What Are The 8 Models Of Communication?

Communication can be a very difficult thing to understand. When you say something to another person only to be misunderstood entirely. Ever wonder what makes this communication process work and what factors influence it? You can find your answers by learning about the various models of communication. 

To learn more about these 8 communication models developed over thousands of years. These 8 models of communication are divided into three models of communication, and they are.

• Linear Models of Communications.
• Interactive Models of Communications.
• Transactional Models of Communication.

Linear Models Of Communication

According to linear models of communication, the introduction of communication takes place in one direction. Therefore, you can say that no feedback takes place. These are the earliest communication models to be created. They are:

1. Aristotle’s Model Of Communication

This is one of the first models of communication, created way back in 300 BC. He created this model to make people understand the communication process and become more persuasive and influential. This model became widely accepted as the basic knowledge for all public speakers in Greece during his era.

This model focuses on one-way communication. Here, the various elements of the communication process are:

Speaker > Speech > Audience > Effect

Here, communication starts with the speaker. After they say something (the speech), it reaches the audience (listener). Depending on what the speaker has said, it will have an effect and induce a reaction from the listener.

2. Laswell’s Model Of Communication

Laswell’s Model of Communication can be seen today as an improvement of Aristotle’s model of communication. Compared to the previous model, there is only one significant change – the addition of mediums.

The elements of Laswell model of communication are:

Communicator > Message > Medium > Receiver > Effect

Here, the communicator (speaker) says something (message) to the receiver (listener) through a medium (process). This is done in order to induce an effect (feedback) on the receiver. 

Therefore, unlike Aristotle’s model, this model includes written forms of communication. This is because the medium of communication can be verbal or nonverbal (written or sign language).

3. Shannon – Weaver’s Model Of Communication

Shannon -Weaver’s model of communication is an update of Laswell’s Model of communication. Here, the inclusion of barriers to communication, like noise, has been introduced in the cycle. In addition, this model includes encoding and decoding of messages. 

The elements of this model of communication are

Sender > Encoder > Channel > Decoder > Receiver^Noise

Here, we can see that the sender of the message sends a message after encoding it (verbal or sign language) through a medium (channel). This message then needs to be decoded (using the ear and brain) by the receiver in communication. However, some form of obstacle can exist in the channel, like noise (verbal). 

4. Berlo’s SMCR Model Of Communication

According to Berlo’s SMCR Model of communication, communication takes place using four elements. These four elements are

Source > Message > Channel > Receiver

However, this model is not as simple as it looks. Here, each element is affected by five different factors that influence the communication process as a whole. These factors are

Interactive Models Of Communication

An interactive model of communication refers to a communication model where the receiver provides feedback to the sender. However, most interactive models acknowledge the fact that feedback is slow and can be indirect.

The various interactive models of communication are:

5. Osgood – Schramm’s Model Of Communication

This model of communication is used to describe the various facets of interpersonal and synchronous communication. However, this model cannot be used to describe linear communication with no feedback.

The elements of Osgood – Schramm’s model of communication are:

Encoder/Interpreter/Decoder > Message < Encoder/Interpreter/Decoder

Here, Wilbur Schramm describes communication as a two-way process where both the speaker and the listener encode, interpret, and decode the messages sent. Here, everyone in the communication process encodes (speaks using mouth), interprets, and decodes (with ear and brain) the messages.

Osgood and Schramm describe communication as a continuous process here. Therefore, messages are sent back and forth between the sender and the receiver.

6. Westley – McLean’s Model Of Communication

The models of communication so far have described communication as a conversation between two people. However, this model breaks the status quo by describing mass communication. Therefore, this model can be used to describe the communication of ideas through newspapers.

The elements of this model of communication are:

Environmental Factors / Sensory Experience > [Sender > Gatekeeper > Receiver]

Here, the sender of the message sends the message to the receiver through a gatekeeper (referring to news editors). However, their messages are influenced by external environmental factors. Here, environmental factors refer to various events that are witnessed by reporters.

Transactional Models Of Communication

A transactional model of communication takes into consideration that communication is a dynamic process. Here, the sender and the receiver of messages are referred to as communicators. In addition, the message being sent is referred to as a transaction since it has feedback too.

The various transactional models of communication are:

7. Barnlund’s Model Of Communication

Barnlund’s model is one of the most complex models of communication. This model sees communication as an interpersonal way of sending messages to each other. Moreover, it has several layers, and feedback is typically made immediately.

The primary components of this model of communication are:

Public / Private / Behavioral Cues > [Communicator (Encoder / Decoder) > Channel (Message) < Communicator (Encoder / Decoder)]

Here, we can see that the communicators (all of them being encoders and decoders) send messages to each other through a channel of communication. However, their communication is affected by public, private, and behavioral cues. 

This model can be used to describe face-to-face communication and meetings in detail.

8. Dance Helical Model Of Communication

The Dance Helical model of communication can be used to describe a very unconventional communication model. Here, the entire model can be picturized by using a conical or helical spiral that goes downwards.

This is a unique model that does not directly specify the communicators of messages. Here, the helical spiral represents the notion that communication is constantly evolving and is like a spiral. With every message being sent back and forth, our perception and knowledge of the topic change constantly. This influences the next message we send.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Some questions and answers related to the various models of communication are:

Communication Successful

All these eight models of communication have been developed over time to fully help us understand the communication process. These models have defined what communication is between individuals and between people in a group.

All eight models can be categorized under linear, interactive, and transactional models. Many of the models appear as updates to existing models of communication. With the only exception being the dance helical model of communication.

For more information on practices and models of communication, read the other posts here at Voice of Action!

More Resources:

• Importance Of Your Tone Of Voice In Communication
• What Is Linear Communication Model? Things You Need To Know About It
• What Is Horizontal Communication? How To Improve It?