WHAT IS A COMMUNICATION BARRIER ?
A communication barrier is anything that distorts communication can be labeled as 'noise' or
'barrier'. Barriers can be tangible (physical in nature) or intangible (psychological in nature). It
can occur at the sender's level, the transmission level or the receiver's level.
WHAT IS A MECHANICAL BARRIER ?
Any barrier that is not within the control of either the sender or receiver. Mechanical barriers are
also referred to as External barriers. They exist outside the physical domain of the interlocutors.
EXAMPLES OF MECHANICAL BARRIER
POOR CELLULAR NETWORK
SERVER FAILURE
POOR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
TRAFFIC NOISE
POWER FAILURE POWER
POOR QUALITY PRINT ON PAPER
Mechanical Barrier Include any disturbances which interfere with the physical transmission of
the message. As technical sources of interference that stems from a problem in machinery or
instruments we use to transmit the message; verbal or non- verbal.
Defects in machinery – machines require constant maintenance, it ncludes smeared ink on the
printed matter, rolling screen on a TV or type too small to be read.
Transmission interruption – email, fax machines, pagers, cell phones, radios and satellite
communication; for any reason there is an interruption in receiving the signal
No access to vital devices/machines- Devices for personal communication – hearing aids,
amplifiers, signaling devices, Braille and special needs telephones.
Power failure – no electricity
How to overcome Mechanical Barrier
*Ensure good working condition of devices
*Arrange adequate backup if power cuts are frequent
, WHAT IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER?
Mechanical barrier is any problem that originates within the body of the sender or receiver.
Physical barriers are also called Internal barriers. They exist only within the physical domain of
the body of the interlocutors due to outside conditions.
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL BARRIER/ INTERNAL BARRIER (We say it an internal barrier too
because it affects us internally and so it reflects out.)
1. ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS:- EXCESS HUMIDITY, A BRIGHT GLARE, POOR VENTILATION
2. SUBJECTIVE STRESS:- A HEADACHE, SLEEPY, MEDICATED , FEVERISH , INTOXICATED
3. IGNORANCE OF MEDIA & CHANNELS:- INABILITY TO READ, INABILITY TO USE DEVICES
Physical/Internal Barrier
External Noise – difficult to pass messages orally, e.g. loud music/ traffic noise.
Physical Stress – due to sleeplessness, ill health, consumption of drugs, mental strain,
the communication cannot interpret the message in a desired manner.
Environmental Stress – wrong choice of font colors in a PPT might cause strain to the
eyes and message might not be received, high temperature, humidity, bad ventilation etc.
Time – different time zones (clients in different parts of the world) People in the same
organization but working in different shifts.
Distance – cubicles, cabins, partitions, large furniture etc. can create the illusion of
distance, minimizes contact of employees. The same happens with the people working
in different branches across the country or the world .
How to overcome Physical/Internal Barrier
*Open layout plan – workspace with an “open office” plan – desks are grouped around a central
meeting point
*Minimize noise – make sound proof arrangements
*Use of technology – video conferencing for distance
*Mutual adjustment – for different time zones
*Provide environmental comfort – make ambience comfortable by providing sound proof rooms,
air conditioning, good seating arrangement etc.
A communication barrier is anything that distorts communication can be labeled as 'noise' or
'barrier'. Barriers can be tangible (physical in nature) or intangible (psychological in nature). It
can occur at the sender's level, the transmission level or the receiver's level.
WHAT IS A MECHANICAL BARRIER ?
Any barrier that is not within the control of either the sender or receiver. Mechanical barriers are
also referred to as External barriers. They exist outside the physical domain of the interlocutors.
EXAMPLES OF MECHANICAL BARRIER
POOR CELLULAR NETWORK
SERVER FAILURE
POOR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
TRAFFIC NOISE
POWER FAILURE POWER
POOR QUALITY PRINT ON PAPER
Mechanical Barrier Include any disturbances which interfere with the physical transmission of
the message. As technical sources of interference that stems from a problem in machinery or
instruments we use to transmit the message; verbal or non- verbal.
Defects in machinery – machines require constant maintenance, it ncludes smeared ink on the
printed matter, rolling screen on a TV or type too small to be read.
Transmission interruption – email, fax machines, pagers, cell phones, radios and satellite
communication; for any reason there is an interruption in receiving the signal
No access to vital devices/machines- Devices for personal communication – hearing aids,
amplifiers, signaling devices, Braille and special needs telephones.
Power failure – no electricity
How to overcome Mechanical Barrier
*Ensure good working condition of devices
*Arrange adequate backup if power cuts are frequent
, WHAT IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER?
Mechanical barrier is any problem that originates within the body of the sender or receiver.
Physical barriers are also called Internal barriers. They exist only within the physical domain of
the body of the interlocutors due to outside conditions.
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL BARRIER/ INTERNAL BARRIER (We say it an internal barrier too
because it affects us internally and so it reflects out.)
1. ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS:- EXCESS HUMIDITY, A BRIGHT GLARE, POOR VENTILATION
2. SUBJECTIVE STRESS:- A HEADACHE, SLEEPY, MEDICATED , FEVERISH , INTOXICATED
3. IGNORANCE OF MEDIA & CHANNELS:- INABILITY TO READ, INABILITY TO USE DEVICES
Physical/Internal Barrier
External Noise – difficult to pass messages orally, e.g. loud music/ traffic noise.
Physical Stress – due to sleeplessness, ill health, consumption of drugs, mental strain,
the communication cannot interpret the message in a desired manner.
Environmental Stress – wrong choice of font colors in a PPT might cause strain to the
eyes and message might not be received, high temperature, humidity, bad ventilation etc.
Time – different time zones (clients in different parts of the world) People in the same
organization but working in different shifts.
Distance – cubicles, cabins, partitions, large furniture etc. can create the illusion of
distance, minimizes contact of employees. The same happens with the people working
in different branches across the country or the world .
How to overcome Physical/Internal Barrier
*Open layout plan – workspace with an “open office” plan – desks are grouped around a central
meeting point
*Minimize noise – make sound proof arrangements
*Use of technology – video conferencing for distance
*Mutual adjustment – for different time zones
*Provide environmental comfort – make ambience comfortable by providing sound proof rooms,
air conditioning, good seating arrangement etc.
