Identify which of the following barrier of communication is a psychological barrier ?

Loss by transmission and poor retention

The correct answer is option (4) : Loss by transmission and poor retention

Psychological barriers: Emotional or psychological factors acts as barriers to communicators. For example, a worried person cannot communicate properly and an angry receiver cannot understand the real meaning of message. e. The state of mind of both sender and receiver of communication reflects in the effective communication.

(i) Premature evaluation: Some times people evaluate the meaning of message before the sender completes his message. Such premature evaluation may be due to pre-conceived notions or prejudices against the communication.

(ii) Lack of attention: The preoccupied mind of receiver and the resultant non-listening of message acts as a major psychological barrier. For instance, an employee explains about his problems to the boss who is pre-occupied with an important file before him. The boss does not grasp the message and the employee is disappointed.

(iii) Loss by transmission and poor retention: When communication passes through various levels, successive transmissions of the message results in loss of, or transmission of inaccurate information. This is more so in case of oral communication. Poor retention is another problem. Usually people cannot retain the information for a long time if they are inattentive or not interested.

(iv) Distrust: Distrust between communicator and communicate acts as a barrier. If the parties do not believe each other, they can not understand each others message in its original sense.