What could prevent a message from being acted upon by the receiver?

The choice indicating that the receiver created an obstruction highlights a critical factor in communication barriers. For a message to be effectively acted upon, the receiver must be open to receiving and processing the information. If the receiver creates an obstruction, this could manifest as a lack of interest, distraction, misunderstanding, or even deliberate resistance to the message. Such barriers hinder the receiver’s ability to comprehend the message, which ultimately prevents them from taking any action based on its content.

In contrast, if the receiver is fully engaged, or if the sender communicated clearly and the message was well-structured, these conditions would facilitate effective communication. A fully engaged receiver is more likely to understand and act on the information, while clear communication from the sender and a well-organized message enhance clarity and reduce the chances of misinterpretation. Thus, the presence of an obstruction created by the receiver stands out as a significant obstacle to taking action on a message.