Communication models

Communication models

Created for

Intended for

Analyzing and Solving Issues

Simplify communication

Improving Communication

Models of communication provide us with a visual representation of the different aspects of a communication situation. Since communication is a complex process, it’s often challenging to determine where a conversation begins and ends. That is where models of communication come in: to simplify the process of understanding communication. Some models are more detailed than others, but even the most elaborate ones cannot perfectly represent what goes on in a communication encounter.

Identify and Fix Problems:

Communication models were designed to make complex communication processes easier to understand by providing a clear structure or diagram.

They were created to study issues like noise, miscommunication, and misunderstandings, helping to improve how messages are conveyed and interpreted.

These models aim to make communication more effective by identifying ways to enhance clarity, logic, and emotional connections.

They provide tools for analyzing communication patterns and fixing problems such as interruptions, confusion, or distorted messages, improving interactions in personal, professional, and mass communication contexts.

Models

Transactional Models

Linear Models

Interactive Models

Aristotle’s Model

Barnlund’s Model

Osgood-Schramm Model

It primarily focuses on the sender (public speaker, professor, etc.) who passes on their message to the receiver (the audience).

The sender is also the only active member in this model, whereas the audience is passive. This makes Aristotle’s communication model a foolproof way to excel in public speaking, seminars, and lectures.

Ethos

Logos

Pathos

Defines the credibility of the speaker. Speaker gains credibility, authority, and power by being an expert in a field of their choice.

Connects the speaker with the audience through different emotions (anger, sadness, happiness, etc.)

Signifies logic. Namely, it is not enough for the speech to be interesting, it needs to follow the rules of logic.

It recognizes that communication is a circular process and a multi-layered feedback system between the sender and the receiver, both of whom can affect the message being sent.

The Role of Feedback

The Transactional Process

It involves multiple cues:

Public cues: Observable elements like spoken words, gestures, or expressions.

Private cues: Internal feelings or thoughts that influence communication.

Behavioral cues: Actions that convey messages indirectly.

Feedback is a central element, occurring instantly and continuously during the interaction.

It highlights contextual factors such as the environment and personal experiences, which affect how messages are understood.

Is a circular model of communication, in which messages go in two directions between encoding and decoding.

As such, this model is useful for describing synchronous, interpersonal communication, but less suitable for cases with little or no feedback.

Circular communication

Shared Roles

there is no difference between a sender and a receiver. Both parties are equally encoding and decoding the messages. The interpreter is the person trying to understand the message at that moment.

Individuals involved in the communication process are changing their roles as encoders and decoders.

Both parties are equally engaged as encoders and decoders.

The information needs to be properly interpreted to be understood.