Lesson 2: The Various Models of Communication

A. Aristotle’s Model of Communication

o The proponent is The Great Philosopher Aristotle (5 BCE), he is a Rhetoric teacher
and founder of an academy known for producing good speakers.
o The first and earliest communication model.
o This is a linear communication model since it focuses on public speaking than
interpersonal communication.
o The speaker plays a very important role. The speaker must first prepare his speech
and analyze the audience, to influence or persuade them.
o The elements:
1. Speaker
2. Message/speech
3. Receiver/Audience
4. Occasion
5. Effect
B. Transactional Model or Circular Model of Communication
o This was created by Dean C. Barnlund, to understand interpersonal communication.
o There is an exchange of messages means that the roles of both communicators each
time in the communication process.
o The participants in this communication process who have common social and
cultural systems and relations can communicate with one another more effectively.
o There is continuous exchanging of messages, but barriers may take place and affect
communication.
o The elements:
1. Sender
2. Receiver
3. Message
4. Channel
5. Noise
6. Feedback

C. Shannon- Weaver’s Model of Communication

o This model of communication was introduced by Claude Shannon and Warren
Weaver.
o The concept of noise was introduced by the proponents in this model.
o This is also known as the “Telephone Model” for this is inspired based on
experience by using telephone back in the 1940’s wherein the message was
hindered by noise.
o There are 6 important features/ elements:
1. Sender
o The originator of the message or the source selects the desired
message.
2. Encoder
o The transmitter that converts the message into signals.

*Note: The sender’s messages are converted into signals like waves
or binary data which is compactable to transmit the message through
cables or satellites.
3. Decoder
o The reception place of the signal which converts signals into
message.
o A reverse process of encoding.

*Note: The decoder converts those binary data or waves into message
which is comfortable and understandable for receiver.
4. Receiver
o The destination of the message from the sender.

*Note: Based on the decoded message, the receiver gives their

feedback to the sender.

5. Feedback
o Response of the receiver to the sender.
 6. Noise
o The messages are transmitted from encoder to decoder through a
channel. During this process the messages may be distracted or
affected by physical noise may distract the channel during the
transmission process which affect the communication flow.

D. Schramm Model of Communication

o Will Schramm developed this model in 1995. He is known as “Father of
Communication” as he came up with 5 modes of communication.
o This model asserts that both the sender and the receiver as important factors and
should have the same field of experience.
o In this concept, field of experience refers to everything that makes an
individual unique – everything that has ever learned, watched, seen, heard,
read, and studied.
o This is a two- way process that gives emphasis to encoding and decoding of message.
It is said that communication is incomplete until the receiver sends feedback.
o This model asserts that message can be complicated by different meaning learned by
different people.
o Schramm claims that communication can take place if and only if there is an overlap
between the field of experience of the participants. It means that participants have
commonalities.
 o The elements:
1. Source
2. Encoder
3. Message
4. Channel
5. Decoder
6. Receiver

E. Eugene White Model of Communication

o Eugene White describes this cyclical model of communication in 1960.
o It was pointed out that communication begins with thinking, it can be observed from
any point in the process.
o A continuous and circular communication.
o The concept of feedback was introduced which is a process used to close the loop.
o This is composed of eight stages:
1. Thinking
2. Symbolizing
3. Expressing
4. Transmitting
5. Receiving
6. Decoding
7. Feedbacking
8. Monitoring
F. Berlo’s Model of Communication
o David Berlo in 1960 explains this model.
o This model considers the emotional aspect of the message.
o Follows the SMCR mode:
S – Source
o Where the message originates. The sender is referred as encoder.
o The person should have communication skills like the ability to
read, write, speak, and listen to the right attitude towards the
listener, subject, and oneself.
o The speaker must be knowledgeable about the topic and the
audience’s familiarity with it.
o The social system must be considered such as the culture of the
audience.
M – Message
o Content is the body of message.
o The speech must be accompanied by elements such as gestures,
facial expression, or body language so that listeners will not lose
interest.
o Treatment is the way one treats message.
 o A message must be properly structured in order, to be conveyed
clearly.
o The code refers to the mean through which is sent and in what form.
It could be language, gestures, expressions, music, etc. It should be
correct and clear so that the message will be clear.
C – Channel
o Refers to the five sense organs: hearing, seeing, touching, smelling,
and tasting.
o These helps human to communicate with one another.
R – Receiver
o When he receives the message, he tries to understand what the
sender is trying to convey.
o This is also called as decoding.

G. Helical Model of Communication

o Frank Dance developed this concept of communication in 1967.
o The form of helix is used to describe the communication process.
o This model presents the concept of time where continuousness of communication
process is important.
o Communication is a dynamic process.
o Communication progresses as individual gets older and his experience and
vocabulary increases.