Communication Models

Communication Models How we try to understand communication

What are models? • Drawings • Charts • Diagrams • Pictograms • Schematics • Cartoons Models represent relationships, flows, structures, or interactions.

Why are models useful? • They help simplify complex ideas • For teaching purposes • For evaluation purposes • They offer an organized way of looking at a complex process

What makes a model “good”? • All the main points of the relationship or process are described • The description is simple and clear • The description contains as little textual explanation as possible

The Shannon and Weaver Communication Model

Modified S&W Model of Human Communication

Noise in the Modified Shannon and Weaver Model • Physical: • Occurrences in the physical surroundings or in the media that can distort a message • Physiological: • Physical discomfort in the body of either the sender or the receiver • Psychological: • Negative feelings in the mind of either the sender or the receiver

Noise, cont’d • Perceptual • Incorrect perceptions of the message and the receiver by the sender, and vice-versa • Semantic • Misinterpretation of words and sentences by the sender or receiver

Berlo’s SMCR Model • SOURCE • MESSAGE • CHANNEL • RECEIVER Four elements in the communication process

Berlo’s Elements, cont’d. • SOURCE • Communication skills • Attitudes • Knowledge • Social system • Culture

Berlo’s Elements, cont’d. • MESSAGE • Content • Elements • Treatment • Structure • Code

Berlo’s Elements, cont’d. • CHANNEL • Seeing • Hearing • Touching • Smelling • Tasting

Berlo’s Elements, cont’d. • RECEIVER • Communication skills • Attitudes • Knowledge • Social system • Culture

Communication Models