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. Communication models can sometimes encourage traditional thinking and stereotyping but can also omit some major aspects of human communication.
Methods and channels of communication to be used and the purpose of communication, must be considered before choosing a specific communication model. Models are used by business companies and other firms to foster their communication, explore their options and to evaluate their own situations. It is also used to understand how the receivers will interpret the message.
Types of Communication Model:
Linear Model of Communication:
The Linear Model of Communication is one of the earliest and simplest models used to explain the communication process. It presents communication as a one-way process, in which information moves from a sender to a receiver through a selected channel. The sender develops and transmits a message, while the receiver receives and interprets it. This model generally does not emphasize feedback, making it suitable for situations where communication is primarily one-directional. It highlights important elements such as sender, message, channel, receiver, and noise. The model provides a basic understanding of how information is transmitted and forms the foundation for studying more advanced communication models.
1. Aristotle’s Model of Communication
Aristotle’s Model is one of the earliest models of communication, mainly designed to explain public speaking and persuasion. It consists of three major elements: Speaker, Speech, and Audience. The speaker develops and delivers a message or speech to influence the audience. The effectiveness of communication depends largely on the speaker’s ability, subject knowledge, presentation, and persuasive skills. The model is linear and one-way, as it does not give importance to feedback. It is particularly useful in business presentations, speeches, meetings, advertising, and public relations, where the communicator aims to inform, persuade, or motivate an audience.
2. Lasswell’s Model of Communication
Lasswell’s Model was developed by Harold D. Lasswell in 1948 to explain communication through five basic questions: Who, Says What, In Which Channel, To Whom, and With What Effect? “Who” represents the communicator or sender, while “Says What” refers to the message. “In Which Channel” identifies the medium used, such as television, email, or speech. “To Whom” represents the receiver or audience, and “With What Effect” indicates the outcome of communication. The model is linear and one-directional. It is useful for analysing mass communication, advertising, marketing, public relations, and business communication.
3. Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication
The Shannon-Weaver Model was developed by Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver in 1949. It explains communication as a process involving Information Source, Transmitter, Signal, Channel, Receiver, and Destination. The sender produces information, which is converted into a signal by the transmitter and sent through a channel. The receiver then converts the signal back into information for the destination. An important contribution of this model is the concept of Noise, which may interfere with the message during transmission. Noise can be physical, technical, or semantic. The model is useful for understanding telephone, electronic, digital, and organizational communication.
4. Berlo’s SMCR Model
Berlo’s SMCR Model, developed by David K. Berlo in 1960, explains communication through four major components: Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver (SMCR). The Source creates and sends the message, while the Message contains the information being communicated. The Channel represents the medium through which the message travels, such as hearing, seeing, touching, or other sensory methods. The Receiver receives and interprets the message. Berlo emphasized factors such as communication skills, attitude, knowledge, social system, and culture, which can influence communication effectiveness. The model is useful in analysing interpersonal and organizational communication.
5. David Berlo’s Model
David Berlo’s Model provides a systematic explanation of how communication takes place between a source and receiver. It emphasizes that communication effectiveness depends on the characteristics of both the communicator and the recipient. The model includes four main components: Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver. Each component contains important factors. For example, the source and receiver are influenced by communication skills, attitude, knowledge, social system, and culture. The message involves elements such as content, structure, treatment, and code. Channels involve the senses through which information is received. The model helps explain barriers and effectiveness in business communication.
Transactional Model of Communication:
The Transactional Model of Communication views communication as a dynamic, continuous, and two-way process in which participants simultaneously send, receive, and interpret messages. Unlike the linear model, it gives importance to feedback, context, noise, and shared meaning. Both participants act as communicators rather than simply as sender and receiver. Communication is influenced by social, cultural, psychological, and physical factors. This model is particularly relevant to business communication, where managers, employees, customers, and other stakeholders continuously interact. Major transactional models include Barnlund’s Transactional Model, Dance’s Helical Model, and Becker’s Mosaic Model.
1. Barnlund’s Transactional Model
Barnlund’s Transactional Model was developed by Dean C. Barnlund and explains communication as a continuous, simultaneous, and two-way process. According to the model, individuals continuously send and receive verbal and non-verbal messages while interpreting signals from their environment. Communication is influenced by public cues, private cues, and behavioural cues. Public cues come from the surrounding environment, while private cues arise from an individual’s thoughts and feelings. Behavioural cues include verbal and non-verbal responses. The model emphasizes feedback, context, meaning, and interaction. It is useful for understanding face-to-face communication, meetings, interviews, and interpersonal business communication.
2. Dance’s Helical Model
Dance’s Helical Model, developed by Frank Dance, explains communication as a continuous and developing process. It represents communication through a helix, showing that communication begins simply and gradually becomes more complex as people gain experience. According to the model, every communication experience influences future communication. Therefore, communication is not a series of separate events but an ongoing process. The model emphasizes time, experience, learning, and development. For example, repeated interaction between a manager and employee can improve their mutual understanding and communication skills. The model is useful in understanding long-term relationships, organizational communication, and interpersonal development.
3. Becker’s Mosaic Model
Becker’s Mosaic Model, developed by W. B. Becker, views communication as a complex and continuously changing process involving many interconnected messages and experiences. The model suggests that communication does not occur through a simple, fixed sequence. Instead, individuals receive and interpret numerous pieces of information from different sources. These pieces contribute to the development of meaning and understanding. Past experiences, present situations, and environmental influences can affect how messages are interpreted. The model highlights the complexity, interdependence, and dynamic nature of communication. It is useful for understanding organizational communication, interpersonal interactions, media communication, and information processing.
Interactive Model of Communication:
Other Communication Models
- Dance’s Helical Spiral of Communication
In 1967, Dance made a communication model based on a helix known as helical model. He explains how a child learns to communicate and the child grows up and continues to communicate. Communication depends on previous experiences and activities of the speaker according to this model.
- Westley and MacLean’s Conceptual Model
Westley and MacLean’s model explains the difference between interpersonal and mass communication as feedback. Feedback can be direct in interpersonal communication whereas indirect in mass communication. According to this model, communication starts from the environment and not when the message is spoken or shown.
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