INTERFERENCE IN COMMUNICATION

Interference is any barrier to the communication transaction. External or internal

interference distracts listeners from the message. External interference refers to barriers
occurring outside the speaker or the listener and may be auditory or visual. For example, your
stereo is external auditory interference when it distracts you from what your roommate is saying.
In the classroom, external auditory interference may be a result of loud fans, classmates
whispering among themselves, traffic outside, an airplane flying overhead, or people talking in
the hallway. External visual interference may occur when a classmate enters the room while you
are presenting your speech, when a police officer makes an arrest outside your classroom
window, or when audience members are passing notes.

It is not always possible to eliminate external interference, but effective public speakers
attempt to reduce its potential impact. They might close the classroom door to reduce the level of
noise coming from the hallway, speak louder above the noise of fans, or pause as the airplane
flies over. Good speakers also modify their delivery to reduce the potential for internal
interference, which may be physical or psychological and may occur within the speaker as well
as within the listeners. Perhaps one of your listeners has a distracting headache, is worried about
a test coming up next period, or is looking forward to lunch. As the speaker, you may also
experience internal interference. You may have stayed up late rehearsing the speech and your
resulting fatigue may cause you to lose your concentration. Or you may be worrying about how
you look or sound like to your listeners instead of focusing on your message.

Effective public speakers consider each element of the transactional model of

communication and how it might help or hurt their presentation. They seek to adapt their
message to the communication situation and audience, offer their ideas using multiple channels,
read and adjust feedback, and limit the potential of external and internal interference than can
impede listeners’ understanding.

From:

Sellnow, Deanna D. (2005). Confident public speaking. Wadsworth Publication. CA:USA.