Models of Communication Essay

Communication Model: A model is an abstracted model of reality. A good model comes as close to reality as possible and discusses and explains the reality. But being an abstraction, a model is not a reality; it is only a representation of reality. For e.g: an architectural model is only a model of the house giving a fair idea of the number of rooms, layout etc; but it is not the house per say. Defination: communication model is a pictorial representation to show the structure of communication process in which various components/ elements are linked. They are based on assumptions that theorists make as to how communication functions and what effect it has upon individuals and society.a a variety of models exist, all of which strive to explain the different components of communication and the role each part plays in the total process. Advantages of models: * They allow us to ask questions * They clarify complexity by reducing the process to simple, more familiar terms. * They lead us to new discoveries by positioning hypothetical ideas and relationships. Limitations * Can lead to over-simplification. * Can lead to confusion between models and the actual behavior it potrays. * Models can be confused with reality. By looking at the models we hope to: * Represent the main lines of thought above the process of mass communication. * It provides us with historical review of the progress in human understanding of how communication works. Functions of models: * Providing images of the whole that one may not otherwise be able to see. * Helps in understanding information in a simplified way which would be otherwise complicated and ambiguous. Evaluation of communication models: * How general is the model? How much material does it organize? * How fruitful is the model? How helpful is it in discovering relations, facts or materials? * How accurate and original is the model? * How important is it to the field of enquiry? History: * Models started with a simple ‘source- message-channel-receiver’ process but were rapidly modified during the 50’s. * The 1950’s was a fertile period; critical aspects to the communication process were added to develop a more comprehensive picture. * During the decades of the 60’s and 70’s the interest in relevant model building had shifted towards search on specific aspects of the model rather than the process. * Also increasing complexity of understanding of the process made diagrammatic representation difficult. Aristotle’s model of communication: Writing 300 years before the birth of Christ, Aristotle provided an explanation of oral communication that is still worthy of attention. Based on five basic elements, his model is focused more on public speaking rather that interpersonal communication.