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Helical Model of Communication

Frank Dance proposed the helical model of communication in 1967 to describe communication as a dynamic and non-linear process. The model views communication as a helix shape that starts small and expands in a circular motion, representing how communication between parties begins simply and gradually increases in complexity over time through a cyclical, contextual process influenced by experience. The helical model assumes communication is two-way, speculative, and causes the relationship to develop to increasingly knowledgeable levels through a continuous and accumulative process.

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492 views2 pages

Helical Model of Communication

Frank Dance proposed the helical model of communication in 1967 to describe communication as a dynamic and non-linear process. The model views communication as a helix shape that starts small and expands in a circular motion, representing how communication between parties begins simply and gradually increases in complexity over time through a cyclical, contextual process influenced by experience. The helical model assumes communication is two-way, speculative, and causes the relationship to develop to increasingly knowledgeable levels through a continuous and accumulative process.

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figeni1159
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Helical Model of Communication

In 1967, Frank Dance has proposed the communication model called Dance’s Helix Model
for a better communication process. The name helical comes from “Helix, " meaning an
object with a three-dimensional shape like a wire wound uniformly around a cylinder or
cone. He shows communication as a dynamic and non-linear process.

Theory
Dance’s model emphasized the difficulty of communication. Frank Dance uses the
form of a Helix to describe the communication process. He developed this theory
based on a simple helix which gets bigger and bigger as it moves or grows. The main
characteristic of a helical model of communication is that it is evolutionary.

Frank Dance explains the communication process based on this Helix structure and
compares it with communication. In the Helix structure, the bottom or starting is very small
then it gradually moves upward in a back-and-forth circular motion which forms the bigger
circle in the top and it is still moves further.
The communicators shared information only with a small portion of themselves in their
relationships. Its gradually develops into next level but which will take some time to reach
and expanding its boundaries to the next level. Later the communicators committed more
and shared more portions by themselves.

The model views communication as:


1. Cyclical,
2. Contextual (Influenced by time and experience),
3. Continuous,
4. Non-Repetitive, and
5. Accumulative (getting increasingly more complex and ‘knowledgeable’
Advantages of Helical Model of Communication
 The model assumes sender and receiver to be interchangeable and makes
communication process to be two way.
 The model takes the communication process speculative and intellectual.

Disadvantages of Helical Model of Communication


 The model is taken as more simple than it should be.
 Some critics don’t take it to be a model as it has very few variables.
 It is not testable because it is abstract.
 It is not represent in a systematic and orderly way.
 Variables cannot be differentiated in this model.
 Continuity may not always be true for communication. There might be breaks
in situations as well as events can be meaningless, forced or unproductive.
 The purpose of communication is not always growth.

Example
When a child is born the only means of communication for him is crying, he cries for
everything like hunger, pain, cold etc.. As the child grows the means of
communication become wider and broader. He learns to make noises then he learns
a language to obtain attention and to fulfil his needs.

As a Helix, the process of communication, in this case, started as crying and later it
developed into a complex and compound means.

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