Presentation; Models of Communication.

HMCS 113
Introduction

Communication models are systematic representations of the communication process

which helps in understanding how communication can be accomplished. They form general
perspectives on communication by breaking communication from complex to simple
components in order. A model is referred to as the graphic representation, which is designed
to provide explanation in terms of the ways of the working of the variable. It is a plan, pattern,
representation or description that is designed to depict the structure as well as function of a
concept. When individuals acquire information in terms of models of communication, they
are able to acknowledge the ways which need to be put into operation to carry out the
processes of communication in a well-organized manner. There has been plethora of
communication models which have been proffered in time by noted theorists of different
disciplines; some of these models build on the weaknesses of preceding archetypes. The
following presentation takes into account communication models including the linear model
of communication, the transactional model and the interactive model of communication.
This submission underscores the functions of these models, their strength and their
limitations.

What is Communication?
In order to grasp the nature and functions of the different models of communication, it is
imperative to start by understanding what communication is. Research into communication
theory and practice has led to various definitions of the concept of communication by the
scholarly community. For example:

 Akam (2011) defines communication as a transaction of ideas, directory commands,

or guides into oral or written words or actions by the sender to the receiver in
anticipation of reception of the same message and elicitation of an envisioned
response.

 On the other hand, Wood (2008) defines communication as a systematic process in

which individuals interact with and through symbols to create and interpret meaning.

 Nonetheless, Pearson (2011) proffers communication as a process of using

messages to generate meaning.

Despite variations in the above definitions what is synonymous among them is that
communication has context, modes and channels; communication has two or more
participants using shared symbols that create common understanding and prompt
responses.

To this end, for the purposes of this presentation it is assumed that communication is a
systematic transaction of ideas, commands and knowledge exchanged through various
media channels (emails, memos, word of mouth, letters, the internet, social media and body
language) using shared symbols, mutually intelligible to two or more individuals or groups
for shared understanding and envisioned responses. Communication include forms that
flow among and between individuals or groups. Communication can be verbal, written or
nonverbal

Models of communication have the main objectives of;

 Providing information regarding elements of communication. which are: the sender,

message, channel, receiver, feedback etc.

 Providing information in terms of ways to promote success of communication

processes.

 Generating information in terms of factors that would lead to failure of

communication processes.

 Understanding the complexities of communication processes.

 Measures to bring about improvements in communication processes.

Types of Communication Models
Different methods and channels of communication can be used and the purpose of
communication must be considered before choosing a specific communication model.
Models are used by individuals and business companies to foster their communication,
explore their options and to evaluate their own situations. It is also used to understand how
the receiver will interpret the message.

There are basically three types of communication models in which all other communication
models are mostly categorised:

1.Linear Models of Communication:

Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver (1949).
This is the model which was propounded by Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver
(1949). It has been regarded as one of the important models of communication
(“Mother of all Models of Communication”). In addition, it has been utilized in an
effective manner in the generation of other models as well. It is referred to as the
transmission model of communication. The reason being, the individuals are able to
make use of this model in a manageable way to transfer information. One of the
major benefits of this model is, it involves signal transmission of information. In this
model, the message through the transmitter is transmitted through the channel to
the receiver. Through the receiver, the messages reach its destination. In this model,
the information source is made use of to generate a message, which is to be
communicated out of the set of possible messages (Wilbur, 1966). The messages
may consist of spoken as well as written words. This indicates that this model can
be used in oral and written forms of communication.
In this model, the information sources produce the message to be communicated
out of the set of various types of messages. Through this model, there have been
introduction of concepts, such as, noise, disturbances or errors in transmission.
There is a need to maintain the necessary balance between entropy, which means
the degree of uncertainty and redundancy, which refers to the uniqueness of
information (McQuail, 2005).This implied that for effective communication, the greater
the noise in communication, the greater is the need for building redundancy. The
repetition of the message causes the reduction in the relative entropy or in other
words, the uncertainty in terms of the message. This model was criticised for being
based on the hardware aspect, which is developed for engineering problems and not
for facilitating communication between human beings. Another criticism is, it did not
take into account the element of feedback. The element of feedback is regarded as
vital in making the communication processes complete.

This is a simple one-way communication model. The message flows in a straight line from
sender to receiver. The message can be in form of written or verbal communication such as
public lectures, press releases or radio broadcasts.

Components of Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver (1949)

Linear Communication Model:
Linear model has defined set of components required for a communication to be
established where.
Sender: Is the person who sends a message after encoding.
Encoding: Is the process of converting the message into codes compatible with the channel
and understandable for the receiver.
Decoding: Is the process of changing the encoded message into understandable language
by the receiver
Message: Is the information sent by sender to the receiver
Channel: Is the medium through which the message is sent
Receiver: Is the person who gets the message after decoding
Noise: Is the disruptions that are caused in the communication process in channel or in
understanding ability of the message such as language barriers, physical and psychological
stress, hearing difficulties’.

Other Linear Models of Communication:

Aristotle’s Model:

Aristotle, a great philosopher initiative the earliest mass communication model called
“Aristotle’s Model of Communication”. He proposed mode model before 300 BC who found
the importance of audience role in communication chain in his communication model. This
model is more focused on public speaking than interpersonal communication.

Aristotle advises speaker to build speech for different audience on different audience on
different time (occasion) and for different effects (Anon., n.d.). Speaker plays an important
role in Public speaking. The speaking. The speaker must prepare his speech and analysis
audience needs before he enters into the stage. His words should influence in audience
mind and persuade their thoughts towards him. Aristotle pointed out that the person at the
end of communication process plays the key role to whether or not communication takes
place.

Aristotle Model of Communication is formed with 5 basic elements

Lasswell’s Model (1948)

Lasswell’s model of communication describes an act of communication by defining who
said it, what was said, in what channel it was said, to whom it was said, and with what effect
it was said. It is regarded as by many communication and public relations scholars as one of
the earliest and most influential communication models. The model was developed by
American political scientist and communication theorist Harold Lasswell in 1948 while he
was a professor at Yale Law School. Unlike the model by Aristotle, the major emphasis
of this model is put upon the information that is to be communicated and the
channels, which are made use of in the communication processes (Anon., 2020).The
messages may consist of spoken as well as written words. This indicates that this
model can be used in oral and written forms of communication. Furthermore, this
model implies that more than one channel would be used to carry the message
Components of Lasswell’s Model

Schramm’s Interactive Model of Communication

In his Circular Model Schramm embodied idea that communication is a circular process by
nature. The communication exchange of ideas and meetings takes place both ways from
sender to receiver and vice versa. The communication process take place between humans
or machines in both verbal or non-verbal way. This is a relatively new model of
communication for new technologies like web, the internet.

Schramm conceived of decoding and encoding as activities maintained simultaneously by

sender and receiver; he also made provisions for a two-way interchange of messages
(DeVito, 2013). In this model, encoder originates and sends the message. Decoder receives
the message and interpreter could be any person trying to understand and analyse, perceive
or interpret. From the starting point of communication to the end an interpretation goes on.
This model breaks the traditional sender and receiver models; each person acts as both
sender and receiver and hence uses interpretation. Encoding, decoding and interpretation is
going on simultaneously. Semantic noise is a concept introduced here when sender and
receiver apply different meaning to the same message. It happens mostly because words
and phrases are not understandable, so certain words and phrases will cause you to deviate
from the actual meaning of communication (Akam, 2011).
Transactional model:

The major shortcoming of linear models was that they portrayed communication as flowing
in only one direction, from a sender to a receiver. This suggests that speakers only speak
and never listen. The linear model also implies that listeners only listen and never send
messages (Harvey-Jones, 1988). On the contrary, transactional models of communication
postulates that communication is an exchange of messages between the sender and the
receiver where each take turns to send and receive messages. The model is mostly used for
interpersonal communication. Here, both sender and receiver are known as communicators
and their role reverses each time in the communication processes of sending and receiving
occurs at the same time (Woods, 2008).In face-to-face communication, while you send
messages you’re also receiving messages from your own communications and from the
reactions of the other person. This is also true in phone communication, in instant
messaging, and in chatting

Transactional model:
Conclusion;
Over and above, communication models are systematic representation of the
communication process including how the elements involved in communication such as
sender, message, channel, noise and feedback work together. When individuals acquire
information in terms of models of communication, they are able to acknowledge the ways
which need to be put into operation to carry out the processes of communication in a well-
organized manner. The foregoing discussion has highlighted some of the notable
communication models which have been postulated by scholars from different schools.
These models include the linear model of communication, the transactional model and the
interactive model of communication. This submission accentuated the functions of the
models, their strength and their limitations.

REFERENCES

Akam, V., 2011. Business Communication Today. 2nd ed. New York: Prentice-Hall.

Anon., 2020. Lasswell Communication Model. [Online] Available at: toolshero.com

[Accessed 7 January 2021].

Aristotle, 350BC. Rhetoric. s.l.:The Internet Classic Archive.

DeVito, J., 2013. Interpersonal Communication Book. s.l.:Pearson.

Flesch, R., 1996. The art of plain talk. New York: Harper Brothers Publishers.

Harvey-Jones, J., 1988. Making It Happen: Reflections on Leadership. London: Collins.

McQuail, D., 2005. McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory. s.l.:Sage Publications.

Pearson, J. C., Nelson, P. E., Titsworth, S. & Harter, L., 2011. Human Communication. New
York: McGraw-Hill.

Wilbur, S., 1966. How Communication Works. The Process and Effects of Mass
Communication. Illinois: The University of Illinois Press.

Woods, J. T., 2008. Communication In Our Lives. Boston: Lachina Publishing.