Barriers to communication

 Any factor which distorts or confuses a

message, competes against communication
or prevents a message from being received is
called a communication barrier, noise or
interference.
 It can occur within the person who is trying to

communicate or outside .
Categories of communication barriers
1. Physical barriers :noise in the outside
environment (physical noise ) e. g. a faint ,
crackling telephone line, students boycotting
outside lecture venues , traffic noise etc.
2. Physiological barriers : poor health, physical
disability , pain or discomfort may interfere
with a message or prevent a message from
being received e.g. poor eyesight or
hearing ,headache, exhausted etc.
Categories ( contd )
3. Psychological barriers : any psychological
state like anger, depression, fear,
nervousness boredom or distrust.
4. Perceptual barriers : people of different
backgrounds, culture, sex, personality,
education, religions see the world differently
and interpret or understand situations and
simple communication messages differently.
Barriers ( contd )
5. Semantic barriers : occur when the words
used are misunderstood or when different
meanings are attached to a specific word or
expression. Different interpretations and
vague wording, slang, jargon and accent are
some of the things that can lead to semantic
barriers.
Barriers ( contd )
6. Intercultural barriers : S. A is a multi-cultural
country. It is important to understand, tolerate
and value other people’s cultures. Problem
areas include ethnocentricity and stereotyping.
Ethnocentricity is the perception that a nation,
group or culture to which you belong is
superior to any other.
Stereotyping is when people form an impression
of a certain group and have a fixed general
image or characteristic of what that particular
group is like.
Barriers ( contd )
7. Gatekeeping : the process of creating
communication barriers as a result of fearing
the consequences of a specific situation or
act.
Ten ways to overcome barriers to
effective communication
 Use face-to-face communication where
possible.
 Learn as much as possible about different

barriers which could interfere with

communication.
 Be sensitive to other people’s background.
 Use direct, unambiguous and simple

language.
 Repeat your message orally or in writing to

make sure it has been understood.

Ten ways to overcome barriers
( contd)
 Avoid subjective, emotional language.
 Establish a relationship of trust between the

receiver and yourself.

 Be open-minded and open to suggestions.
 Get rid of your defensive attitudes.
 Be a good listener.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
 People have needs. It is important for people
in an organisation, especially managers, to
understand the needs of the employees.
 Understanding these needs will help you

improve your interpersonal rel,avoid conflict

by meeting the needs of your colleagues.
 Maslow developed a theory in which he

proposed five levels of needs that every

individual seeks to satisfy, a hierarchy of
needs
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
1. Physical/ physiological needs : basic need to
survive, the need for food, water, warmth and
shelter.
2. Safety and security needs: people need to
feel safe and secure in their environment
these include income security, a safe work
environment and job security.
Maslow’s needs contd
3. Social needs: the need for love, acceptance,
friendship and the need to belong to a group.
4. Esteem needs: the need for self-esteem and
esteem from others. They include the need to
achieve,to be recognised and appreciated.
5. Self-actualisation needs: the desire to fulfill
one’s potential-to become what you want to be,
by applying your knowledge and skills. They can
be fulfilled by self-development, challenges,
acquiring knowledge and being creative.
Activity
Which of Maslow’s needs motivates the ff
behaviour or actions?
1. The personnel manager organises a team-
building weekend for all supervisors. All
expenses are paid by the organisation.
2. Workers go on strike demanding a living
wage.
3. ‘I will never organise a seminar for her again-
two weeks of no sleep,a hundred grey hairs
and she thanks everybody but me!’
Activity
4. A loyal temporary member of staff gives 24
hours notice to accept a permanent position
at another company.
5. Anglo American offers basic adult education
courses for illiterate employees during
working hours.
Briefly explain each of the human needs as
identified by Maslow.