Communication Models -

A Theoretical Perspective

Claude Shannon's Roman Jakobson's Ulric Neisser's Michael Polanyi's Ideas About
Model Model Model Model Communciation

Text convey
Source Context Guide Signs
meanings

Highlight
Channel Contact New Information importance of Symbols
interpretation in
written
communication

Receiver Code Affect Abbreviations

Message Exploration

(Needs, Ideas,
Images of the
world)
 TOPIC 2 – COMMUNICATION MODELS – A THEORETICAL PRESPECTIVE

Claude Shannon’s Model

Source Channel Receiver

Encode – compose messages

Decode – interpret messages
Noise – interference on the channel or media through which the information is transmitted either
internal or external influences (bad printing or static in radio wave)

Roman Jakobson’s Model

Writer/
Context Contract Code Message
Reader

More suited to explain written communication which include CODE (language written) besides
other elements but lack of MOTIVES
Contact – Medium of communication (either simple or complex)

Ulric Neisser’s Model

New
Affect
Information

Guide Exploration
Needs,
Ideas,
Images of
the world

Explain the psychology of recognition and perception + how they are applied in writing process.
Write guided by ideas, beliefs and motivations as we write, discover and explore to learn. The
information gathered will produce new ideas which influences our beliefs and the exploration cycle
will begin again. Written process which is motivated, exploratory & recursive.

Michael Polanyi’s Model

A reader discovers meaning based on writer’s experience or context of expressions (poem, novel,
essay, letter or journal). The meaning reader discovers in text may not be as intended by the
writer.
Some Ideas about Communication

Communication is a dynamic process that may involve the sign, symbols and abbreviations
commonly used in written communication with meanings and interpretation unique to particular
context to fully understand the message

a) Sign, Symbols & Abbreviations

Sign & symbols – primitive precursors of written language which may not be interpreted
correctly thus affecting communication effectiveness.

Sign - can be used to represent ideas, experiences, images, objects, feelings and
concepts

Symbols – signs to refer for complex things which contain complex meanings in addition
to literal ones (more than one) & cultural bound

Abbreviations – used in advanced communication technology such as email, SMS

(emoticons, acronyms - FYI)