Models of Interpersonal Communication
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ismailaqqa165Models of Interpersonal Communication
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ismailaqqa165S2 Oral communication
Week 7
Prof. BOUTABSSIL
22/04/2024
Models of interpersonal
communication
Models of communication?
• A model describes an object, event, process, or
relationship. It attempts to showcase the important
features of what it represents.
• Thus, we could state that communication models
attempt to describe the process of communication
and how it functions.
• A communication model provides a picture of what
actually happens when one communicates in
different circumstances.
• It helps us understand why and how people
communicate; thus assisting us to develop our own
effective communication styles and techniques.
Action models
• The purpose of using models is to provide
visual representations of interpersonal
communication and to offer a better
understanding of how various scholars
have conceptualized it over time. The
first type of models are action models,
or communication models that view
communication as a one-directional
transmission of information from a source
or sender to some destination or receiver.
Interaction models
• Interaction models view the
sender and the receiver as
responsible for the effectiveness of
the communication. One of the
biggest differences between the
action and interaction models is a
heightened focus on feedback.
Lasswell’s models of communication
• Lasswell's model of
communication (also known
as Lasswell's communication model)
describes an act of communication by
defining who said it, what was said, in
what channel it was said, to whom it was
said, and with what effect it was said.
Laswell’s models of communication
1- Who is communicating?
2- What needs to be communicated?
3- Which channel is going to be used?
4- Who is the message intended for?
5- What is the effect of communication?
Lasswell’s model of communication
• The sender prepares the message
• The message is the information being
conveyed
• The message is encoded, or converted,
to fit the channel being used
• Various channels (email, radio,
television, etc.) deliver the message
• The receiver decodes and reviews the
message
Aristotle’s model of communication
Aristotle’s model of communication
• Aristotle is credited for a model of communication that
applies to the basics of oral communication.
• Aristotle’s model of communication is made of three
elements, speaker-speech-audience, where the basic function
of the communication is to persuade people. This was a
valid conception of communication at that time. Yet, the
evolution of societies all over the world causes
communication to attract new meanings and adapt to new
realities.
• Aristotle’s model of communication is probably too simplistic
and incapable of containing the complex character of today’s
communication.
OsGood-Schram’s model of communication
OsGood-Schram’s model of communication
• The Osgood-Schramm model of
communication is defined as a circular
model that shows that messages go in
two directions. The model has four key
principles: (1) Communication is circular
not linear; (2) Communication is usually
equal and reciprocal; (3) Messages
require interpretation; (4) there are three
steps for communicating: encoding,
decoding and interpreting.
OsGood-Schram’s model of communication
• The benefit of this model is that it
illustrates that feedback is cyclical. It
also shows that communication is
complex because it accounts for
interpretation. This model also
showcases the fact that we are
active communicators, and we are
active in interpreting the messages
that we receive.
OsGood-Schram’s model of communication
• They stressed the social nature of
communication. This model was found more
applicable in interpersonal communication in
which the source and receiver were physically
present. For example when a teacher teaches,
the learners interact by raising queries,
answering questions, etc. The role of
interpretation of the message has also been
highlighted in this model for decoding a message.
Shannon-Weaver model of communication
Sender Message Receiver
Channel
Noise
Shannon-Weaver model of communication
• This model is also referred to as the transmission
model of communication as it involves signal
transmission for communication.
• Shannon and Weaver were mathematicians, who developed
their work during the Second World War in the Bell Telephone
Laboratories. They aimed to discover which channels are
most effective for communicating.
• So, although they were doing research as part of their
engineering endeavors, they claimed that their theory is
applicable to human communication as well.
• The Shannon-Weaver communication model, therefore, is a
mathematical communication concept that proposes that
communication is a linear, one-way process that can be
broken down into 5 key concepts.
Transactional model
Sender Sender
and and
reciever Nonverbal communication reciever
Feedback is important
Noise
Social context/ Cultural context/Situational
context
Transactional model
• Meaning is Embedded in people, not words;
• Meaning comes through interaction;
• Communication is about creating shared meanings between people;
• According to this model, people are senders and recievers at the same
time;
• It integrates nonverbal communication and feedback;
• It is a two-way dynamic. A back and forth discussion where meaning is
discussed and understanding is achieved at the end of the conversation.
• This model accounts for the concept of context. Contextual features will
determine how communication will take place (one to many, many to
many, one to one).
• It also accounts for the experience of the communicators (past
experiences, beliefs, values) that help him/her relate to other
communicators.
• These experiences form a « field of experiences » from which
communicators draw meaning at any point at communication
Exercise
1- What is a model?
2- Which of the mentioned models better suits
the context of oral communication?
3- What are the drawbacks of Lass well’s model
of communication?
4- How is Osgood’s model of communication
different from Shannon and Weaver’s model?
Tackle
