Which of the following is considered a barrier to effective listening?

Distractions and preconceptions are indeed key barriers to effective listening. Effective listening requires the listener to be fully engaged, not only with the words being spoken but also with the context and emotions presented. When a listener is distracted—whether by external noise, their own thoughts, or other environmental factors—they may miss crucial information or fail to fully understand the speaker's message.

Additionally, preconceptions can hinder a listener's ability to take in new information objectively, as they might filter what they hear through their existing beliefs and judgments. This can lead to misunderstandings or a lack of openness to the speaker's perspective. Therefore, being aware of and actively working to minimize distractions and challenge preconceptions is essential for fostering effective communication and truly understanding the message being conveyed.