UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Psychological barriers are internal states such as fear,shyness or low self esteem that block effective communication. The student in the stem knows the answer but remains silent due to fear of ridicule. This emotional factor stops the message from being shared. Therefore the barrier is psychological.

Option A:
Physical barriers relate to the environment rather than feelings.

Option B:
Mechanical barriers involve technical faults,not personal anxiety.

Option C:
The key factor is the student's emotional state,making psychological the correct answer.

Option D:
Semantic barriers come from confusion about meanings of words,which is not the issue here.

Psychological barriers are internal states such as fear,shyness or low self esteem that reduce willingness to communicate. The learner in the stem knows the answer but avoids responding because of shyness. This is a classic example of a psychological barrier. It restricts participation despite adequate knowledge.

Option A:
Physical barriers come from environmental factors like noise or distance,which are not mentioned.

Option B:
Psychological barriers involve emotions like shyness/anxiety that prevent speaking even when understanding is present,so this fits the stem.

Option C:
Mechanical barriers arise from faulty equipment,not emotional hesitations.

Option D:
Semantic barriers involve misunderstandings of language,not fear of speaking.

Psychological barriers arise from internal emotional states and attitudes of the sender or receiver. Fear of exams and low self confidence make students reluctant to speak or clarify doubts. Even if the message is clear,these feelings block participation. Hence the barrier is psychological.

Option A:
Semantic barriers deal with meanings of words and symbols,not with fear or confidence levels. The stem clearly focuses on emotional factors.

Option B:
Psychological barriers include anxiety,hostility or negative attitudes towards the subject. Such feelings reduce effective listening and speaking,so option B fits well.

Option C:
Mechanical barriers are related to equipment and environment,such as poor acoustics,which are not mentioned here.

Option D:
Physical barriers include distance,obstacles or noise,but do not explain why a student is afraid to ask questions.