Exploring communication

Exploring Communication

Part 2 Models & Properties

Defining Models

What is a model?

?

Modeling Communication • A model is simply an abstract representation

• Used for:

• 1 Explanation

• 2 Prediction

• 3 Control

Benefits of Models • Models allow scholars to:

– Describe the overall process of comm

– Explore a particular aspect of comm in detail

– Illustrate a concept or theoretical framework

– More effectively represent relationships

Limitations of Models – Can lack the big picture

– Often context specific may need to be reacessed outside of the original context

– May require supplemental info to understand

General Models of Communication

We’ll examine 3 general models:

Linear Model of Communication

• Many early perspectives were linear. Comm described as:

• One Way from sender to receiver

• Something you do ‘to’ someone

Sender Receiver Message

Channel

Transactional Model of Communication

– Simultaneous Exchange – Message/Feedback integrated into Communication

– Mutual Influence – integrated into Communication

– Environment added both positive and negative impact

Communication Communicator Communicator

Environment

Specific Models of Communication [ You don’t need to write this ]

As we review these models keep the following in mind:

– Each of the following models illustrates specific aspects of comm, but may not describe the whole process

– Ch. 3 “Comm & the Diffusion of Information” by Barnett discusses each model

– You don’t need to copy the diagrams—posted on UB learns in a separate power point, included in lecture outline, and can be found in Ch. 2 & 3

– Exam Qs will cover the concepts associated w/ each model, not the diagram

Lasswell’s Model (1948)

• One of the earliest models of comm. simple , organizational model

– Lacks several elements

Ø ØWho Who? ?

Ø ØSays Says what what? ?

Ø ØIn which In which channel channel? ?

Ø ØTo To whom whom? and ? and

Ø ØWith what With what effect effect? ?

ShannonWeaver Model (1949)

Message

Describes mediated comm — comm via device

– Distinction b/w message & signal

– Introduces physical noise & its impact

– Linear

Message Signal Received Source Noise

Source Transmitter Receiver Destination Signal

Received

Gerbner’s Model (1956) Person 1 M

E E 1

E Content

S Form

SE 1

Event as perceived

Channels, Media, C

ontrol

Reflection, Context, Availability

Perceptual Dimension

Means &

Control D

imension

Statement about event SE (Message)

Person 2 M 2

Statement as perceived

Event Message Destination

Message Source

Gerbner’s Model Two noteworthy foci:

1. Role of ______________ in comm. 2 instances of ______________ :

• ______________(SE) describing ______________ (E) based on ______________ (M) ______________ of it (E 1 )

• ______________ understanding of ______________ based on their ______________ (SE 1 ) of ______________

Gerbner’s Model

2. Influence of ______________ . Besides ______________ , message ______________ influenced by:

• ____________________________ available & the particular one ______________ .

• The specific ______________ of that ______________

• The ______________ using that ______________

Berlo’s SMCR Model (1960)

Explores how each ______________ in 4 basic comm ______________ (source, message, channel, & receiver) can affect ______________

Elements Structure

Treatment

Content Code

Seeing

Hearing

Touching

Smelling

Tasting

Comm. Skills

Attitude

Knowledge

Soc. System

Culture

Comm. Skills

Attitude

Knowledge

Soc. System

Culture

Source Message Channel Receiver

S M C R

Berlo’s SMCR Model

______________ & somewhat ______________ , but a serviceable:

– 3 important concepts:

1. ______________— Each element is represented as a :

Berlo’s SMCR Model

2. ______________— differences in ______________ & ______________ (e.g. ____________________________ ) can inhibit comm

– ______________, not directly ______________

3. Human comm as ______________ — via ______________ & ______________ of messages by ______________

WestleyMacLean Model (1957)

x 11 A B C x 2 x 2

x 1

x 1

x 1

x 3

x 3

x 3

x 4

f CA

f BA

f BC

x 4

A = a reporter (observer)

C = represents an editor (gatekeeper)

B = represents the public (audience)

f = feedback

x i = information

x 1 = message

x 11 = modified message

WestleyMacLean Model – Examines ______________

– Describes how ______________ can be ______________ by ______________ agents before reaching their ______________

– Introduced the concept of a ______________

WestleyMacLean Model

• ______________—an ______________ w/ control over ______________ . Affects message by ______________ and/or ______________

WestleyMacLean Model

Editor is a ______________ — modifies reporter’s ______________ before it ______________

– ______________ gatekeeping— ______________ process

– ______________ gatekeeping— influence of editor’s ______________

x 11 A B C x 2 x 2

x 1

x 1

x 1

x 3

x 3

x 3

x 4

f CA

f BA

f BC

x 4

A = reporter (observer)

C = editor (gatekeeper)

B = the public (audience)

WestleyMacLean Model Gatekeepers exist in any comm context where :

– Examples of gatekeepers:

– Personal ______________ (______________ gatekeeper)

– Leaving a message w/ a friend’s ______________ (______________ gatekeeper)

– Each of us

Convergence Model (1981)

“ “Communication is a process in which participants Communication is a process in which participants ______________ information with one another in order to reach information with one another in order to reach ______________ . .” ”

Convergence Model

• Focuses on:

– ______________ nature of comm

• Emphasizes comm as a ______________

– ______________— tendency to move towards a ______________ (shared ______________ , ______________ , ______________ , etc.)

Review Barnett’s discussion of the convergence model in Ch. 3

Convergence Model

– Comm viewed as a ______________ process of assigning ______________ to info ______________ between ______________ , who, ______________ , progress towards ______________ .

• Adopts a ______________ perspective

Properties of Communication • Collectively, our definitions & models suggest several properties of communication

Properties of Communication

• Communication is a ______________

– Involves :

– Elements are ______________

– Comm interactions are influenced by ______________ and affect ______________

Properties of Communication • Communication is ______________

– Difficult to ______________ into ______________ , ______________ elements/acts

• Communication is ______________

– Relies on ______________ to ______________

• ______________ as distinct from ______________ & ______________ to some degree


– Can’t ______________ a message. ______________ or ______________ is not the same.

• Ex:


– Elements of comm are ______________ .

– ______________ influence ______________


– ______________ & ______________

• Communication ______________

– ______________, ______________ , ______________


– Encompasses a :

Properties of Human Communication

• We can further specify 3 properties of communication involving humans

1. Human comm involves both ______________ & ______________ processes

• Consider ______________


• Messages in human comm have ______________

– Ex. in ______________ comm:

• ______________ dimension—what a message ______________

• ______________ dimension—what a message ______________ about the ______________ between ______________


• Human comm is a ______________

– Meaning in comm is ______________

– Perceptual differences :

– ______________ shapes ______________ & vice versa

Lifestyle

Exploring communication