Barriers to Communication
1. What Barriers Are
Barriers to communication = obstacles that prevent or distort message from being sent, transmitted, or understood correctly, leading to miscommunication.
2. Types (exam list — 6 with example + how to overcome)
| Barrier Type | Example | How to Overcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Physical / Environmental | Noise, poor acoustics, distance, faulty mic, glare | Use mic, quiet room, proper equipment, close distance |
| 2. Semantic / Language | Jargon not shared, ambiguous words (wind noun/verb), different languages, excessive acronyms | Use common language, define technical terms, avoid ambiguity |
| 3. Psychological | Bias, prejudice, emotions (anger), closed mind, fear | Empathy, open mind, active listening, manage emotions |
| 4. Organizational | Hierarchy, rigid rules, information overload, filtering up the chain | Simplify hierarchy, encourage feedback, limit overload |
| 5. Cultural | Different norms, values, non-verbal misreading (e.g., eye contact rude in some cultures) | Cultural awareness, sensitivity |
| 6. Personal / Physiological | Hearing loss, poor eyesight, stammering | Assistive device, speak clearly |
Related: Information overload, selective perception.
3. Why Overcoming Barriers Matters for Engineers
Technical instructions must be precise; a semantic barrier (using complement vs compliment) can cause wrong component order; physical noise in factory tour can cause safety risk.
4. Exam Points
- Define barrier and list 5–6 types with example — 7-10 marks, very frequent (the most common barriers question).
- Give how to overcome for each (at least physical, semantic, psychological) — 5 marks, frequent.
- Show semantic vs psychological distinction — 3 marks.
- Give engineering example (jargon) — 3 marks.