COMMUNICATION

BREAKDOWN
• It is another term for misunderstanding,
miscommunication, or in short, something
gets in the way in the communication
process that makes the transaction
unsuccessful.
• According to Don Morlan and George Tuttle,
“communication breakdown is a failure of
the human communication system.” This
breakdown results from different types of
barriers that prevent communication to take
place.
 BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
• Language Barriers
• Psychological Barriers
• Physiological Barriers
• Physical Barriers
• Systematic Barriers
• Attitudinal Barriers
 LANGUAGE BARRIER

• Language barriers occur when people do not speak the same

language, or do not have the same level of ability in a
language. However, barriers can also occur when people are
speaking the same language. Sometimes barriers occur when
we use inappropriate levels of language (too formal or
informal) or we use jargon or slang which is not understood
by one or more of the people communicating.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS

• The psychological barrier of communication is the

influence of psychological state of the communicators
(sender and receiver) which creates an obstacle for
effective communication.
 CAUSES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS

• Lack of Attention
• Poor Retention
• Distrust and Defensiveness
• Perception, Viewpoint, Attitudes and Opinions
• Emotions
• Closed Mind and Filtering
• Premature Evaluation
 PHYSICAL BARRIER

• Physical Barriers
• An example of a physical barrier to communication is geographic distance
between the sender and receiver(s).
• Communication is generally easier over shorter distances as more
communication channels are available and less technology is required.
Although modern technology often serves 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.
 PHYSIOLOGICAL BARRIER

• Physiological barriers may result from the receiver’s physical

state.

• For example, a receiver with reduced hearing may not grasp to

entirety of a spoken conversation especially if there is
significant background noise.
 SYSTEMATIC BARRIER

• 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, individuals may be
unclear of their role in the communication process and therefore
not know what is expected of them.
 ATTITUDINAL BARRIER

• 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 .
Effective receivers of messages should attempt to overcome
their own attitudinal barriers to facilitate effective
communication
HOW TO AVOID COMMUNICATION
BREAKDOWN
• Never Assume
• Avoid Unexplained Silence
• Avoid Talking out of Negative Emotions
• Avoid Confusing Instruction
• Avoid Holding Back Your Energy
• Stop Neglecting Eye Contact
• Handle Wrong Tones
• respecting other’s feelings and attitudes
• using active listening skills
• encouraging involvement of others by asking questions
while respecting personal privacy
• using open body language and an encouraging vocal tone
• taking other people’s fears and concerns into consideration.
• refraining from giving unsolicited advice.
• not blaming, instead working towards a solution.
• provide information
• ensure everyone is fully and clearly informed
• provide the information in small, manageable doses
• be prepared
• know what the core issues are that you want to change and don’t be
distracted by irrelevant side-issues
• be prepared to have some parts of the communication traded or
changed to encourage a spirit of compromise
• give people options and a way out
• talk and listen
• consider people’s feelings
• give people an opportunity to express themselves and listen
• wrap bad news in some good news
• be open to feedback
• enlist some help
• win over influential people and enlist them to help spread
the message
• be open to ideas and advice.