1. Linear Communication Model
The linear model of communication depicts one-way communication & is used to communicate with the masses.
The linear communication models are:
- Aristotle’s Model
- Lasswell’s Model
- Shannon-Weaver Model
- Berlo’s S-M-C-R Model
2. Transactional Communication Model
The transactional model of communication highlights two-way communication with direct feedback.
The transactional communication models include:
- Barnlund’s Transactional Model
- Dance’s Helical Model
3. Interactional Communication Model
The interactional model of communication highlights two-way communication with indirect feedback.
- Osgood-Schramm Model
- Westley And Maclean Model
What are linear communication models?
Linear models of communication are models where the sender sends the message & the receiver only receives the message. There's no concept of feedback involved. The introduction of noise may affect clear communication in these 4 types of communication models.
1. Aristotle’s model
Aristotle's model of communication consists of 5 main elements which make up the framework:
1. Speaker -The one who conveys the message
2. Speech - The message
3. Occasion - Where/when/why the message is being conveyed
4. Target audience - To whom the message is to be conveyed
5. Effect - What impact did the message create?
Aristotle's model of communication does not assign any importance to the role of feedback in communication.
Aristotle even identified three elements that have the power to improve communication:
- ethos (credibility)
- pathos (the ability to connect)
- logos (logical argument).
This model was created to understand how to become a more effective & persuasive communicator
2. Lasswell’s Model
The Lasswell model of communication attempts to understand a communication event by asking five important questions:
1. Who? - The one who wants to convey the message
2. What?- The message that is to be conveyed
3. Which channel? - The medium used to convey the message
4. To whom? - Whom is the message conveyed?
5. What effect? - What effect did it have on the receiver?
3. Shannon-Weaver Model
The Shannon Weaver model of communication considers communication to occur in five parts:
1. Sender
2. Encoder
3. Channel
4. Decoder
5. Receiver.
Shannon and Weaver's model of communication stresses the importance of encoding and decoding messages for them to be transmitted. This was the first model to acknowledge the existence of noise in communication that could disrupt or alter a message. This noise could refer to something like the static on a radio broadcast, but it could include spelling errors in written communication or the receiver mishearing the message.
4. Berlo’s S-M-C-R Model
Berlo’s model of communication explains communication in four steps: This model provides a thorough account of the key elements in every one of the steps that will affect how the message is communicated.
- Source: The elements included in the source are the sender’s communication skills, attitude, and culture.
- Message: The elements included in the message are the content, structure, and code of the message.
- Channel: The elements included in the channel are the senses of hearing, seeing, touching, smelling, etc.
- Receiver: The elements of the receiver are their attitude, knowledge, and culture.
Pros of linear communication models
1. Highly impactful in getting things done.
2. Good at audience persuasion & propaganda setting.
Cons of linear communication models
1. With no feedback, communication is not continuous.
2. It's difficult to interpret whether the communication was effective or not.
What are interactive communication models?
The interactive communication models highlight that the feedback may get delayed when the messages are exchanged between the sender & receiver.
1. Osgood-Schramm Model
This model considers communication to be equal and reciprocal. It has no differentiation between the sender and receiver. In this model, it is believed that the encoder and decoder keep interchanging roles of sending and receiving.
The Osgood-Schramm model of communication is the most appropriate model for explaining and analyzing personal synchronous communication in which feedback is instantaneous like in face-to-face conversations. Since feedback is immediate, it is possible to reduce noise through the continuous clarification of messages throughout the conversation flow.
2. The Westley & Maclean Model
The Westley & Maclean Model is more of a mass communication model. It discusses these essential components:
1. Environment- The actual stimuli for any conversation
2. Sensory Experience - The experience that makes them want to send the message
3. Source Sender - The one who sends the message
4. The object of the orientation of the source - The belief of the sender that led to the initiation of that message
5. Receiver- The one who received the message feedback - Receivers input to the message
6. Gatekeepers- The one who modifies/provides feedback to the messages before they are conveyed. (Usually involved in mass communication)
7. Opinion Leaders- Influence holders who can change the impact of the message (Usually involved in mass communication
What are the transactional communication models?
The transactional models of communication are models where the feedback plays an important role & the sender/receiver can exchange their roles. It's generally used for direct personal communication in which two-way feedback is immediate.
1. Barnlund’s transactional model
Barnlund's communication model examines interpersonal, immediate-feedback communication. It holds the idea that feedback for the sender is the reply for the receiver central to the approach.
Barnlund’s transactional model of communication also emphasizes the role of cues in impacting your communication. It sheds light on public cues (environmental cues) and private cues (your thoughts and background). Essentially, this model shows us the factors that influence what we think & say.
Barnlund’s transactional model of communication consists of 5 main elements:
- Communicators
- Encoding
- Message
- Channel
- Decoding
Barnlund’s model also emphasizes the role of cues in impacting your communication. It sheds light on public cues (environmental cues), private cues (personal thoughts and background), and behavioural cues (verbal or non-verbal actions) Essentially, this model shows us the factors that influence what we think & say.
2. Dance’s Helical Model
This model builds on circular models of communication and explains how we improve our messages over time by using feedback. The feedback received for one message influences our next statement. This helps us become more knowledgeable with each cycle, allowing us to expand our circle as depicted in the model by circles that continuously increase in their width. The upward movement in the spiral denotes that every communication practice is new and unique as communication doesn’t ever perfectly repeat itself.
Pros of interactive communication models
1. Chance of getting feedback even in mass communication
2. New communication channels can be explored
Cons of interactive communication models
1. Feedback can take a very long time
2. The sender/receiver may not know who the other person is - that's providing the feedback
What are the other types of communication models?
1. Cognitive Communication Models
2. Relational Communication Models
3. Cultural Communication Models
4. Mediated Communication Models
5. Integrated Communication Models
6. Network Communication Models
7. Organizational Communication Models
8. Interpersonal Communication Models
9. Public Communication Models
10. Mass Communication Models
11. Intercultural Communication Models
12. Critical Communication Models
Decoding these communication models will help you improve lead generation, deliver superior customer experience, and automate customer support, marketing, and sales processes at all levels.
