Communication Models Overview

Introduction

Exploration of three main communication models:
- Transmission Model of Communication
- Transactional Model of Communication
- Constitutive Model of Communication

Origin: Published by Shannon and Weaver in 1948 at Bell Telephone Laboratories.
Concept:
- Envisions a linear process of communication.
- Involves:
  - Sender (encodes message)
  - Channel (transmits message)
  - Receiver (decodes message)
Example: Voicemail sent to a spouse.
Noise: Interference that may occur at any point, such as static leading to garbled messages.
Characteristics:
- Linear, one-way communication (often called the "pipeline" or "container model").
- Communication is achieved when a message is sent and received.
- Criticism: Lacks feedback and does not account for complexities of face-to-face interactions.

Development: Built upon earlier models by Paul Watts Luwak and Dean Barlen (1967-1970).
Concept:
- Communication is a two-way process.
- Emphasizes shared meaning through interaction.
Key Features:
- Both senders and receivers present simultaneously.
- Incorporates nonverbal communication and feedback.
- "You cannot not communicate" - always sending messages.
Metaphor: Dance - both communicators learn and adjust as they interact.
Example: Discussing car preferences with a spouse, leading to shared meaning.
Context Matters:
- Context shapes communication (work vs. private settings).
- Communicators have a "field of experience" (attitudes, beliefs, values) influencing interpretation.
- Content and relationship dynamics impact conversation (tone, pace, nonverbal cues).
Conclusion: More aligned with real-world communication than the transmission model.

Introduction: Introduced by Robert Craig in 1999.
Concept:
- Communication is constitutive, creating social realities.
- Communication is the primary social process that forms society and relationships.
Key Ideas:
- Not merely a tool but a means of creating social structures (Manning, 2014).
- Karl Weick’s idea: "organizing" is a dynamic term, emphasizing ongoing activity.
- Stopping communication leads to a halt in social and organizational processes.
Conclusion: Emphasizes the foundational role of communication in shaping our lives and societies.

Each model provides unique insights into communication:
- Transmission Model: Focuses on the technical aspects of message delivery.
- Transactional Model: Highlights the dynamic and interactive nature of communication.
- Constitutive Model: Positions communication as the core process that shapes social realities.
Understanding these models aids in navigating readings and research on communication.