Models of Communication

Negrusa AdelinaVoica Alina

LMA I

RepresentationsIn communication: the simplification of a complex subject

Aim to present communication as a process

Models

“Communication models are merely pictures; they are even distorting pictures, because they stop or freeze an essentially interactive or transactional process into a static picture.”

(C. David Mortensen)

“Models simplify reality, select key elements, and indicate relationships”.

(Denis McQuail and Sven Windahl )

Linear ModelsInteractive ModelsTransactional Models

Three types of Communication Models:

The Linear (Transmission) Model

The destination is passiveCommunication always intended

No interpretation of the message

No feedback and contextNo medium

Weaknesses:

Laswell’s Formula

Example:

CNN NEWS – A water leak from Japan’s tsunami-crippled nuclear power station resulted in about 100 times the permitted level of radioactive material flowing into the sea, operator Tokyo Electric Power Co said on Saturday.

Shannon and Weaver’s Model

Examples: using the radio, newspapers or the telephone.

On the telephone:-you speak-phone turns sound waves into electrical

impulses-carried through the landline-the other phone turns them back into sound

waves-the other person receives the message

The Interactive Model

Example: Let’s observe a simple chat between a boy and a girl who had their first date.

Mary: I had the time of my life with you last night…. Mark: Aha. Me too Mary: Will you consider going out with me again?Mark: Yeah why not Mary: If you don’t want to it’s fine with me. I don’t mind. Really. Just say it… Mark: Brb …

Last message received 2 hours ago

Mark signed out

The Transactional Model

Which Model of Communication, the Interactive or the Transactional, is more needed and useful in our lives?

Interaction with others

gives our lives meaning.

Simplified representations

ClarifyLead to new discoveriesHighly practical

Advantages of Models

Over simplificationSubstitutes of the real item

Limit further exploration

Limitations

In communication many things can, and frequently do, go wrong

BUT

by studying these Models of Communication we can perfect different skills at different points in the communication process.

Bibliography: C. David Mortensen, Communication: The Study of Human

Communication (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1972) Julia T. Wood, Communication Mosaics: An Introduction to the

Field of Communication (Boston, MA : Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011)

Denis McQuail and Sven Windahl, Communication Models: For the Study of Mass Communication (New York: Longman Publishing Group, 1993)

 Various Internet Sites

Bibliography: