Transmission Model of Communication
Melisa Nahimana
Definition

A model invented by Shannon and Weaver

Model that was invented in 1949

It has been considered a mathematical
interpretation of how communication
between different parties is ought to
function

The purpose of the model is to
communicate to one another

According to the book Communication
Theories in action, communication can be
defined as “ a systematic process in which
individuals interact with and through
symbols to create and interpret meanings.”

The transmission model of communication
helps us assist how communication works
Elements of the Transmission Model
 Sender
 Encoding
 Message
 Channel
 Receiver
 Decoding
 Feedback
 Noise
Sender
 Source of the message
 Responsible for the encoding of a message
 Responsible for the success or failure of the sending of
a message
 Accountable for accurate information delivery
 Chooses the transmission channel of the message
 Initially leads the argumentative environment
 Presents in front of an audience
 Sender presents one out of multiple truths
 By representing a certain truth, the sender sets a
standard for a new idea
 Sender has to follow the continuum of argumentative
certainty ( Marteney, 14)
Encoding
•Verbal and nonverbal symbols
•Idea and thought being reflected
•Information is based on the production
of the sender
•Dependant on the sender
•Transformation if idea into the
universal reality , e.g. virtual reality
•Perception process ( Marteney, 71) to
come t light during the encoding
process
•Filters that may be used could be
psychologically, physically, sensitively or
formally ( Marteney 74-75)
Message
 The matter the source or sender is
communicating about
 Considered the object of communication,
controlled by the sender
 Verbal or nonverbal
 To receive for the sender
 Manner for the sender to convey a certain
matter
 Messages can include claims, and
contentions Claims and contentions may incorporate
evidence and reasoning ( Marteney )
Channel
Channel
 Means for the sender to communicate to the receiver
 Outlet to send a message back from the receiver to the sender ( also known as feedback)
 Usage as avenue to converse an argument in the area of critical thinking
 Path for an individual to express oneself verbally or non-verbally
 To stimulate one of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell
 Channels contain the right time, place and occasion ( Marteney, 85)
 Consideration of word choice, ambiguity, definition and intensity( Marteney, 85)
 Meanings reflected through channel, either denotative or connotative
 The critical thinker must therefore use the channel eloquently, so that his or her
argument is going to be admitted as a reliable truth
Receiver
•Audience
•The end of the communication
channel
•Decoded message to be listened and
observed by the recipient
•To be beneficiary of critically analyst
information from the dispatcher
•Eligible to send back feedback
•Meaning of the message to be
understood by receiver
•Receiver to be target
•Motivation of the audience also to be
related to be a sufficient receiver (
Marteney)
Decoding
 Converting code symbols back into information –
conducted by the receiver
 Translation to a specific interpretation which has
been encoded by the sender
 Contexts may influence the way one decodes an
idea
 Perception process ( Marteney, 71) to come to
light during the decoding process
 Arguments supported by claims, contentions and
evidence to be interpreted in a certain way
Feedback
 Information send back to the source
 Part of a cause and effect chain
 Verbal and nonverbal manner of respond
 Comes from the receiver of a message
 Purpose is to modify the sender’s idea or
implication
 Feedback can include the same elements of
the message: claims and contentions
 Claims and contentions supported by
evidence and reasoning
Noise
 Anything that disrupts or distorts the
communication process
 Verbal and nonverbally
 Noise does not necessarily have to come
from the audience or anyone in the room
 Maybe viewed as negative disruption
 Noise may also be a source of an indirect
message-e.g. the matter of the orator may
not be appropriate for the audience
Transmission Model in Critical Thinking
 Through the lenses of the Transmission Model, a truth can be communicated to an
audience
 The matter mathematically to be explained through the transmission model, which
should be followed by a qualified persuader
 Reasoning needed to be understood for all parties included
 Foundations of Knowledge to be essential on Decision-making situations- which is the
reason why the speaker must know what he or she is conversing about
 Argumentative Environment to be created by the speaker with the assistance of the
Transmission Model
 Inclusion of the audience by understanding its context, and accepting its feedback should
be incorporated in the critical thinking process