Communication Models

Introduction
• Communication, like most anything else,
can be studied in order to find out
exactly how it works.
• This can be done in real life situations or
it can be done on a more “academic”
level.
• This presentation will show you the three
most recognized and accepted models of
communication and how they work.
MODEL #1: CONTINUOUS LOOP
MODEL
• This is the EARLIEST model of
communication that has been
presented and accepted by others who
study the field.
• It is also the SIMPLEST model (though
it might not look like it at first).
• It includes all of the basic parts/players
in the communication process.
• There are still a few problems, though!
Continuous
Loop Model
CONTENT

Continuous
Loop Model
 M
MESSAGE

CONTENT

Continuous
Loop Model
Channels
M
MESSAGE

CONTENT

Continuous
Loop Model
Channels
M
MESSAGE

SENDER
S CONTENT

Continuous
Loop Model
 Channels
M
MESSAGE

SENDER
S CONTENT

Info
Source

Continuous
Loop Model
 Channels
M
MESSAGE

SENDER RECEIVER
S CONTENT
R

Info
Source

Continuous
Loop Model
 Break = diff. Message
Channels received = confusion
M
MESSAGE

SENDER RECEIVER
S CONTENT
R

Info
Source

Continuous
Loop Model
 Break = diff. Message
Channels received = confusion
M
MESSAGE

SENDER RECEIVER
S CONTENT
R

FEEDBACK
Info
Source
F
Continuous
Loop Model
 Break = diff. Message
Channels received = confusion
M
MESSAGE

SENDER RECEIVER
S CONTENT
R

FEEDBACK
Info
Source
F
Break = diff info sent to Continuous
Sender = improper reactions Loop Model
 CONTINUOUS LOOP
• This model is based upon the
concept that language is a
system or a machine.
• In this machine, communication
acts as the “gears” for the
machine to work properly.
• Any breakdowns hurt efficiency!
 CONTINUOUS LOOP
• While this is the EARLIEST model
of communication, it is not
known who the developer or the
creator of the model was.
• The only thing we know for sure
is that it was most-likely
developed in the 1920s or
1930s.
 CONTINUOUS LOOP
• One of the flaws of the model is
that it assumes “continuous”
communication.
• There are times when we choose
to stop communicating.
• In other words, this is good on
paper, but it does not fit all
situations.
 MODEL #2: SHANNON &
WEAVER
• This model was created in 1949.
• It is not certain if this pair of
researchers had seen the
“Continuous Loop” model, but
they were probably at least
familiar with it.
• This model was designed to be
practical!
 MODEL #2: SHANNON &
WEAVER
• Just as the “Loop” model was
more “academic,” the Shannon &
Weaver Model is more “down-to-
earth.”
• The basis for this model was a
study of telephone conversations
over a very lengthy 2-year time.
 MODEL #2: SHANNON &
WEAVER
• The team studied only what they
deemed to be “important” or
“significant” calls of some length.
• Quick calls to a neighbor or a
store were not considered for the
study.
• The focus was on the
“mechanics” of the messages.
 Shannon and Weaver Model

Transmitter = Phone

T
Shannon and Weaver Model
Transmitter =
Receiver = Phone
Phone

T R
Shannon and Weaver Model
Transmitter =
Receiver = Phone
Phone

S T R

Sender =
Info Source
 Shannon and Weaver Model
Transmitter =
Receiver = Phone
Phone

S T R R

Sender = Info
Source
 Shannon and Weaver Model
Transmitter =
Receiver = Phone
Phone

S T N R R

Sender = Info
Source NOISE
 Shannon and Weaver Model
Transmitter =
Receiver = Phone
Phone

S T N R R

Sender = Info
Source NOISE
Static or Connection
 Shannon and Weaver Model
Transmitter =
Receiver = Phone
Phone

S T N R R

Sender = Info
Source NOISE
Static or Connection
Mental or Electronic
 Shannon and Weaver Model
Transmitter =
Receiver = Phone
Phone

S T N R R

Sender = Info
Source NOISE
? Static or Connection
Mental or Electronic
 Shannon and Weaver Model
Transmitter =
Receiver = Phone
Phone

S T N R R

Sender = Info
Source NOISE

Altered Message =
? Static or Connection
Mental or Electronic
Confusion
 MODEL #3: BERLO’S “MODEL”
• This is the MOST RECENT model of
communication study.
• An exact date is not given for the
study, but it is believed to have been
completed in the late 1970s or the
early 1980s.
• This one is not designed to be
“academic” or “practical.” It is
designed to be “ALL-INCLUSIVE”
MODEL #3: BERLO’S “MODEL”

•Even with all of the good

things that this “model”
illustrates and tries to
describe, there is still
one little issue to
remember…
MODEL #3: BERLO’S “MODEL”

•IT’S NOT REALLY

EVEN A TRUE
MODEL IN THE
FIRST PLACE!
MODEL #3: BERLO’S “MODEL”

• It is NOT a model because it was

never actually tested.
• Berlo designed what he thought
would be the ideal system to
describe communication, but
never had a chance to put it to
the test in real life.
MODEL #3: BERLO’S “MODEL”

•Since it was never “field-

tested,” the “model”
that Berlo developed has
to take on a new title…
MODEL #3: BERLO’S “MODEL”

•IT HAS TO
BE CALLED A
“THEORY”
Berlo’s Listening Theory
Berlo’s Listening Theory

CO
NT
EN
T
Berlo’s Listening Theory

CO

DE
NT

CO
EN
T
Berlo’s Listening Theory

Sender:
Emotions
CO

DE
Knowledge NT

CO
EN
Background T
Biases
Ability
Berlo’s Listening Theory

Sender: Receiver:
Emotions
CO Emotions

DE
Knowledge NT Knowledge

CO
EN
Background T Background
Biases Biases
Ability Ability