Communication Models Lesson 1

Study Notes

Aristotle’s Model of Communication

Developed by Greek philosopher Aristotle in 300 BC, focusing on persuasive communication, particularly in public speaking.
Key components include:
- Speaker: The primary figure responsible for delivering the message effectively.
- Speech: The content or message crafted for delivery.
- Audience: Recipients whose interpretation and understanding are vital for successful communication.
- Effect: The desired outcome or impact of the message on the audience.
Strengths:
- Emphasizes the art of persuasion, useful for speeches, debates, and advertising.
- Provides a straightforward approach to understanding the communication process.
Limitations:
- One-way model; lacks consideration for feedback or interaction.
- Does not accommodate noise or complex communication contexts.
Practical Application: Valuable for public speaking and presentations, highlighting audience awareness and message crafting.

Osgood-Schramm’s Model of Communication

Created by Charles Osgood and Wilbur Schramm in 1954, this model presents communication as a circular and ongoing process.
Key components include:
- Encoder/Decoder: Both sender and receiver engage in encoding and decoding messages, making it a two-way interaction.
- Message: The content being communicated.
- Interpreter: Each participant interprets the message based on their understanding and context.
- Feedback: Central element indicating that communication is a continuous loop of exchanged messages.
Strengths:
- Recognizes the importance of interaction and feedback in communication.
- Highlights the dynamic nature of communication as an ongoing process.
Limitations:
- Assumes that both participants share a perfect understanding of the message, which is often not the case.
- May oversimplify the complexities inherent in human communication.
Practical Application: Ideal for dialogue and negotiation scenarios where feedback is crucial.

Shannon-Weaver’s Model of Communication

Developed in 1948 by Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver to enhance technical communication like telephone transmissions.
Core components include:
- Information Source (Sender): Origin of the message, can be a person or machine.
- Encoder (Transmitter): Converts the message into a signal, often through the brain and vocal apparatus in human communication.
- Channel: Medium through which the signal travels, such as sound waves or digital signals.
- Noise: Interference that hampers message clarity, including physical and semantic noise.
- Decoder (Receiver): Interprets the received signal back into the message.
- Destination (Receiver): The final recipient who processes and understands the message.
Strengths:
- Offers clarity by breaking down communication into distinct stages for better analysis.
- Identifies noise as a critical factor, helping to address and minimize communication disruptions.
- Versatile enough to apply beyond technical communication to various forms of interpersonal and mass communication.
Limitations:
- Primarily a linear model, focusing on one-way transmission without accounting for the feedback involved in human communication.
- Simplifies the complexity of human interactions, which often entail multiple feedback loops.

Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of Aristotle's Model of Communication, one of the earliest frameworks established for persuasive communication. It explores the key components, including the speaker and speech, and emphasizes the significance of effective messaging in public speaking.