Models of Communication

• models


  A selective representation in verbal or diagrammatic form of some aspect of the dynamic process of mass communication
• models of communication provide us with a visual representation of the different aspects of a communication situation
• Communication is a complex process, so models simplify the process of understanding communication
• How communication models can help with work communication

  • Think about communication situations more deliberately
  • Learn from previous experiences
  • Better prepare for future communication situations
• Eight major communication models

  • Linear models
  • Interactive models
  • Transactional models
• Linear models of communication


  Communication takes place only in one direction
• Main elements in linear models


  • The channel
  • The sender
  • The receiver
  • Noise
• Aristotle's model of communication


  • Focuses on the sender who passes on their message to the receiver
  • The sender is the only active member, the audience is passive
• Ethos


  Defines the credibility of the speaker
• Pathos


  Connects the speaker with the audience through different emotions
• Logos


  Signifies logic - the speech needs to follow the rules of logic
• Components of Aristotle's communication situation


  • Speaker
  • Speech
  • Occasion
  • Target audience
  • Effect
• Lasswell's communication model


  Views communication as the transmission of a message with the effect as the result
• Main elements of Lasswell's communication model

  • Who created the message?
  • What did they say?
  • What channel did they use?
  • To whom did they say it?
  • What effect did it have on the receiver?
• Shannon-Weaver communication model


  A mathematical communication concept that proposes communication is a linear, one-way process
• Key concepts in Shannon-Weaver model


  • Sender
  • Encoder
  • Channel
  • Decoder
  • Receiver
• Feedback in updated Shannon-Weaver model

  The transfer of the receiver's reaction back to the sender, allowing the speaker to modify their performance
• Berlo's S-M-C-R model of communication


  A linear model that suggests communication is the transfer of information between 4 basic steps: source, message, channel, and receiver
• Elements of the source in Berlo's model

  • Communication skills
  • Attitude
  • Knowledge
  • Social system
  • Culture
• Elements of the message in Berlo's model

  • Content
  • Elements (gestures, body language, facial expressions)
  • Treatment
  • Structure
  • Code
• Channels in Berlo's model

  • Hearing
  • Taste
  • Sight
  • Smell
  • Touch
• Receiver in Berlo's model


  The person the source is speaking to, the destination of the conveyed message
• Interactive models of communication


  Used in internet-based and mediated communication, refer to two-way communication with feedback
• Main elements of interactive communication models

  • Sender
  • Message
  • Receiver
  • Feedback
  • Field of experience
• Receiver


  The person the source is speaking to - the destination of the conveyed message
• To understand the message, the receiver should involve the same elements as the source
• Interactive models of communication


  Used in internet-based and mediated communication such as telephone conversations, letters, etc.
• Interactive communication models


  Refer to two-way communication with feedback
• Feedback within interactive communication models is not simultaneous, but rather slow and indirect
• Main elements of interactive communication models

  • Sender
  • Message
  • Receiver
  • Feedback
  • Field of experience
• Osgood-Schramm model of communication


  A circular model of communication, in which messages go in two directions between encoding and decoding
• The Osgood-Schramm model is useful for describing synchronous, interpersonal communication, but less suitable for cases with little or no feedback
• In the Osgood-Schramm communication model, there is no difference between a sender and a receiver. Both parties are equally encoding and decoding the messages
• The interpreter is the person trying to understand the message at that moment
• Information is of no use until it is put into words and conveyed to other people
• Main principles and steps in the Osgood-Schramm communication process

  • Communication is circular - individuals involved in the communication process are changing their roles as encoders and decoders
  • Communication is equal and reciprocal - both parties are equally engaged as encoders and decoders
  • The message requires interpretation - the information needs to be properly interpreted to be understood
  • 3 steps: encoding, decoding, and interpreting
• Westley and MacLean model of communication


  Primarily used for explaining mass communication
• The Westley and MacLean communication model suggests that the communication process does not start with the source/sender, but rather with environmental factors
• This model also takes into account the object of the orientation (background, culture, and beliefs) of the sender and the receiver of messages
• 9 key elements of the Westley and MacLean communication model

  • Environment (X)
  • Sensory Experience (X¹)
  • Source/Sender (A)
  • The object of the orientation of the source (X²)
  • Receiver (B)
  • The object of the orientation of the receiver (X³)
  • Feedback (F)
  • Gatekeepers (C)
  • Opinion Leaders