What is an example of a physical distraction in communication?

A physical distraction in communication refers to any external factor that diverts attention from the message being communicated. The example of colleagues arguing in the background effectively represents a physical distraction because it involves an audible interruption that can capture the listener's attention and hinder their ability to focus on the main communication. This type of distraction can prevent the exchange of information from being smooth and can lead to misunderstandings or a lack of retention of the key points being discussed.

In contrast, the other options pertain more to internal factors or issues related to how the message is conveyed rather than an external distraction. Unclear speech may lead to confusion but does not distract from communication in the same way as an external noise does. A lack of emotional response can affect the interpretative quality of communication but is not a physical distraction in nature. Excessive feedback can make communication cumbersome but still does not evoke the same disruptive influence as a physical noise would. Therefore, the context of a physical distraction aligns directly with the scenario of colleagues arguing in the background.