1. Exploring Communication
Part 2 Models & Properties

2. Defining Models
What is a model?
?

3. Modeling Communication
• A model is simply an abstract
representation
• Used for:
• 1 ­ Explanation
• 2 ­ Prediction
• 3 ­ Control

4. 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

5. 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

6. General Models of
Communication
We’ll examine 3 general models:

7. Linear Model of Communication
Message
Sender Receiver
Channel
• Many early perspectives were linear. Comm
described as:
• One Way ­ from sender to receiver
• Something you do ‘to’ someone

8. Transactional Model of
Communication
Environment
Communication
Communicator Communicator
– Simultaneous Exchange – Message/Feedback integrated into
Communication
– Mutual Influence – integrated into Communication
– Environment added ­ both positive and negative impact

9. 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

10. Lasswell’s Model (1948)
ØWho?
Who
ØSays what?
what
ØIn which channel?
channel
ØTo whom? and
whom
ØWith what effect?
effect
?
• One of the earliest models of comm. simple ,
organizational model
– Lacks several elements

11. Shannon­Weaver Model (1949)
Noise
Message Signal Received Received
Source Transmitter Receiver Destination
Source Signal Message
Describes mediated comm — comm via device
– Distinction b/w message & signal
– Introduces physical noise & its impact
– Linear

12. Gerbner’s Model (1956)
Person 1 M
Perceptual Dimension
Event as perceived
E
1
E Reflection, Context, Availability
e
rc
Event
ou
Channels, Media, Control
S
Control Dimension
ge
i on
sa
Means &
es
at
tin
M
es
D
ge
sa
es
M
Statement about event SE
(Message)
S E
1
SE Form Content
Statement as perceived
2
Person 2 M

13. Gerbner’s Model
Two noteworthy foci:
1. Role of ______________ in comm. 2 instances of
______________ :
• ______________(SE) describing ______________ (E)
1
based on ______________ (M) ______________ of it (E )
• ______________ understanding of ______________
1
based on their ______________ (SE ) of ______________

14. Gerbner’s Model
2. Influence of ______________ . Besides
______________ , message ______________
influenced by:
• ____________________________ available & the particular
one ______________ .
• The specific ______________ of that ______________
• The ______________ using that ______________

15. Berlo’s SMCR Model (1960)
S M C R
Source Message Channel Receiver
Seeing
Comm. Skills Comm. Skills
Elements Structure
Hearing
Attitude Attitude
Touching
Knowledge Knowledge
Treatment
Smelling
Soc. System Soc. System
Tasting
Culture Culture
Content Code
Explores how each ______________ in 4 basic comm
______________ (source, message, channel, & receiver) can
affect ______________

16. Berlo’s SMCR Model
______________ & somewhat
______________ , but a serviceable:
– 3 important concepts:
1. ______________— Each element is
represented as a :

17. Berlo’s SMCR Model
2. ______________— differences in
______________ & ______________ (e.g.
____________________________ ) can
inhibit comm
– ______________, not directly ______________
3. Human comm as ______________ — via
______________ & ______________ of
messages by ______________

18. Westley­MacLean Model (1957)
f
BA
A = a reporter
x (observer)
1
x f
1
C = represents an
CA
x editor (gatekeeper)
2
x
2
A C B
1 11
x x
B = represents the
public (audience)
x
3
f
BC
f = feedback
x = information
i
x
3
x
3 1
x = message
x
4 11
x = modified
message
x
4

19. Westley­MacLean Model
– Examines ______________
– Describes how ______________ can be
______________ by ______________
agents before reaching their
______________
– Introduced the concept of a
______________

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

21. Westley­MacLean Model
f
BA
A = reporter
x (observer)
1
x f
1 CA
x C = editor
2
x
2
(gatekeeper)
1 11
A C B
x x
x
3
B = the public
f
BC
(audience)
x
3
x
3
x
4
Editor is a ______________ — modifies reporter’s
x ______________ before it ______________
4
– ______________ gatekeeping— ______________
process
– ______________ gatekeeping— influence of editor’s
______________

22. 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

23. 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 .
”

24. Convergence Model
Review Barnett’s discussion of the convergence model in Ch. 3
• Focuses on:
– ______________ nature of comm
• Emphasizes comm as a ______________
– ______________— tendency to move towards a
______________ (shared ______________ ,
______________ , ______________ , etc.)

25. Convergence Model
– Comm viewed as a ______________ process of
assigning ______________ to info ______________
between ______________ , who, ______________ ,
progress towards ______________ .
• Adopts a ______________ perspective

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

27. Properties of Communication
• Communication is a ______________
– Involves :
– Elements are ______________
– Comm interactions are influenced by
______________ and affect ______________

28. Properties of Communication
• Communication is ______________
– Difficult to ______________ into
______________ , ______________
elements/acts
• Communication is ______________
– Relies on ______________ to
______________
• ______________ as distinct from
______________ & ______________ to some
degree

29. Properties of Communication
• Communication is ______________
– Can’t ______________ a message.
______________ or ______________ is not the
same.
• Ex:
• Communication is ______________
– Elements of comm are ______________ .
– ______________ influence ______________

30. Properties of Communication
• Communication is ______________
– ______________ & ______________
• Communication ______________
– ______________, ______________ ,
______________
• Communication is ______________
– Encompasses a :

31. Properties of Human
Communication
• We can further specify 3
properties of communication
involving humans
1. Human comm involves both
______________ &
______________ processes
• Consider ______________

32. Properties of Human
Communication
• Messages in human comm have
______________
– Ex. in ______________ comm:
• ______________ dimension—what a message
______________
• ______________ dimension—what a message
______________ about the ______________
between ______________

33. Properties of Human
Communication
• Human comm is a ______________
– Meaning in comm is ______________
– Perceptual differences :
– ______________ shapes ______________ & vice
versa