WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?
Communication is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person to
another within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures (McCornack, 2014).
There is a wide variety of contexts and situations in which communication can be manifested; it can
be a face-to-face interaction, a phone conversation, a group discussion, a meeting or interview, a letter
correspondence, a class recitation, and many others.
NATURE OF COMMUNICATION
1. Communication is a process.
2. Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the receiver).
3. Communication can be expressed through written or spoken words, actions (nonverbal), or both spoken
words and nonverbal actions at the same time.
ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is divided into elements which help us better understand its mechanics or process.
These elements are the following:
1. Speaker – the source of information or message
2. Message – the information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions
3. Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the speaker
understands
4. Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal, verbal or nonverbal, in which
the encoded message is conveyed
5. Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver
6. Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message
7. Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver
8. Context – the environment where communication takes place
9. Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication
FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Control – Communication functions to control behavior.
2. Social Interaction – Communication allows individuals to interact with others.
3. Motivation – Communication motivates or encourages people to live better.
4. Emotional Expression – Communication facilitates people’s expression of their feelings and emotions.
5. Information Dissemination – Communication functions to convey information.
PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION
MODELS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Aristotle Model
This is the most classic model of linear communication which is commonly used for public
speaking. It is a speaker-centered model where the speaker and speech are very important. In this
model, the speaker is the one who takes complete charge of the communication. The sender first
prepares a content which he does by carefully putting his thoughts in words with an objective of
influencing the listeners or the recipients, who would then respond in the sender’s desired way.
2. Shannon-Weaver Model
Known as the mother of all communication models, the Shannon-Weaver model (1949) depicts
communication as a linear or one-way process consisting of five elements: a source (producer of
message); a transmitter (encoder of message into signals); a channel (signals adapted for transmission);
a receiver (decoder of message from the signal); and a destination.
This model, however, has been criticized for missing one essential element in the communication
process: feedback. Without feedback, the speaker will not know whether the receiver understands the
message or not.
3. Transaction Model
Unlike the Shannon-Weaver Model, which is a one-way process, the Transaction Model is a twoway process with the inclusion of feedback as one element.
This model is more interactive. There is a collaborative exchange of messages between
communicators with the aim of understanding each other. It also shows that a barrier, such as noise,
may interfere with the flow of communication.
4. Schramm’s Model
This is a circular model which takes a classic approach to explain the flow of communication. It
suggests that communication is a two-way path with the message continually passing between the
sender and receiver. The message passes from the sender to the receiver, but similarly, when the
receiver sends a message back to the sender, then role reversal takes place. The sender becomes the
receiver and vice versa. It also emphasizes that communication is not complete until the sender gets
feedback from the receiver.
5. Interactional Model
In the move to a more dynamic view of communication, interactional models follow two channels
in which communication and feedback flow between sender and receiver. Feedback is simply a
response that a receiver gives to a sender. Feedback can be verbal (i.e. “yes”) or nonverbal (i.e. a nod or
smile). Most importantly, feedback indicates comprehension. It can help senders know if their message
was received and understood. By focusing on flow and feedback, interactional models view
communication as an ongoing process.