Lesson 3: Models of Communication

Communication models describe the process of communication, visually show the relationship among
variables and help find and correct communication problems.

What are the three standard models of communication?

1. Linear Model of Communication (Transmission Model)

The linear model was the first kind of model that experts have made to understand the process of
communication. It has improved and has been updated over the years. The following are the remarkable
characteristics of the linear model:

a.) Unidirectional - Linear model is one-way communication where the speaker sends messages to the
receiver with or without effect. Senders can only transmit messages while receivers can only receive the
messages. This model of communication applies to mass communication.

b.) Simple - This model presents a simple communication acts because the transmission of message
shows only the beginning and the end and that there is no interchanging of roles between the sender
and receiver.

c.) Persuasion not Mutual understanding This model shows the one-way direction of communication
which promotes advice and influence rather than mutual understanding between receiver and sender.
The first three characteristics emphasize the lack of feedback in this model which has been criticized as a
missing element in the communication process

d) Values psychological over social effects: This model focuses more on the psychological effects (such as
understanding the messages) rather than the social effects (like building the relationship among
communicators).

The Shannon-Weaver model (1949), also known as the transmission model and the mother of all
communication models is one best example of a one-way or linear process of communication consisting
of five elements (see diagram below) which have been criticized for missing one element in the
communication process, feedback.

Shannon-Weaver Model acknowledges only 5 elements in the linear process and noise is a kind of
disturbance coming from people, the environment, internal knowledge, beliefs, etc. which hinders the
receiver from getting and understanding the message.

The Shannon-Weaver Model illustration above shows the characteristics of the Linear Model of
Communication. First, as shown in the direction of the arrow, it is a unidirectional or one-way direction
where the speaker sends messages to the receiver with or without effect. Second, it is simple as it only
shows beginning and end of communication, but there is no interchanging of communication roles
between communicators. The first two characteristics emphasize persuasion and understanding the
message rather than mutual understanding and social relationship.

Example of the elements of the Shannon-Weaver Model Elements Example:

Sender: You
Receiver: Your friend channel Your mobile network
Encoder: Your mobile’s network company
Decoder: The receiver’s Smartphone
Noise: Your friend receives only parts of the SMS message you tried
to send due to disruption of mobile signal.

2. Interactive Communication Model

This model, also known as the convergence model or the Schramm Model of Communication
emphasizes the coding and decoding elements of the process which also focuses on the message
exchanges between the sender and receiver and vice versa. Rather than linear or a one-way process,
communication is a two-way street, with a sender and a receiver.

Wilbur Schramm introduced the interactive communication model where he emphasized the need for
the source to encode the message as well as for the receiver to decode the message. These messages
will always be affected by the “field of experience” from various factors namely; social, cultural,
psychological, situational experiences or gained knowledge.

In this model, noise is considered as a form of barrier in communication. The following elements are
included in this model of Communication:

Features of Interactive Communication Model

1. It has a never-ending process of communication and feedback where there is role switching between
the sender and the receiver as they continue the exchange of messages. It means that in the next flow
of communication, the sender may become the receiver while the receiver in the first communication
process becomes the sender in the next communication flow when gives his feedback or response.

2. Feedback is seen as an important part of this model to ensure that communication takes place. With
feedback, it gives the sender the chance to know whether his / her receiver got the message the way
he / she intended it to be understood. Feedback in short, helps communicator to seek for clarification.

3. The field of experience affects the messages being exchanged. It means that the background of the
persons involved in the communication process plays a role in how they interpret the messages received
or how they encode the messages they will be sending.

4. It encourages interaction. This means that the Interactive model triggers the communicators to give
their responses because they share common experiences and thus share a common understanding.

“If there is no commonality in the sender and receiver field of experience. Then, communication does
not take place.”
3. Transactional Communication Model

The Transactional Model of Communication illustrates how the sender and receiver take turns in
conveying and receiving messages and are called as “communicators.”

The sender and receiver’s roles are reversed each time sending and receiving messages occur at the
same time. Since both sender and receiver are necessary to keep the communication alive in
Transactional Model, the communicators are also interdependent to each other. Thus, if the receiver is
not listening to the sender, Transactional Communication is not possible.

Frank Dance (1967) introduced the Helix model that best illustrates the Transactional Model by showing
how the development of communication is based on previous experiences or behaviors as well as how
the knowledge-base of a person deepens and expands throughout life. He emphasized, “that
communication while moving forward is at the same time coming back to itself and being affected by its
past behavior…” Dance’s model also shows how the external and internal factors that are learned
throughout life influence the person’s understanding of a message.

The characteristics of Transactional Model

1. Communication evolves from the very first day (origin) until the existing moment.
2. Communication is largely dependent on its past.
3. Concept of time.
4. Communication process is the product of what we learned.

So, to put it in simple terms, Transactional Model of Communication involves three principles:
1. people send messages continuously and simultaneously
2. communication events that have a past, present, and future, and;
3. participants play certain roles in the conversation.