Communication Models: Aristotle and Lasswell

Study Notes

Aristotle's Communication Model

Centers on the roles of speaker, message, and audience.
Diagram illustrates one-way flow: Speaker → Message → Audience.
Clear and simple structure emphasizing the importance of the speaker.
Lacks feedback mechanism, leading to a one-dimensional flow.
Example: A politician delivering a speech aimed at persuading voters.

Lasswell's Model

Analyzes communication through the formula: "Who says What, in Which channel, to Whom, and with What effect."
Visualized as: Who → What → Channel → Whom → Effect.
Simplifies understanding of communication and highlights the message's impact.
Does not account for feedback or noise that might distort the message.
Example: A TV advertisement (Who) promoting a product (What) via television (Channel) to consumers (Whom) aimed at increasing sales (Effect).

Shannon & Weaver Model

Focuses on the technical transmission of information and interference from noise.
Structured as: Sender → Encoder → Channel (Noise) → Decoder → Receiver.
Effectively illustrates how external noise disrupts communication.
Predominantly linear in nature, lacking consideration for feedback.
Example: A phone call experiencing poor reception (Noise) leading to miscommunication.

Berlo's SMCR Model

Breaks communication down into four key components: Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver.
Illustrated as: Source → Message → Channel → Receiver.
Highlights different elements essential for effective communication.
Omits feedback and noise in its framework, offering a limited view.
Example: A teacher (Source) presenting information (Message) using a PowerPoint (Channel) to students (Receiver).

Osgood-Schramm Model

Describes communication as a circular and continuous process involving both senders and receivers.
Represented as: Encoder/Decoder ↔ Message ↔ Decoder/Encoder.
Accounts for feedback, emphasizing interactivity in communication.
Fails to clearly convey the concept of external noise impacting the process.
Example: Friends exchanging text messages, where both are actively encoding and decoding information.

Westley & Maclean Model

Introduces feedback and acknowledges multiple communication sources.
Diagram starts with an initial event, followed by senders and a feedback loop.
Captures the dynamic nature and complexity of real-world communication scenarios.
Complexity can make it challenging to grasp for some learners.
Example: A news reporter collecting information from diverse sources and delivering it to the audience, incorporating feedback from the public.

Transactional Model

Portrays communication as an ongoing, simultaneous exchange between parties.
Emphasizes the continuous flow of messages in both directions.
Highlights mutual influence and interaction between communicators.
Complexity makes it difficult to visualize the process comprehensively.
Example: A face-to-face conversation where participants simultaneously talk and listen.

Dance Helical Model

Views communication as a spiral that evolves and develops over time.
Depicted in a spiral diagram showing levels of growth in communication skills.
Captures the developmental aspect of communication as a continuous process.
Can be challenging for beginners to fully understand the concept.
Example: A child acquiring language skills progressively through repeated interactions and practice.

Description

Explore the foundational theories of communication as proposed by Aristotle and Lasswell. This quiz delves into their definitions, diagrams, advantages, disadvantages, and practical examples. Test your understanding of these essential models and their impact on effective communication.