Barriers of Effective Communication

Barriers of Effective Communication

Barriers of Effective Communication
CJA/304
January 14, 2013
Stewart Stanfield

Barriers of Effective Communication
Barriers of Effective Communication The common goal of all communication is to take one idea and transfer it from one location to another. Communication is essential in everything that we do. It is also vital that communication is clear in order for it to be effective. If this is established, then the goal has been accomplished. According to our reading for week one, “70 percent of our time is spent communicating. Even with the prominence of communication in everyday functions, however, little, if any, study of communication techniques is required in high schools, colleges, and police academies.” (The Need for Effective Communication. H. Wallace J.D., C. Roberson L.L.M. 2009). There are three major barriers in communication: language, distraction, and false assumption. Language can be a barrier because if a request is not specified, people can interpret differently. For example, if I tell someone that something needs to be done as soon as possible, said person could interpret that to mean as soon as they get the opportunity to do so as opposed to getting on that specific task immediately. Distraction is the second barrier that exists in communication because everyday life does not come to a halt upon communication with someone. Many distractions consist of noises such as phones or phone calls and other conversations being conducted simultaneously. If a person is distracted with personal issues, it can cause them to fail to pay complete attention to what is being said or asked of them. Finally, false assumption is also a major barrier in effective communication. This is something that happens quite often. False assumption basically means when someone is being given instruction and assumes they know all about what is being asked. When this is done,
Barriers of Effective Communication

people neglect to finish paying attention to detail and may cause them to do what is requested accurately. Is there a difference between listening and hearing? Yes, there is. Hearing requires no effort. It is the ability that most of us are born with. “Hearing defines only the physical measurement of the sound waves that are transmitted to the ear and into the brain where they are processed into audible information. Hearing occurs with or without your consent.” (Hallesvig-Gaskell K. Difference Between Hearing and Listening Skills).
Listening, on the other hand, requires us to pay attention and concentrate on words being spoken to us. “Listening goes far beyond your natural hearing process. It means paying attention to the words that are being spoken with the intention of understanding the other person. Your personal perceptions and prejudices can affect the quality of your listening skills. .” (Hallesvig-Gaskell K. Difference Between Hearing and Listening Skills). In the criminal justice field, communication is very vital. Criminal justice professional have formal and informal forms of communication, although both equally important. Law enforcement personnel pretty much have to master the art of communication in order to conduct their duties effectively. In this field, majority of their communication is conducted through written form. With that being said, written communication is very important. These types of written communication include arrest reports, investigation reports and or follow-ups on said reports, memorandums, and all day-to-day paper work. Oral communication in the criminal justice field is just as important because a big portion of their communication is relayed from regular citizens. Officers have to learn how to
Barriers of Effective Communication

effectively, as well as professionally, communicate with the public in order to effectively serve the public. There are many obstacles that can occur while trying to gather information from a citizen requiring assistance from these professional depending on the situation and the severity of the nature of the call. This goes hand in hand with effective listening skills because this is a perfect example of a major barrier in communication; distractions. Distractions are a major barrier in effective communication for law enforcement officers because most of the time, they are first responders to 911 calls. These distractions can be very difficult to overcome at times because the nature of the scene they may be arriving upon can be very intense. Many times when officers are trying to gather information form people, be it witnesses, victims, and even suspects, people may be distraught or ambulances are coming on scene with sirens going on, people yelling out of fear, pain, things of this nature. So, I guess the question is, what are strategies that can help overcome the barriers that impede from effectively communicating at times. Both written and oral communication skills are very important in the criminal justice field and by practicing on sharpening these skills on a daily basis can only help and improve on these vital skills one needs in this filed. Written communication is effective when proper grammar is used, to include spelling, punctuation, non-repetition so as to not confuse the reader, thing of this nature. Oral communication can also be improved by practicing listening effectively on a daily basis as well. This means providing undivided attention to whoever is speaking to you. Understanding that distractions around you are always going to exist, practicing on learning how

Barriers of Effective Communication

to be able to divert your attention from that and just focusing on who is speaking will only help sharpen those skills. Effective communication is essential in any profession, but vital in any criminal justice organization. Communication can often make or break a case. It can save lives but by the same token, it can also cost lives. It can lead a case into a guilty verdict, or it can have a case thrown out due to either written or oral communication. Communication is vital for everyone’s safety in this field. Everyone gains from practicing effective communication skills. In reality, effective communication is not only a requirement, but it’s what has always instilled in all of us from birth to school to our adulthood. One is never finished learning how to communicate.

Barriers of Effective Communication
References
David K. Beryl, The Process of Communications (New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1960), 12.
Harvey Wallace J.D., Cliff Roberson L.L.M. Written and Interpersonal Communication. Methods for Law Enforcement. The Need for Effective Communication. Ch. 1 2009. Fourth Edition.
Karen Hallesvig-Gaskell. Livestrong.com. The Limitless Potential of You. Difference Between Hearing and Listening Skills. http://www.livestrong.com/article/83661-difference-between-hearing-listening. 2011.

References: David K. Beryl, The Process of Communications (New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1960), 12. Harvey Wallace J.D., Cliff Roberson L.L.M. Written and Interpersonal Communication. Methods for Law Enforcement. The Need for Effective Communication. Ch. 1 2009. Fourth Edition. Karen Hallesvig-Gaskell. Livestrong.com. The Limitless Potential of You. Difference Between Hearing and Listening Skills. http://www.livestrong.com/article/83661-difference-between-hearing-listening. 2011.