Objectives
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
- Explain why a communicator must understand the different barriers to effective communication.
- List the physical, psychological-cultural, and social barriers to effective communication;
- Define competent communication;
- Cite examples of how a competent communicator can overcome; and
- The various barriers to effective communication.
Activities
Activity 7. Read Chapter 7 of your text.
Make a list of the noises that you must deal with every day at home and at work. Take a quick walk around your office or work to help you decide how you will answer. After you have made your list, continue with the module.
How was your foray into the world of noise? Let me guess the items you have on your list: ringing telephones; vehicle sounds; loud TV or radio; shouting/laughing people; rooms that are too hot or too cold; crying children; regionalism; stereotyping; negative attitudes; alerts, notifications, ring tones, inbox, etc.
You probably have entries on your list that I never even considered. Why? Well, perhaps the things that you do, and I consider noise are different. For example, if I were waiting for a long-distance phone call, the ringing of the phone would not be noise to me. Instead, it would be a signal for me that communication with someone important is about to begin. But for you and your team brainstorming for an important communication campaign, the ringing phone would be disruptive. For you, the ringing phone would be noise. Some communicators would say that the items on my list all contribute to a breakdown in communication. In other words, because of these or because of noise, the message
cannot be delivered properly.
Answer
List Of Noise (At Home and At Work)
| NOISE: AT HOME | NOISE: AT WORK |
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While the types of noise I identified may hinder my ability to receive a message, they may not be considered noise for someone else. For others, these same stimuli might even be their normal or preferred communication environment. In the end, noise is subjective.
Noise is considered noise regardless of its form, sound, or channel. For someone like me, I value stillness and quiet in my environment, and I perform best in a calm, enclosed space rather than an open or crowded one. Even though I can adapt to noisy environments when necessary, zoning out and maintaining focus, prolonged exposure to loud spaces or crowds often leads to headaches and mental fatigue.
This became more evident after I moved abroad. Living on a small, peaceful island like the Cayman Islands has influenced my lifestyle and preferences. Whenever I go home to the Philippines for vacation, I immediately feel overwhelmed by the traffic, the crowds, and the general noise. These experiences made me realise how much my tolerance and habits have shifted as an OFW.
While the types of noise I identified may hinder my ability to receive a message, they may not be considered noise for someone else. For others, these same stimuli might even be their normal or preferred communication environment.
In the end, noise is subjective. Its impact varies from person to person, shaped by context, lifestyle, and lived experiences. Understanding this helps us become more mindful communicators who adjust not only our message but also the environment in which it is received.