1.2 Communication Models and Theories
3 min read•august 7, 2024
Communication models and theories help us understand how we exchange information. From simple one-way transmission to complex back-and-forth interactions, these concepts explain the process of sharing ideas and creating meaning.
Linear, interactive, and transactional models show how communication has evolved. Theories like and reveal how we build shared understanding through and symbols. These ideas are key to grasping communication basics.
Communication Models
Linear and Interactive Models
Top images from around the web for Linear and Interactive Models
Communications Process: Encoding and Decoding – Communication for Business Professionals View original
Is this image relevant?
Defining Communication | Introduction to Communication View original
Is this image relevant?
Unit 2: The Communication Process – Communication Skills View original
Is this image relevant?
Communications Process: Encoding and Decoding – Communication for Business Professionals View original
Is this image relevant?
Defining Communication | Introduction to Communication View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Linear and Interactive Models
Communications Process: Encoding and Decoding – Communication for Business Professionals View original
Is this image relevant?
Defining Communication | Introduction to Communication View original
Is this image relevant?
Unit 2: The Communication Process – Communication Skills View original
Is this image relevant?
Communications Process: Encoding and Decoding – Communication for Business Professionals View original
Is this image relevant?
Defining Communication | Introduction to Communication View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- views communication as a one-way process where a sender transmits a message to a receiver
- builds on the linear model by adding from the receiver back to the sender
- Interactive model recognizes communication as a two-way process rather than just one-way transmission
- Both linear and interactive models have limitations in capturing the complexity of real-world communication (face-to-face conversations)
Transactional Model
- views communication as a cooperative process where meaning is co-created by participants
- Recognizes that all parties in communication are simultaneously sending and receiving messages verbally and nonverbally
- Emphasizes the dynamic, ongoing nature of communication rather than discrete messages sent and received
- Transactional model better captures the fluid back-and-forth of many communication situations (group discussions, negotiations)
Shannon-Weaver and Berlo's SMCR Models
- introduced the concept of , which can disrupt or distort a message at any stage of the communication process
- Examples of noise include physical noise (loud sounds), semantic noise (language barriers), and psychological noise (mental distractions)
- stands for Source, Message, Channel, Receiver and adds more factors that influence each component
- Source and Receiver factors include communication skills, attitudes, knowledge, social system, and culture
- Message factors include content, elements, treatment, structure, and code
- Channel refers to the five senses (seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting) used to interpret the message
Schramm's Model
- emphasizes the role of and understanding in communication
- For successful communication, the sender must encode a message that the receiver can decode and interpret as intended
- Schramm introduced the concept of , referring to each person's background, perceptions, and experiences that shape how they encode and decode messages
- Greater overlap in fields of experience facilitates shared understanding, while less overlap can lead to miscommunication
- Schramm's model highlights the subjective nature of meaning and the importance of considering the receiver's perspective
Communication Theories
Constructivism
- Constructivism posits that reality and meaning are constructed through social interactions and rather than existing objectively
- Knowledge is not discovered but created collaboratively by individuals and groups as they interact and communicate
- Constructivism emphasizes the role of culture, context, and individual experiences in shaping perceptions and understandings
- In a constructivist view, multiple interpretations of the same event or information are possible based on different social constructions (political ideologies, religious beliefs)
Symbolic Interactionism
- Symbolic interactionism focuses on how people use symbols (words, gestures, objects) to create and communicate meaning in social interactions
- Meaning is not inherent in symbols but arises from how people interpret and respond to them in a given context
- People act toward things based on the meanings they assign to those things, which are influenced by social norms and personal experiences
- Symbolic interactionism emphasizes the role of language and social roles in shaping identity and behavior
- Examples of symbols include wedding rings (symbolizing marriage), flags (representing nations), and uniforms (signifying occupations or status)
Key Terms to Review (18)
Berlo's SMCR Model: Berlo's SMCR Model is a communication framework that outlines the components involved in the communication process: Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver. This model emphasizes the importance of each component in ensuring effective communication, highlighting how the source's skills, attitudes, and knowledge shape the message and influence its reception by the receiver. By understanding these elements, one can improve communication effectiveness in both formal and informal settings.
Constructivism: Constructivism is a learning theory that posits individuals construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflection. This approach emphasizes the active role of learners in the process of understanding, suggesting that knowledge is not passively absorbed but actively built through interactions with others and the environment.
Cultural Context: Cultural context refers to the beliefs, values, norms, and social practices that shape a person's or a group's worldview and behavior. It plays a crucial role in communication as it influences how messages are interpreted and understood by both senders and receivers, ultimately affecting interactions in various settings.
Decoding: Decoding is the process by which a receiver interprets and makes sense of the messages they receive from a sender. It involves translating the symbols, words, and gestures into meaning, allowing effective communication to occur. This process is crucial as it directly affects how messages are understood, influencing various aspects of communication such as clarity, context, and feedback.
Encoding: Encoding is the process of transforming thoughts and ideas into a communicable format, such as words, gestures, or symbols. This is a crucial step in communication as it influences how messages are perceived and understood by the receiver. The way encoding is done can vary significantly based on the context and medium, impacting the clarity and effectiveness of the communication process.
Feedback: Feedback is the response or reaction given by an audience to a sender's message, which can help shape future communication. It plays a crucial role in enhancing understanding and improving the effectiveness of communication by allowing individuals to adjust their messages based on the reactions they receive. This interaction is vital across various forms of communication and impacts both personal and professional relationships.
Fields of experience: Fields of experience refer to the unique personal backgrounds, cultural contexts, and life experiences that individuals bring to communication interactions. This concept emphasizes that effective communication occurs when the sender and receiver share overlapping fields of experience, leading to better understanding and interpretation of messages. It highlights the importance of considering individual perspectives in communication models and theories.
Interactive model: The interactive model of communication is a framework that describes the process of communication as a two-way exchange where both parties act as senders and receivers. This model emphasizes feedback and context, recognizing that communication is dynamic and involves the influence of both participants' interpretations and responses.
Interpretation: Interpretation refers to the process of making sense of and deriving meaning from messages, symbols, or information in communication. It involves analyzing and contextualizing the content delivered by a sender to extract insights and understanding, often influenced by cultural and personal backgrounds. This process is crucial for effective communication, as it helps bridge gaps between diverse perspectives and enhances clarity in global exchanges.
Linear model: The linear model is a foundational communication theory that depicts communication as a one-way process where a sender transmits a message through a channel to a receiver without feedback. This model simplifies the complexity of human interaction by illustrating the basic elements involved: sender, message, channel, and receiver. While it highlights essential aspects of communication, it also overlooks the dynamic and interactive nature of real-life exchanges.
Meaning Creation: Meaning creation is the process by which individuals interpret and assign significance to messages, symbols, and experiences during communication. This concept highlights how context, culture, and personal experiences influence how meaning is understood, leading to varied interpretations among different people. Understanding meaning creation is essential for effective communication, as it recognizes that messages do not have fixed meanings but are shaped by the interaction between the sender and receiver.
Noise: In communication, noise refers to any interference that disrupts the clarity or effectiveness of a message being transmitted from a sender to a receiver. This interference can stem from various sources, including physical distractions, emotional states, or misunderstandings, impacting both verbal and nonverbal communication processes.
Schramm's Model: Schramm's Model of communication emphasizes the dynamic process of sharing information between a sender and a receiver, highlighting the role of mutual understanding in effective communication. This model introduces the concept of 'fields of experience,' which refers to the backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences that both parties bring to the communication process, influencing how messages are encoded and decoded.
Shannon-Weaver Model: The Shannon-Weaver Model is a foundational theory of communication that illustrates the process of transmitting messages through a sender, channel, receiver, and feedback. It highlights the importance of encoding and decoding messages, while also acknowledging potential noise that can distort communication. This model is critical for understanding both formal and informal communication networks, emphasizing how information flows and how barriers can affect message clarity.
Shared language: Shared language refers to a common set of words, phrases, and meanings that a group of people use to communicate effectively. This concept is vital in establishing understanding, fostering connections, and creating a sense of community among individuals. The role of shared language extends beyond mere vocabulary; it encompasses cultural nuances, context, and the emotional weight of words, all of which enhance the clarity and depth of communication.
Social Interactions: Social interactions are the ways in which people communicate and relate to one another, forming the basis of human relationships and societal structures. These interactions can be verbal or non-verbal, direct or indirect, and can occur in various contexts, influencing both individual behaviors and group dynamics. Understanding social interactions is essential for analyzing communication models and theories that seek to explain how information is exchanged and how relationships are built within different social settings.
Symbolic interactionism: Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that focuses on the meanings individuals derive from social interactions and the symbols used in communication. This theory emphasizes how people create, interpret, and share meanings through their interactions, highlighting the role of language, gestures, and symbols in shaping human behavior and societal norms. It's essential for understanding how personal identities and social realities are constructed through communication.
Transactional model: The transactional model of communication is a dynamic framework that views communication as a continuous process where all participants are simultaneously senders and receivers of messages. It emphasizes the interdependence of communicators, showing how their backgrounds, experiences, and contexts shape the interaction, thus creating shared meaning. This model highlights that communication is not a one-way street but an ongoing exchange where feedback influences future messages.