A manager starts explaining a new incentive plan to his team. Before he can finish, one worker concludes that the plan is only about extra overtime, as he already has a fixed idea about such plans. Which barrier to communication is seen here?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Premature evaluation
Option (1) Lack of attention — Incorrect. Lack of attention arises when the receiver has a preoccupied mind and does not listen, like a boss busy with a file. The worker in the question is listening, but judges too early.
Option (2) Distrust — Incorrect. Distrust arises when the two parties do not believe each other. Nothing shows that the worker disbelieves the manager.
Option (3) Unclarified assumptions — Incorrect. This is a semantic barrier. The message itself carries an assumption that can be read in different ways. Here the fixed idea is the worker’s own, not an assumption carried in the manager’s message, and the worker judges before the message is complete.
Option (4) Premature evaluation — Correct. People sometimes judge the meaning of a message before the sender completes it. This comes from pre-conceived notions or prejudice. The worker decides what the plan is about from a fixed idea before the manager finishes.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Semantic barriers … (iv) Unclarified assumptions: Some communications may have certain assumptions which are subject to different interpretations. …” “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. 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 pre-occupied 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.” “(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. …” |