Communication Model It describes what is necessary for an act of communication to take place. It describes what is necessary for an act of communication to take place. A model represents the major features and eliminates the unnecessary details of communication. A model represents the major features and eliminates the unnecessary details of communication.

Functions of Communication Models To clarify the scope of human interaction showing it to be a circular, complex, continuous dynamic, or a coding process. To clarify the scope of human interaction showing it to be a circular, complex, continuous dynamic, or a coding process. To point out where to book and under what conditions to analyze different responses. To point out where to book and under what conditions to analyze different responses. To show the variables in human communication. To show the variables in human communication. Used as a frame work in researches. Used as a frame work in researches.

The Shannon and Weaver Model Claude Shannon Claude Shannon Warren Weaver Warren Weaver

The Transmission Model

Elements of the Model An information source, which produces a message. An information source, which produces a message. A transmitter, which encodes the message into signals A transmitter, which encodes the message into signals A channel, to which signals are adapted for transmission A channel, to which signals are adapted for transmission A receiver, which 'decodes' (reconstructs) the message from the signal. A receiver, which 'decodes' (reconstructs) the message from the signal. A destination, where the message arrives. A destination, where the message arrives.

dysfunctional factor A sixth element, noise is a dysfunctional factor: any interference with the message travelling along the channel which may lead to the signal received being different from that sent. A sixth element, noise is a dysfunctional factor: any interference with the message travelling along the channel which may lead to the signal received being different from that sent.

Examples For the telephone; For the telephone; the channel is a wire, the channel is a wire, the signal is an electrical current in it, and the signal is an electrical current in it, and the transmitter and receiver are the telephone handsets. the transmitter and receiver are the telephone handsets. Noise would include crackling from the wire. Noise would include crackling from the wire. In conversation, my mouth is the transmitter, the signal is the sound waves, and your ear is the receiver. Noise would include any distraction you might experience as I speak. In conversation, my mouth is the transmitter, the signal is the sound waves, and your ear is the receiver. Noise would include any distraction you might experience as I speak.

Advantages of Shannon and Weaver's model simplicity, simplicity, generality, generality,

Weaknesses of the transmission model of communication Linearity Linearity The transmission model fixes and separates the roles of 'sender' and 'receiver'. The transmission model fixes and separates the roles of 'sender' and 'receiver'. But communication between two people involves simultaneous 'sending' and 'receiving' (not only talking, but also 'body language' and so on). But communication between two people involves simultaneous 'sending' and 'receiving' (not only talking, but also 'body language' and so on). In Shannon and Weaver's model the source is seen as the active decision-maker who determines the meaning of the message; the destination is the passive target. In Shannon and Weaver's model the source is seen as the active decision-maker who determines the meaning of the message; the destination is the passive target.

Linearity It is a linear, one-way model, ascribing a secondary role to the 'receiver', who is seen as absorbing information. It is a linear, one-way model, ascribing a secondary role to the 'receiver', who is seen as absorbing information. communication is not a one-way street. Even when we are simply listening to the radio, reading a book or watching TV we are far more interpretively active than we normally realize. communication is not a one-way street. Even when we are simply listening to the radio, reading a book or watching TV we are far more interpretively active than we normally realize.

Feedback There was no provision in the original model for feedback (reaction from the receiver). There was no provision in the original model for feedback (reaction from the receiver). Feedback enables speakers to adjust their performance to the needs and responses of their audience. Feedback enables speakers to adjust their performance to the needs and responses of their audience.

Content and meaning transmission models tend to equate content and meaning, whereas there may be varying degrees of divergence between the 'intended meaning' and the meanings generated by interpreters transmission models tend to equate content and meaning, whereas there may be varying degrees of divergence between the 'intended meaning' and the meanings generated by interpreters It is widely assumed that meaning is contained in the 'message' rather than in its interpretation.. It is widely assumed that meaning is contained in the 'message' rather than in its interpretation..

Meaning But there is no single, fixed meaning in any message. We bring varying attitudes, expectations and understandings to communicative situations. But there is no single, fixed meaning in any message. We bring varying attitudes, expectations and understandings to communicative situations. We bring varying attitudes, expectations and understandings to communicative situations. We bring varying attitudes, expectations and understandings to communicative situations.

Ambiguity Even if the receiver sees or hears exactly the same message which the sender sent, the sense which the receiver makes of it may be quite different from the sender's intention. Even if the receiver sees or hears exactly the same message which the sender sent, the sense which the receiver makes of it may be quite different from the sender's intention. The same 'message' may represent multiple meanings. The same 'message' may represent multiple meanings.

Encoding Vs Decoding Transmission models treat decoding as a mirror image of encoding, allowing no room for the receiver's interpretative frames of reference. Transmission models treat decoding as a mirror image of encoding, allowing no room for the receiver's interpretative frames of reference. Where the message is recorded in some form 'senders' may well have little idea of who the 'receivers' may be (particularly, of course, in relation to mass communication). Where the message is recorded in some form 'senders' may well have little idea of who the 'receivers' may be (particularly, of course, in relation to mass communication).

Intentional Message The transmission model is an instrumental model in that it treats communication as a means to a predetermined end. The transmission model is an instrumental model in that it treats communication as a means to a predetermined end. However, not all communication is intentional: people unintentionally communicate a great deal about their attitudes simply through body language. However, not all communication is intentional: people unintentionally communicate a great deal about their attitudes simply through body language.

Context Nor is there any mention in the transmission model of the importance of context institutional, political, cultural, historical. : situational, social, Meaning cannot be independent of such contexts. Nor is there any mention in the transmission model of the importance of context institutional, political, cultural, historical. : situational, social, Meaning cannot be independent of such contexts. context

Relationships and purposes In the transmission model the participants are treated as isolated individuals. In the transmission model the participants are treated as isolated individuals. Transmission models of communication reduce human communication to the transmission of messages, whereas, as the linguists tell us, there is more to communication than this. Transmission models of communication reduce human communication to the transmission of messages, whereas, as the linguists tell us, there is more to communication than this.

Conclusion the transmissive model reductive influence has implications not only for the commonsense understanding of communication in general, but also for specific forms of communication such as speaking and listening, writing and reading, watching television and so on. the transmissive model reductive influence has implications not only for the commonsense understanding of communication in general, but also for specific forms of communication such as speaking and listening, writing and reading, watching television and so on. it reflects the naive 'realist' notion that meanings exist in the world awaiting only decoding by the passive spectator. it reflects the naive 'realist' notion that meanings exist in the world awaiting only decoding by the passive spectator. The model underestimates the creativity of the act of interpretation. The model underestimates the creativity of the act of interpretation.