Models of communication
a. Meaning of
communication models
Models of communication are conceptual models used to explain the human communication process. The first major model for communication came in 1949 and was conceived by Claude Elwood Sh
annon and Warren Weaver for Bell Laboratories. Following the basic concept, communication is the process of sending and receiving messages or transferring information from one part (sender) to another (receiver).
This model is the most
basic model in communication. This is show communication as an action -
reaction process. This model think that verbal words, inverbal signs, pictures,
and actions will stimulate other people to give the response in some ways. You can
also say that this process is a moving information or ideas. This process could
be interactive and have a lot of effect. Every single effect could change
another act of communication in the next level. This model ignore that
communication is a process. In other words, communication is considered as a
static thing.
In 1948, Shannon was an
American mathematician, Electronic engineer and Weaver was an American
scientist both of them join together to write an article in “Bell System
Technical Journal” called “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” and also
called as “Shannon-Weaver model of communication”
It is a Circular Model,
so that communication is something circular in nature
Encoder – Who does
encoding or Sends the message (message originates)
Decoder – Who receives
the message
Interpreter – Person
trying to understand (analyses, perceive) or interpret
Note: From the message
starting to ending, there is an interpretation goes on. Based on this
interpretation only the message is received.
Semantic noise is a
concept introduced here it occurs when sender and receiver apply different
meaning to the same message. It happens mostly because of words and phrases for
e.g. Technical Language, So certain words and phrases will cause you to deviate
from the actual meaning of the communication.
Note: When semantic noise
takes place decoding and interpretation becomes difficult and people get
deviated from the actual message.
The source in other words
also called the sender is the one from whom the thought originates. He is the
one who transfers the information to the receiver after carefully putting his
thoughts into words.
It is done with the help
of communication skills, Attitude, Knowledge, Social System and Culture.
An individual must
possess excellent communication skills to make his communication effective and
create an impact among the listeners. The speaker must know where to take
pauses, where to repeat the sentences, how to speak a particular sentence, how
to pronounce a word and so on. The speaker must not go on and on. He should
also make a point to cross check with the recipients and listen to their
queries as well. An individual must take care of his accent while
communicating. A bad accent leads to a boring conversation.
It is rightly said that
if one has the right attitude, the whole world is at his feet. There is
actually no stopping for the person if he has the right attitude. A person
might be a very good speaker but if he doesn’t have the right attitude, he
would never emerge as a winner. The sender must have the right attitude to
create a long lasting impression on the listeners. An individual must be an MBA
from a reputed institute, but he would be lost in the crowd without the right
attitude.
Here knowledge is not
related to the educational qualification of the speaker or the number of
degrees he has in his portfolio. Knowledge is actually the clarity of the
information which the speaker wants to convey to the second party. One must be
thorough in what he is speaking with complete in-depth knowledge of the
subject. Remember questions can pop up anytime and you have to be ready with
your answers. You need to be totally familiar with what you are speaking.
Before delivering any speech, read as much you can and prepare the subject
completely without ignoring even the smallest detail.
Imagine a politician
delivering a speech where he proposes to construct a temple in a Muslim
dominated area. What would be the reaction of the listeners ? They would
obviously be not interested. Was there any problem in the communication skills
of the leader or he didn’t have the right attitude ? The displeasure of the
listeners was simply because the speaker ignored the social set up of the place
where he was communicating. He forgot the sentiments, cultural beliefs,
religious feelings of the second party. Had it been a Hindu dominated society,
his speech would have been very impressive.
Culture refers to the
cultural background of the community or the listeners where the speaker is
communicating or delivering his speech.
When an individual
converts his thoughts into words, a message is created. The process is also
called as Encoding.
One cannot show his grey
matter to others to let him know what he is thinking. A thought has to be put
into words and content has to be prepared. Content is actually the matter or
the script of the conversation. It is in simpler words, the backbone of any
communication.
It has been observed that
speech alone cannot bring a difference in the communication. Keep on constantly
speaking and the listeners will definitely lose interest after some time. The
speech must be coupled with lots of hand movements, gestures, postures, facial
expressions, body movements to capture the attention of the listeners and make
the speech impressive. Hand movements, gestures, postures, facial expressions,
body movements, gestures all come under the elements of the message.
Treatment is actually the
way one treats his message and is conveys to the listeners. One must understand
the importance of the message and must know how to handle it. If a boss wants
to fire any of his employees, he has to be authoritative and can’t express his
message in a casual way. This is referred to as the treatment of the message.
One must understand how to present his message so that the message is conveyed
in the most accurate form.
A message cannot be
expressed in one go. It has to be properly structured in order to convey the
message in the most desired form.
Enter a wrong code and
the locks will never open. Enter a wrong password, you will not be able to open
your email account. In the same way the code has to be correct in the
communication. Your body movements, your language, your expressions, your
gestures are actually the codes of the message and have to be accurate
otherwise the message gets distorted and the recipient will never be able to
decode the correct information.
Channel - Channel
actually refers to the medium how the information flows from the sender to the
receiver.
How does one know what
the other person is speaking ? - Through Hearing.
How does one know whether
the pasta he has ordered is made in white sauce or not ? - Through Tasting.
How does one know that
there is a diversion ahead or it’s a no parking zone? - Through Seeing.
How will an individual
come to know that the food is fresh or stale ? How do we find out the fragrance
of a perfume? - Through Smelling.
How will you find out
whether the milk is hot or not ? - Through Touching.
All the five senses are
the channels which help human beings to communicate with each other.
When the message reaches
the receiver, he tries to understand what the listener actually wants to convey
and then responds accordingly. This is also called as decoding.
The receiver should be on
the same platform as the speaker for smooth flow of information and better
understanding of the message. He should possess good communication skills to
understand what the speaker is trying to convey. He should have the right attitude
to understand the message in a positive way. His knowledge should also be at
par with the listener and must know about the subject. He should also be from
the same social and cultural background just like the speaker.
V.
Gerbner’s Model
Mr. George Gerbner is one
of the pioneers in the field of communication research. His works are
descriptive as well as very easy to understand any other before. He is working
as a professor and head of the Annenberg School of Communications in the University
of Pennsylvania. In 1956, Gerbner attempted the general purpose of
communication models. He stressed the dynamic nature of communication in his
work and also the factor which affecting the reliability of communication.
1. Mechanical
Breakdown of equipments
involving communication. Defective equipments etc.
2. Environmental
When the community or
environment we live do not provide us with full freedom to exercise our rights.
3. Cultural
Difference in culture and
traditions
4. Linguistic
Difference in language
5. Psychological
Attitudes
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