Communication Models PDF

 **The Communication Process** The definition of communication and its elements can also be further understood in the light of a framework or model to see their interrelatedness. The common models of communication that have been utilized over the years are as follows. 1\. **L...

 **The Communication Process** The definition of communication and its elements can also be further understood in the light of a framework or model to see their interrelatedness. The common models of communication that have been utilized over the years are as follows. 1\. **Linear Model-** also called the transmission model, a linear model assumes that communication is transmitted in a straightforward manner- from a sender to a receiver. This clearly reflects that communication is a one-way process. **a.** **Laswell's Verbal Model-** communication can be understood by answering the five questions provided by Harold Laswell (1948). https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1\*kBjDQOzFQnVdoBDYEM5w3A.jpeg Laswell's verbal model appears to be the simplest model of communication. In this model, communication flows in one direction from the sender (who?) with a message (says what?) which is sent via a certain medium (in what channel?) towards the receiver (to whom?) to bring about a certain result (with what effect?) **b. Shannon and Weaver Model-** in 1949, Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver modified Laswell's verbal model by adding noise as component.  Shannon and Weaver's model is still linear in nature. The eight components are the source (the person whom the message comes from), message(content of the transaction), transmitter (the instrument through which the message passes like a telephone), signal (which flows through a channel), channel (a carrier or medium such as air light, electricity, radio waves, and postal system for written communication), noise (interference that disrupts and distorts the understanding of the message), receiver ( refers to the receiving instrument such as telephone lines, ears to see sounds, and eyes for gestures in face to face communication), and destination (person/s who receive/s and process/es the message). **2. Interactive Model-** This model is in contrast with the linear one which considers communication as flowing only one direction, from a sender to a receiver (Gronbeck, 1999). In this model, communication is a two-way process which involves an exchange or an interaction between the sender and receiver. This indicates that receiver is not just a mere absorber of the message from the receiver. As the receiver, gets the message, he or she processes it, provides his or her own interpretation of the message, and delivers it back to the sender which makes the process a continuous one. The message that is delivered back to the sender is called **feedback** which is depicted by Wilbur Schramm (1955). As the second form of message in his model. In this model, the personal fields of experience, whether shared or not by the communicators, are very important. According to Schramm, the communicators' fields of experience explain why misunderstanding occurs. For instance, you jokingly tell your friend that your foot is already swollen because he has stepped on it several times. As a result, he feels offended instead of realizing you are hurt. The communication process is enhanced or weakened depending on the fields of experience of the communicators. Schramm pointed out that when there are more overlaps in the communicators' field of experience (meaning they share same experience), the better they understand each other,   http://pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca/communicationnursing/wp-content/uploads/sites/99/2020/03/Interaction-Model-of-Communication-1024x576.jpg **Figure 1.3:** The Interaction Model of Communication **3. Transactional Model**- This model was adapted from Wood (1997) in response to the failure of the interactive model to portray the dynamism of human communication. The linear model is sequential that it only looks into communication as a process in which one communicates to another who then sends feedback to the former (Wood 2014). Likewise, it designates a person as a sender and a receiver when both communicators can send and receive messages. Another shortcoming of the interactive model is that it does not depict communication as changing over time as a result of the dynamism of transactions among people.  The key features of the transactional model are as follows: - It has time element which influences how people communicate. For instance, freshmen college students are more reserved at all start of the semester since they are still getting to know their classmates. This will change over the time as they become more comfortable with their classmates due to their frequent interaction. - It depicts communication as varying (not constant) and dynamic (not static). - The outer lines in the model indicate that communication occurs within system that influence what and how people communicate. This system may include culture, context and family background. - Finally, the model does not label one as the sender and the other as the receiver. Instead, are communicators who actively, equally, and simultaneously participate in the communication process. **Principles of Communication** Aside from defining communication, identifying its elements, and describing its nature, it is equally important that you learn the different principles which serve as guides in the practice and continuous improvement of your communication skills. **1.** **Communication is transactional-** It is a two-way process which involves an exchange. When a message is sent, a reply is expected. Think about a time when you sent a message either via text message or email and no response was made. **2. Communication is investable-** it is impossible nit to communicate. The moment you wake up, you already start communicating by merely thinking of how your day will look like. **3. Communication is goal-oriented-**When you communicate, you have goals in mind. You do not just say something or write a message on a piece of paper for no reason at all. To persuade; to entertain; to inform; to express one's feelings, ideas or emotions; to build and maintain relationship; and to influence others are some of the purposes of communication. People communicate to develop and maintain their sense of self. Through interaction, one learns who he or she is, what he or she is good at, and how people react to how ones behaves. At the core of these is the ultimate goal of communication to understand each other. **4. Communication has various levels-** there are various levels of communication; intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, and public or mass. **The intrapersonal level** refers to the communication that occurs when we do "self-talk" or engage self-reflection. The **Interpersonal levels** involves two persons who interact with each other usually based on common communication goals. The **small group level** involves three to twenty people while the **public level** involves more than twenty people as in the case of a public official delivering a speech to an audience (Verderber et al., 2015). **5. Communication is complex-** you may perceive communication as simply sending text message, talking over the phone, or using hand gestures. However, communication is so complex that it entails a lot of processes, which can occur simultaneously or successively. In communication, the focus is not just on the message but also on the kind of relationship the communicators have, including their personal, religious, cultural, educational and socioeconomic background. Part of complexity lies in the recognition that communication is interactive, context-based, culturally loaded, circular and irreversible (once something is said, it cannot be taken back). **6. Communication can be learned-** Despite the complexity of communication, it is the skill which can be learned. The foundational knowledge in this chapter is your first step to learning and eventually improving your communication skills. **7. Communication is relational-** In any communication setting, aside from sharing meaning, the process how meaning is created also echoes two vital aspects of the relationship of the communicators; immediacy and control. **Immediacy** is shown when John enters the coffee shop and sees Joan and he says "Joan, good to see you" (a verbal expression of friendliness). **Control**, on the other hand, is the degree to which participant shows dominance or power. Thus, when Tim says to Ara, "I know that you are very much concerned about our group output, but I'll assure you that with the support of everyone in the group, our presentation would surely be one of the best" his words and the sound of his voice may be saying that he is "in control". **8. Communication is guided by culture-** culture may be defined as a system of knowledge shared by a relatively large group of people. The system includes shared beliefs, values, symbols, and behaviors. How message are created and processed in order to foster understanding is greatly influenced by the cultural backgrounds differ from his or her own, he or she needs to look at himself or herself. His or her sensitivity must always be given to communication behavior as a way of practicing cultural sensitivity. Regardless of cultural identity and ethnicity, sensitivity must always be given to the sex, age, class, and sexual orientation of the participants in the process of communication (Verderber et al., 2013). **ETHICS IN COMMUNICATION** An integral aspect which you need to learn about communication is ethics. Ethical considerations in communication shape how you communicate. Ethics deals with one's judgment of rightness or wrongness, appropriateness or inappropriateness of a course of action or decision.it is a set of moral principles guiding the society to maintain social order. **1. Ethical communicators are honest.** In communicating your thoughts, ideas, and feelings you have to be truthful. Good communicators never lie and deceive other people. To fully realize the end purpose of communication, thoughts, ideas, and feelings should be express with best intentions. **2.** **Ethical communicators are well aware of the consequences of their thoughts and actions.** You need to think before you communicate whether it is in the spoken or written form. The way you communicate can build or ruin your reputation. Thus, you need to take accountability for what you are doing and what you are saying. As previously mentioned, communication is irreversible. This means that once you have uttered or written something, you cannot take it back. Therefore, you need to be very cautious with your choice of words and be responsible of your thoughts and actions. **3. Ethical communicators value diversity and respect other's opinion.** Respect means showing regard or considerations for others and their ideas even if you do not agree with them. People differ in terms of backgrounds, interests, beliefs, and value system. They formulate different opinions and insights about various topics or issues. Their ideas may be similar to or, more often than not, different from yours. Whatever the case, you have to respect others by listening to their points of view and genuinely trying to understand them. You may still disagree with other people without sounding role or offensive. This is an indication that you demonstrate respect amidst differences. **4. Ethical communicators are just and fair.** To be just and fair is to be impartial and objective. You do not hastily make decisions or judgment based on hearsays, gossips, prejudices and personal biases. An ethical communicator exerts every effort to gather relevant facts or pertinent information related to a situation before deciding. Think about the judges who decide on cases filed in their respective jurisdiction. They are examples of people who should adhere to standards of fairness. Of course, this is also for everyone else.