Different types of barriers to communication?

Answer 1

There are many barriers to communication, although they can be categorized into three: physical barriers, cultural barriers and psychological barriers.

Physical barriers are things like:

- distance

- disconnected cable

- disability or decease

- distorted message

very easy to continue this list.

Cultural barriers are things like:

- misunderstanding the meaning of the message (usually phrases are interpreted differently)

- tabus or forbidden subjects

- assumptions and prejudices

- different language

Psychological barriers are things like:

- Shame

- Guilt

- Shyness

- Fear

- Uncertainty

- Indecisivity

- Mistrust

- Hatred

Answer

Miscommunication and interference from people who wish to cause harm to the relationship.

Answer 2

The National Center on Dispute Resolution offers a very good overview of effective communication skills, including bridges and barriers.

Communication Involves Three Components:

1. Verbal Messages - the words we choose

2. Paraverbal Messages - how we say the words

3. Nonverbal Messages - our body language

Barriers to Verbal Communication:

1. Attacking (interrogating, criticizing, blaming, shaming)

2. "You Messages" (moralizing, preaching, advising, diagnosing)

3. Showing Power (ordering, threatening, commanding, directing)

4. Other Verbal Barriers: shouting, name calling, refusing to speak.

Barriers to Nonverbal Communication:

1. Flashing or rolling eyes

2. Quick or slow movements

3. Arms crossed, legs crossed

4. Gestures made with exasperation

Bridges/Effective Verbal Messages:

1. Are brief, succinct, and organized

2. Are free of jargon

3. Do not create resistance in the listener

Nonverbal Bridges to Communication:

1. Leaning gently towards the speaker.

2. Facing the other person squarely.

3. Maintaining an open posture with arms and legs uncrossed.

4. Moving our bodies in response to the speaker, i.e., appropriate head nodding, facial expressions.