Communication Models and Theories

Posted on Oct 13, 2024 in Other subjects

System

A set of interacting elements working towards a common goal.

Model

Created by a researcher: Can be considered a scientific instrument.

Represents Reality: Attempts to depict the described reality.

Set of Sentences: A structured collection of descriptive sentences.

Structure Models

Base Model: Contains fundamental concepts (sender, message, receiver).

Rationality Model: Must be fully developed and consistent.

Mechanism: The most crucial component within the model.

Functions

Explanatory: The primary function is to explain.

Scientific Progress: To advance the dynamic progress of science and serve as a research starting point.

Model Types

Model Up: Constructed with attributes representing a process of the studied phenomenon.

Iconic Model: Designed to directly resemble a property of a phenomenon.

Symbolic Model: Constructed by linking concepts. Its rationale is a set of concepts symbolizing phenomena.

Analog Iconic Model: Establishes the structure and quantitative relationships of the objectives. Does not represent external object appearance.

Conceptual Analog Model: Describes the operation of the represented model.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Helps understand the reality being explained.
  • Offers a simplified approach.
  • Provides an imperfect approximation of reality.
  • Limited by the constantly changing nature of its study target.

Key Concepts

Entropy: System elements tend towards disorder and chaos.

Negentropy: External pressure to maintain order within the system.

Laswell’s Model

Considers mass media as a primary tool for shaping and disseminating symbols of government legitimacy.

Behavioral Postulates

  • Uses objective procedures for data collection.
  • Reduces psychological language to stimulus and response.
  • Views learning as an associative process.

Research Objectives

  • Prepare international public opinion for World War II.
  • Plan the morale and fighting spirit of North American soldiers.

Model Description

Who says what in which channel to whom with what effect?

  • Who: Control analysis (generates stimulus for response).
  • Says What: Content analysis (generates communicative behavior).
  • In Which Channel: Media analysis (instruments enabling communication).
  • To Whom: Audience analysis (receives stimulus and response).
  • With What Effect: Effects analysis.

Shannon’s Model

  • Source: Selects the message.
  • Transmitter: Encodes the message.
  • Channel: Medium used.
  • Receiver: Decodes the message.
  • Destination: Process endpoint.
  • Entropy: Higher entropy means more information.
  • Negentropy: Lower negentropy means more information.
  • Redundancy: Lower quantity and quality of information.
  • Noise: Signal alteration.

Schramm’s Model

Individuals belong to various groups, influencing and being influenced through interactions. Interpersonal relations act as information channels, stress sources, and social support.

The Hearing

  • Interest in Information: Considers public motivation.
  • Selective Exposure: Audience seeks information aligning with their attitudes.
  • Selective Perception: Message interpretation based on values.
  • Selective Memory: Retention of messages consistent with opinions and attitudes.

The Message

  • Communicator Credibility: Source credibility influences opinion change.
  • Argument Order: Inconclusive studies.
  • Argument Completeness: Presenting one or two opposing viewpoints influences audience opinion.
  • Explanation of Findings: Messages implying conclusions are more impactful than explicitly stating them.

Communication Elements

Source, message, destination.

  • Repetition for attention.
  • Shared signs between source and destination.
  • Addressing recipient’s needs.
  • Suggesting actions aligned with the recipient’s group.

Jakobson’s Model

Factors of Verbal Communication

  • Context (Reference)
  • Message (Poetic)
  • Sender (Emotion)
  • Recipient (Conative)
  • Contact (Phatic)
  • Code (Metalinguistic)

Functions

  • Emotional: Expresses the sender’s feelings (sincerity).
  • Conative: Triggers an action in response (legitimacy).
  • Referential: Focuses on the communication context (truth).
  • Phatic: Manages communication flow (education).
  • Poetic: Emphasizes message aesthetics (beauty).
  • Metalingual: Concerns code choice (correction).

Maletzke’s Model

  • Media characteristics influence perception.
  • Receivers selectively choose messages.
  • Message selection and effects depend largely on the receiver.