Words and Symbols: Words and symbols have different meaning according to the context. Sometimes receiver misunderstands the message causing great problem.

C) Poor Vocabulary: Poor vocabulary also hinders the communicator to convey the message in the right sense. Inappropriate words fail to convey the right message. So the communicator should know the clear and precise meaning of the used words.

PHYSICAL BARRIERS

Physical barriers include the external factors that hinder the process of communication. Physical barriers are as follows:

•	Noise: Noise is any disturbance or interference which spoils the concentration and reduces the clarity. For example: loud noise coming from outside or noise due to machines, traffic etc.             Noise may be of four kinds:

i) Physical Noise: like noise from outside, traffic etc.

ii ) Psychological Noise: like mental trouble, t0;ension, worry etc.

iii) Written Noise: like bad handwriting or incorrect spelling etc.

iv) Visual Noise: distraction in any form like late arrival of someone etc.

b) Improper Time: Improper timings also hinders the process of communication. For example: an order at closing hour to complete an important work or a phone call at midnight that too when the message is not urgent.

c) Distance: The distance between sender and the receiver acts as a barrier in the communication process.

d) Inadequate or Overloaded Message: The information should be adequate, neither too less nor too much. If the information is inadequate or overloaded, the communication will not be effective.

ORGANISATIONAL BARRIERS

Organizational barriers are as follows:

•	Organizational Rules & Regulations: Rules and regulations help in the proper working of the institution/organization. But the rules should be flexible. Rigid rules relating to communication cause delay and discouragement.

•	Hierarchical Relationship: Boss- subordinate relationship is hierarchical relationship. Great difference in hierarchical positions leads to greater communication gap.

•	Non- conducting of Staff Meetings: In organizations, staff meetings should be conducted time-to-time. Otherwise it interrupts the free flow of communication.

•	Wrong Choice of Channel: There are different mediums and channels of communication like face-to-face talk, via telephone, e-mail, sms etc. wrong choice of channel obstructs effective communication.

PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS

Psychological Barriers arise from feelings, emotions and perceptions. Psychological barriers are as follows:

a)Selective Perceptions: Our perceptions are limited. That is why we receive the desired part of the message and ignore the undesired part. It results in misunderstandings and make the communication ineffective.

b) Egotism: Egotism is a very common barrier. The self centered people think that their own ideas are more important and others are wrong. Such people are bad listeners and hinder effective communication.

c) Emotions: Negative emotions like hatred, jealousy, anger etc. obstruct effective communication.

STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

•	There should be a common medium of communication.

•	Misunderstandings regarding the meaning of words &symbols should be avoided.

•	Speaker should use appropriate words i.e. right word at the right place.

•	There should not be any noise or disturbance.

•	Timing should be proper.

•	The sender should convey adequate information.

•	In organizations, staff meetings should be held time-to-time.

•	Rules &regulations should be flexible.

•	Sender should choose right medium and channel to convey the message.

•	The listener should listen comprehensively, not selectively.

•	Negative emotions like hatred, jealousy, anger should be avoided.