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Models of Communication

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Models of communication
To communicate effectively, knowledge of the dynamics underlying the communication process is essential. One way to analyze communication is to present it in the form of a ‘model’. A model is nothing but the mechanistic perspective of human communication that effectively tells at a glance how it works. Several theorists have discussed the communication process in ways that have important implications for those involved in informal education programs such as extension work.
Communication models come in a variety of forms, ranging from catchy summations to diagrams to mathematical formulas. A model is an abstracted representation of a reality. A good model comes as close to reality as possible and it discusses and explains the reality as clearly as possible. But being an abstraction, a model is not a reality; it only represents the reality of communication for better understanding of the communication process. For example, an architectural model of a house is only a representation of the house giving a fair idea of the number of rooms, layout, etc. but it is not the house ‘per se’. Thus a model is a pictorial presentation to show the structure of communication process in which various component elements are linked. Arrows are used to depict the transmission of messages from communicators to receiver. Models are based on assumption that theorists make as to how communication functions and what affect it has upon individual and society. A variety of models exists all of which strive to explain the different components of communication and the role each plays in the total process

Shannon & Weaver Model
Shannon, an acclaimed mathematician, developed this communication model in 1947.Later with Warren Weaver, he perfected it. Thus, this model came to be known as Shannon-Weaver Model. They were the first to develop an engineering model of

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