Process
The person who initiates an idea and turns it into a message.
Who is the Sender?
Communication using words, either written or spoken.
What is Verbal Communication?
Loud lawnmower noise outside a classroom window is an example of this barrier.
What is a Physical Barrier (or Environmental Noise)?
Modifying your tone, language, and content to fit who you are speaking to.
What is Audience Adaptation?
Hearing is automatic, but this process requires conscious focus and interpretation.
What is Listening?
The person or group for whom the message is intended, responsible for decoding the information.
Who is the Receiver?
Body language, facial expressions, and posture belong to this category.
What is Nonverbal Communication?
Using complex technical jargon that the listener does not understand creates this barrier.
What is a Semantic Barrier (or Language Barrier)?
Statistical factors like age, gender, culture, and education level used to analyze listeners.
What are Demographics?
The type of listening where you focus on understanding and validating the speaker's feelings.
What is Empathetic Listening?
The receiver’s response that confirms whether the message was understood.
What is Feedback?
Communication directed toward oneself, such as internal thoughts or self-talk.
What is Intrapersonal Communication?
Strong emotions like anger or anxiety that block clear message processing.
What is a Psychological Barrier?
Adjusting a presentation based on whether the audience is friendly, neutral, or hostile.
What is analyzing Audience Disposition (or Attitude)?
Repeating key ideas in your own words to verify you understood the speaker correctly.
What is Paraphrasing?
Any distraction, interference, or disruption that distorts or obstructs a message.
What is Noise?
Communication that takes place between two or more distinct individuals (e.g., a conversation between friends).
What is Interpersonal Communication?
Differences in values, norms, or social expectations between sender and receiver that cause misunderstanding.
What are Cultural Barriers?
Information gathered about an audience’s values, beliefs, attitudes, and lifestyles rather than demographic traits.
What are Psychographics?
Nodding, maintaining eye contact, making brief encouraging sounds, and asking clarifying questions to demonstrate active focus.
What is Active Listening?