Which of the following statements about the receiver in the communication process is incorrect?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → A receiver who sees words and body movements not matching faces a psychological barrier.
Option (1) The receiver of communication may be encouraged to respond to communication. — True. To ensure proper feedback, the receiver may be encouraged to respond. His response shows whether the message was understood.
Option (2) The level of understanding of the receiver should be clear to the communicator. — True. To communicate according to the receiver’s needs, the communicator should be crystal clear about the receiver’s level of understanding.
Option (3) Noise in communication may be caused to the sender, the message or the receiver. — True. Noise is any hindrance to communication, and it may be caused to the sender, the message or the receiver.
Option (4) A receiver who sees words and body movements not matching faces a psychological barrier. — False. A mismatch between what is said and what the body movements show comes under body language and gesture decoding. It is a semantic barrier, as it is a problem in decoding the message. Psychological barriers come from the state of mind, such as premature evaluation, lack of attention or distrust.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Semantic barriers: Semantics is the branch of linguistics dealing with the meaning of words and sentences. Semantic barriers are concerned with problems and obstructions in the process of encoding and decoding of message into words or impressions. Normally, such barriers result on account of use of wrong words, faulty translations, different interpretations, etc. …” “(vi) Body language and gesture decoding: Every movement of body communicates some meaning. The body movement and gestures of communicator matters so much in conveying the message. If there is no match between what is said and what is expressed in body movements, communications may be wrongly perceived. …” |