Communication barriers
Educational Communication
SZ6612 EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATION
SZ6638 EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Common barriers to effective communication
• use of jargon, over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms
• emotional barriers and taboos
• lack of attention, interest, distractions, or irrelevance
• physical disabilities such as hearing problems or speech difficulties
• physical barriers complicate or even make it impossible to non-verbal communication
• expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or stereotyping
• cultural differences
 A skilled communicator must be aware of these barriers and try to reduce their impact by
continually checking understanding and by offering appropriate feedback.

A CATEGORISATION OF BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
•Language Barriers
•Psychological Barriers
•Physical Barriers
•Systematic Barriers
•Attitudinal Barriers
•

Language Barriers
•Language and linguistic ability may act as a barrier to communication.
•Communicating in the same language, the terminology used in a message may act as a barrier if it
is not fully understood by the receiver(s).
•A message that includes a lot of specialist jargon and abbreviations will not be understood by a
receiver who is not familiar with the terminology used.
•Regional colloquialisms and expressions may be misinterpreted or even considered offensive.
•

Psychological Barriers
•The psychological state of the communicators will influence how the message is sent, received and
perceived.
•Stress - stressed people may be preoccupied by personal concerns and not as receptive to the
message as if they were not stressed. Stress management is an important personal skill that affects
our interpersonal relationships.
•Anger is psychological barrier to communication. when we are angry it is easy to say things that
we may later regret and also to misinterpret what others are saying.
•Low self-esteem - people with low self-esteem may be less assertive and therefore may not feel
comfortable communicating - they may feel shy about saying how they really feel or read negative
sub-texts into messages they hear.

Physiological Barriers
•Physiological barriers may result from the receiver’s physical state.
•For example, a receiver with reduced hearing may not grasp to entirety of a spoken conversation
especially if there is significant background noise.

Physical Barriers
•An example of a physical barrier to communication is geographic distance between the sender and
receiver(s).
•Communication is generally easier over shorter distances as more communication channels are
available and less technology is required.
•Although modern technology often serves to reduce the impact of physical barriers, the advantages
and disadvantages of each communication channel should be understood so that an appropriate channel
can be used to overcome the physical barriers.

Systematic Barriers
•Systematic barriers to communication may exist in structures and organisations where there are
inefficient or inappropriate information systems and communication channels, or where there is a
lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities for communication.
•In such organisations, individuals may be unclear of their role in the communication process and
therefore not know what is expected of them.
•

Attitudinal Barriers
•Attitudinal barriers are behaviours or perceptions that prevent people from communicating
effectively.
•Attitudinal barriers to communication may result from personality conflicts, poor management,
resistance to change or a lack of motivation.
•Effective receivers of messages should attempt to overcome their own attitudinal barriers to
facilitate effective communication.

Eight Barriers to Communication
•Failure to make a great first (and second) impression
•Flubbing (bungleing) the story
•Not listening
• Arguing with the intent to harm
•Criticism
•Hostility and contempt
•Ignoring body language
•Ignoring the cycle of communication