There are many reasons why interpersonal communications may fail.

In many communications,
the message may not be received exactly the way the sender intended. It is, therefore, important that
the communicator seeks feedback to check that their message is clearly understood. The skills of active
listening, clarification and reflection may help but the skilled communicator also needs to be aware of
the barriers to effective communication and how to avoid or overcome them.

There are many barriers to communication and these may occur at any stage in the
communication process. Barriers may lead to your message becoming distorted and you therefore risk
wasting both time and or money by causing confusion and misunderstanding.

Effective communication involves overcoming these barriers and conveying a clear and concise

Here are the common barriers to communication:

 The use of jargon. Over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms. The use of jargon
should only be used when the one receiving your message is educated on those terms. For every
profession and group, there is jargon. In communication, jargon serves a major barrier, and
leaves the door open for potential misinterpretation which could be detrimental to your efforts.

 Emotional barriers and taboos. Some people may find it difficult to express their emotions and
some topics may be completely off-limits or taboo. Taboo or difficult topics may include, but are
not limited to, politics, religion, disabilities: mental and physical; sexuality and sex, racism and
any opinion that may be seen as unpopular.
 Lack of attention, interest, distractions, or irrelevance to the receiver. This occur when the
receiver is not interested in the topic or issue being discussed and become bored. Sometimes,
the receiver is having a closed mind. We all have ideals and values that we believe to be correct
and it can be difficult to listen to the views of others that contradict our own opinions.
 Differences in perception and viewpoint. Examples of perceptual barriers that prevent
individuals from effective communication include:
- Perceptual Filters - We all have our own preferences, values, attitudes, origins and life
experiences that act as "filters" on our experiences of people, events and information.
Seeing things through the lens of our own unique life experiences or "conditioning" may
lead to assumptions, stereotyping and misunderstandings of others whose experiences
differ from our own.
- Triggers and Cues - What we say is affected by how we say it and by our nonverbal cues,
such as body language and facial gestures. For example, you may perceive a situation
differently if the person you are speaking with is smiling or frowning, has body odor and
is standing too close or is not giving you direct eye contact.
 Physical barriers to non-verbal communication. Not being able to see the non-verbal cues,
gestures, posture and general body language can make communication less effective. Phone
calls, text messages and other communication methods that rely on technology are often less
effective than face-to-face communication.
 Language differences. Most of the people in the world do not speak English or, even if they use,
it is their second or third language. If the speaker and receiver do not use same language and
words, there is no meaning to the communication. Not using the words that other person
understands makes the communication ineffective and prevents message from being conveyed.
  Expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or stereotyping. People often
hear what they expect to hear rather than what is actually said and jump to incorrect
conclusions.
 Cultural differences. The norms of social interaction vary greatly in different cultures, as do the
way in which emotions are expressed. For example, the concept of personal space varies
between cultures and between different social settings.

A Categorization of Barriers to Communication

1. Language Barriers

Language and linguistic ability may act as a barrier to communication. However, even when
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. For example, 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.

2. Psychological Barriers

The psychological state of the communicators will influence how the message is sent, received and
perceived. For example, if someone is stressed they may be preoccupied by personal concerns and not
as receptive to the message as if they were not stressed. Anger is another example of a 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.

More generally people with low self-esteem may be less assertive and therefore may not feel
comfortable communicating - they may feel shy or embarrassed about saying how they really feel, or
read unintended negative sub-texts in messages they hear.

3. Physiological Barriers

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

4. Physical Barriers

An example of a physical barrier to communication is geographic distance between the sender and
receiver. Communication is generally easier over shorter distances as more communication channels are
available and less technology is required. The ideal communication is face-to-face.

Although modern technology often helps 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.
 5. Systematic Barriers

Systematic barriers to communication may exist in structures and organizations 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 organizations, people may
be unclear of their role in the communication process and therefore not know what is expected of them.

6. Attitudinal Barriers

Attitudinal barriers are behaviors 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. To be an effective receiver of messages you
should attempt to overcome your own attitudinal barriers to help ensure more effective
communication.

7. Status Barriers (Superior-Subordinate Relationship):

Status or position in the hierarchy of an organization is one of the fundamental barriers that obstructs
free flow of information. A superior may give only selected information to his subordinates so as to
maintain status differences. Subordinates, usually, tend to convey only those things which the superiors
would appreciate. This creates distortion in upward communication. Such selective communication is
also known as filtering.

Sometimes, the superior feels that he cannot fully admit to his subordinates those problems, conditions
or results which may affect adversely on his ability and judgment. To do so would undermine his
position as a superior being in the formal organization. This causes distortion in downward
communication. A subordinate may also feel reluctant to report his shortcomings or may not seek
clarification on instructions which are subject to different interpretations for fear of loss of prestige in
the eyes of the superior.

8. Organizational Structure Barriers:

Effective communication largely depends upon sound organizational structure. If the structure is
complex involving several layers of management, the breakdown or distortion in communication wall
arise. It is an established fact that every layer cuts off a bit of information.

Moreover, information travelling through formal structure introduces rigidity and causes-delay because
of long lines of communication. Similarly, lack of instructions for further conveying information to the
subordinates and heavy pressure of work at certain levels of authority also act as barriers to effective
communication.

9. Barriers Due to Inadequate Attention:

Inadequate attention to the message makes communication less effective and the message is likely to
be misunderstood. Inattention may arise because of over business of the communicate or because of
the message being contrary to his expectations and beliefs. The simple failure to read notices, minutes
and reports is also a common feature.
Whatever be the reason, communication remains only a one-way process and there is no understanding
of the message, if the receiver pays little attention to the message.

10. Premature Evaluation:

Some people have the tendency to form a judgment before listening to the entire message. This is
known as premature evaluation. Premature evaluation distorts understanding and acts as a barrier to
effective communication.

11. Emotional Attitude:

Barriers may also arise due to emotional attitude because when emotions are strong, it is difficult to
know the frame of mind of other person or group. Emotional attitudes of both, the communicator as
well as the communicate, obstruct free flow of transmission and understanding of messages.

12. Resistance to Change:

It is a general tendency of human beings to stick to old and customary patterns of life. They may resist
change to maintain status quo. Thus, when new ideas are being communicated to introduce a change, it
is likely to be overlooked or even opposed. This resistance to change creates an important obstacle to
effective communication.

13. Barriers Due to Lack of Mutual Trust:

Communication means sharing of ideas in common. When we communicate, we are trying to establish a
commonness. Thus, one will freely transfer information and understanding with another only when
there is mutual trust between the two. When there is a lack of mutual trust between the communicator
and the communicate, the message is not followed. Credibility gaps, such as inconsistency in saying and
doing, also causes lack of mutual trust which acts as a basic obstacle to effective communication.

14. Other Barriers:

There may be many other barriers, such as un-clarified assumptions, lack of ability to communicate,
mirage of too much knowledge of closed minds, communication overload, shortage of time, etc., which
cause distortion or obstruction in the free flow of communication and thus make it ineffective. Failure to
retain or store information for future use becomes a barrier to communication when the information is
needed in future.