Communication Models 1
Communication Models 1
Dimagiba Swift
Communication
Models
Communication models are
systematic representations of the
process which helps in understanding
how communication works can be
done. Models show the process
metaphorically and in symbols. They
form general perspectives on
communication by breaking
communication from complex to
simple and keeps the components in
order.
Linear Model
Interactive Model
Transactional Model
Linear Communication Model
Linear Model
The linear model shows how one-way communication works. it
means only the sender is allowed to send the message, and also
the recipient’s role is to receive the message only. This
communication model is related to the Shannon and Weaver
Communication Model, which claims that human communication is
counteracted into six main concepts: sender, encoder, path, noise,
decoder, and receiver. Norbert Weiner’s later version of the
speculation introduced the 7th principle (feedback), which changed
the model from linear to a cyclical model.
Laswell’s model aims to answer the following 5 important questions regarding its elements
1. Who created the message?
2. What did they say?
3. What channel did they use (TV, radio, blog)?
4. To whom did they say it?
5. What effect did it have on the receiver?
The most popular model of
communication. Shannon and Weaver
were the first to introduce the role of
noise in the communication process. In
his book Introduction to
Communication Studies, John Fiske
defines noise as “anything that is
added to the signal between its
transmission and reception that is not
intended by the source.”
The noise appears in the form of
mishearing a conversation, misspelling
an email, or static on a radio
broadcast.
Berlo’s model of communication is unique in the sense that it gives a
detailed account of the key elements in each step.
Interactive Communication
Model
Interactive
Communication Model
Also called the convergence model (sharing
and talking). This relies on an exchange of
messages from the sender to the receiver and
from the receiver to the sender, and back
again. The exchanging requires feedback,
which is lacking in the linear model.
This model differs from the previous models as it emphasizes the importance of
context in a communication process.
Barnlund’s Transactional Model
explores interpersonal, immediate-
feedback communication, and is a
multi-layered feedback system.
That means that the sender and the
receiver change their places and
are equally important. Feedback for
the sender is the reply for the
receiver, and both communicators
provide feedback.
This model accentuates the role of cues in impacting our messages. So, Barnlund
differentiates between: Public cues (environmental cues), Private cues (person’s personal
thoughts and background), and Behavioral cues (person’s behavior, that can be verbal
and nonverbal). All these cues, as well as the environment, and noise, are part of the
message. Each communicator’s reaction depends on their background, experiences,
attitudes, and beliefs.
According to Dance’s Helical
Model, communication is seen as a
circular process that gets more and
more complex as communication
progresses. That is why it is
represented by a helical spiral.
With every cycle of communication,
we expand our circle, and each
communication encounter is
different from the previous one
because
communication never repeats itself. Additionally, in the process of communication, the
feedback we get from the other party involved influences our next statement and we
become more knowledgeable with every new cycle.
Synthesis
Linear models — they see communication as a
one-way process. These are mainly used in
marketing, sales, and PR, in communication
with customers.
Interactive models — used in internet-based
and mediated communication, they refer to
two-way communication with indirect
feedback.
Transactional models — as most dynamic
communication models, these are the most
complex models of communication, which best
reflect the communication process.
Aristotle argues that we should look at five elements of a
Aristotle’s
1. Linear communication event to analyze how best to communicate:
Model
speaker, speech, occasion, target audience, and effect.