During a district disaster management relief operation, a field supervisor failed to convey crucial information regarding a critical shortage of medicine kits to the nodal officer. The nodal officer initially attributed this communication failure to the loud noise of emergency power generators and heavy rainfall surrounding the control center. However, a subsequent internal inquiry revealed that the supervisor deliberately avoided reporting the deficit due to an intense fear of receiving a adverse performance appraisal and a belief that senior administrators penalize subordinates who report operational problems.
Which category of communication barrier is primarily responsible for the supervisor's failure to convey the critical information?
- Psychological barrier stemming from individual anxiety, fear of authority, and defensive filtering.Answer
- BPhysical barrier caused by external environmental distractions such as generator sound and rainfall.
- CParalinguistic barrier arising from inappropriate vocal pitch and improper tone modulation during oral reporting.
- DAggressive behavioral barrier resulting from direct verbal confrontation between field staff and administration.
Answer
The breakdown in communication is classified as a psychological barrier, as it was directly caused by fear of authority, fear of negative appraisal, and defensive filtering of bad news.
The primary barrier is psychological because the breakdown originated from internal mental and emotional factors—specifically the supervisor's fear of administrative punishment, perceived lack of psychological safety, and defensive filtering of negative feedback.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Psychological Barriers to Communication