In the senderreceiver communications model what is it called - SHRM-SCP Prep

Correct Answer: D. Noise

In the sender-receiver communication model, "noise" refers to anything that interferes with or distorts the transmission or interpretation of a message. It can be physical (e.g., background sounds), psychological (e.g., biases, stress), or semantic (e.g., unclear language). Noise disrupts communication flow, leading to misunderstandings. Effective communicators must identify and minimize noise to ensure the message is clearly understood. In communication theory, "noise" is the technical term encompassing all such disruptions within the communication process.

 Why the Other Choices Are Incorrect:

• A. Poor listening: Incorrect because poor listening is a result of noise, not the noise itself. While it contributes to breakdowns in communication, it is too narrow to describe the broad range of potential interferences in the sender-receiver model. It reflects a receiver-specific issue rather than systemic interference.
• B. Blocking: Incorrect because “blocking” is not a recognized term within the standard communication model. It may imply intentional refusal to engage or a defensive behavior, but it does not encompass unintentional or broad interferences that affect communication channels like "noise" does.
• C. Lack of attention: Incorrect because like poor listening, it’s a specific psychological factor that can lead to miscommunication. However, it does not capture the full spectrum of communication barriers—like environmental distractions or semantic misunderstandings—that are all included under "noise."