Health and Social Care Essay

Barriers to effective communication

Communication barriers are when there’s a block to prevent people from receiving a message, or making sense of a message or understanding a message.

Different types of barriers

What affects communication?

Three main ways in which communication can be blocked:

• If a person is unable to make sense of the message • If the person is unable to see, or receive the message • If they misunderstands the message

Message not received

The first block where people do not receive the communication includes:

• Hearing disabilities • Environmental problems for example speaking to far away, poor lighting • Visual disabilities

Sometimes people may not be able to sense a message, known as sensory deprivation. Visual and hearing disabilities may result in having feelings of isolation.

Message makes no sense

This could result in the following:

Use of different languages including foreign language and signed languages
Use different aspects of language such as: 1. Jargon- technical language 2. slang- language certain people use 3. dialect- different areas make different sounds when they speak, they pronounce words differently

4. acronyms-initials that stand for words, like GSCC ( General Social Care Council)

The person receiving the message has physical and intellectual disabilities such as memory loss.

Message misunderstood

Cultural differences
Different cultures understand non-verbal and verbal messages and humour in different ways. Assumptions about ethnic groups, gender, disability and other groupings can lead to stereotyping and misunderstandings.

Emotional issues
Very angry or very happy may fail to understand communication from others. Aggression or inapprioate behaviour may lead to misunderstanding.

Social settings
Behaviour and statements that are understood by friends and family may not be understood by strangers. Might use different types of language in different situations.

Because people are all different the communication cycle can easily be blocked if professional listening skills are not used.

The effects of communication difficulties

If a person cannot communicate effectively, there might be a danger that they will not receive appropriate physical care. Imagine you were in pain, or that certain foods made you unwell, but you could not communicate this information to anyone. People may not respond to you, you might not get the right help to make it comfortable or receive the food that you would like.

Communication difficulties can cut people off, making it difficult for them to interact socially. A person unable to communicate might not be able to express themselves or their

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