How to Recognize Barriers to Communication

Body language can be an indicative of a communication barrier.

Recognizing barriers to communication is helpful for good communication in both personal and professional life. Good communication skills allow an individual to interact with others in an effective, meaningful and efficient manner. As relationships affect most aspects of life, it is important to recognize when communication is flowing smoothly as well as when barriers arise that cause problems with effective communication. Barriers to communication may be physical, verbal, body-oriented, cultural or language-oriented, and psychological.

Instructions

Types of Barriers

1. Find physical barriers to good communication by noticing the environment around you. Physical barriers can be identified in the characteristics of the setting where communication is taking place, and can include such things as noise, light, and comfort level. Physical barriers may also include location. For example, in the work environment, a physical barrier to communication could be a closed office door or actual spatial separation caused working in different buildings.

2. Notice verbal barriers to communication by examining the way that you speak to people. Verbal barriers include speaking in a quiet or monotone voice, using confusing language, and mumbling or not speaking clearly.

3. Recognize body-oriented barriers to communication by making an effort to notice what is happening in your body while you communicate with others. Barriers to communication in body language include crossing arms and legs, having bad posture, fidgeting while speaking, and avoiding eye contact.

4. Examine cultural or language-oriented barriers to communication that may be present in your relationships. Cultural barriers include age, gender, ethnicity, religion and all other cultural aspects of life that make people different from one another. Language barriers are easy to recognize because of their obviousness, but can cause a major barrier to effective communication.

5. Find psychological barriers to communication by examining what is happening in your mind while communicating with others. Perceptions, beliefs, attitudes and cognitions are psychological factors that can affect communication. An example of this could be having a belief that you do not communicate well, therefore clouding the real communication that is taking place.

Tips & Warnings

• Noticing these barriers to communication is the first step towards better communication. Once noticed, these factors can be examined and a greater personal and professional awareness can be developed. It is then important to try to change these barriers into more effective means of communication.

References

• College of Marin: Barriers to Effective Communication
• Good Communication Skills: Improving Communication Skills