WESTLEY AND MACLEAN’S COMMUNICATION MODEL

• The Westley and Maclean communication model aimed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the
communication process, they were interested in exploring how individuals interact within their environment to
create meaning through communication.
• Proposed by Bruce Westley (1995-1990) and Malcolm MacLean (1913-2001) in 1957.
• Aimed to provide insights into the complexities of communication and how various factors, such as context and
feedback can influence the effectiveness of the communication process.
• It is a Interactive Model of Communication.
ELEMENTS OF THE COMMUNICATION MODEL
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 received the message
6.Feedback – Receivers input to the message
7. Gatekeepers- The one who modifies/provides feedback to the messages before they are conveyed. (Usually
involved in mass communication)
8. Opinion Leaders- Influence holders who can change the impact of the message (Usually involved in mass
communication).

Figure 1. The Westley and Maclean Model of Communication

https://www.chanty.com/blog/communication-models/

ADVANTAGES
• THE NECESSITY AND CONCEPT OF FEEDBACK IS REFLECTED IN THE MODEL
• THE MESSAGE COMES FROM THE ENVIRONMENT. NOT NECESSARILY A PERSON. THIS
GUARANTEES MULTIPLE SENSES ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS
• SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND OTHER FACTORS ALSO PLAT A ROLE AS PART OF THE OBIECTS OF
ORIENTATION
•THE MODEL CAN BE APPLIED TO INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, BUT ALSO MASS
COMMUNICATION
DISADVANTAGES
•THE MODEL CONSISTS OF MANY COMPONENTS AND VARIABLES, WHICH MAKE IT APPEAR
COMPLEX
• THE MODEL DOES NOT ADDRESS MULTIPLE OR COMPLEX
•MESSAGES INFORMATION MAY BE CHANGED WHILE IT IS BEING SENT FROM THE SOURCE TO
THE RECEIVER (NOISE), WHICH THE MODEL DOES NOT ADDRESS. THE SHANNON & WEAVER
MODEL DOES ADDRESS THIS
RELEVANCE OF THE MODEL IN DAILY PERSONAL LIFE?
• UTILIZING THIS MODEL DURING CONFLICTS OR DISAGREEMENTS CAN FOSTER PRODUCTIVE
CONVERSATIONS BY PROMOTING ACTIVE LISTENING, OFFERING CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK, AND
ENSURING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, WHICH IN TURN VERIFIES EACH OTHERS
UNDERSTANDING TO REACH A RESOLUTION EFFECTIVELY

REFERENCE
• https://www.chanty.com/blog/communication-models/
• https://www.engati.com/glossary/communication-model
• https://leverageedu.com/blog/models-of-communication/

QUIZ
WESTLEY AND MACLEAN’S COMMUNICATION MODEL
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
1. The Westley and MacLean’s model of communication focuses on two contexts,
a. Intrapersonal and mass communication
b. Interpersonal and mass communication
c. Ethos and Logos
d. Circular and ongoing

2. The Westley and MacLean’s model of communication considers the following factors, except:
a. Feedback Loop
b. Object of Orientation
c. Physical Surrounding
d. Noise
3. The Westley and MacLean model is
a. One Dimensional
b. Two Dimensional
c. Three Dimensional
d. Four Dimensional
For the next two questions:
CBAPA News disseminates an article every month. Student journalists submit their papers at the end of the
first week every month. Students can directly respond to the articles through CBAPA News. If students responded to
CBAPA News, the journalists can inspire within them new articles through an epiphany or spite, thus a feedback
loop is established.
4. These are all environmental factors, except:
a. Student Journalists’ articles
b. Information
c. CBAPA News
d. None of the above
5. The gatekeeper is
a. Student journalists
b. CBAPA News
c. BSA 1-2
d. CBAPA DAMA

II. TRUE OR FALSE.

1. The Westley and MacLean model does not account for non binary interactions.
2. In interpersonal, feedback is indirect and slow.
3. In the Westley and MacLean model, communication begins when one person starts to talk.
4. The Westley and MacLean model is a predictive and descriptive model.
5. The Westley and MacLean model is a three dimensional model.