06_Models of Communication

Question 1

4 groups of Communication models

Answer 1

1. Encoder/Decoder Models
2. Intentionalist Models
3. Persepctive-taking Models
4. Dialogic Models

Question 2

2 models of Decoder/Encoder Models

Answer 2

• Shannon and Weaver (1949): Technical Communication model
• Schulz von Thun (2000): Communication Model

Question 3

Definition
Encoder/Decoder model

Answer 3

• encryption (encoding), transmission and decryption (decoding) of messages
• attempt to answer question of how best to convey a message

Question 4

Technical Communication Model by Shannon and Weaver
Definition

Answer 4

• deals not with meaning of message, but only with its sending and receiving
• goal of optimization of communication in technical transmission
• communicatin is described as linear, one way process

Question 5

Process of Shannon and Weaver

Technical Communication Model

Answer 5

• information source produces message or chain of messages
• message is formed into signals by a transmitter
• signals should be adapted to channel
• leading to receiver
• function of receiver is opposite of that of transmitter
• receiver reconstructs message from signal
• received message then reaches destination
• signals is vulnerable due to noise distorting channel

Question 6

Disadvantages of Technical Communication Model by Shannon and Weaver

Answer 6

• not taken into account that there is constant change of sender and receiver
• without answer of receiver comms between sender and receiver cannot be continued
• not taken into account that each person placs a received message in context of his knowledge, brings in associations, views about the situation and assumptions about the intentions of the sender
• model assumes there is intention to communicate, but often unintentionally or unconsciously: -> especially in context of intercultural comms possibility to send unconscious message is high

Question 7

Definition
Communication Model by Schultz von Thun

Encoder/Decoder Model

Answer 7

4 Components
- Content: every message contains transmission of fact, which sender wants to communicate
- Relationship: interpersonal relationship between communication partners lays foundation for the interpretation of content
- Appeal: certain effect on communication partner
- Self-revelation: any form of comms can include an intended improvement of one’s public image, as well as unintended self-disclosure

Question 8

Characteristics of Comms Model bz Schultz von Thun

Answer 8

• communication interferences inevitable since both sender and receiver interpret messages differently
• one reason for misinterpretations may lie in interpretative key that receivers use and that is derived from their self-image

Question 9

Possibilities to solve type of misunderstanding of relational and self-revelation level

Comms Model by Schultz von Thun

Answer 9

• both comms partners use meta-communication: have to mutually communicate how message is to be interpreted in order to agree on its underlyling message
• standardization of comms process
• issue of of individuality of comms process

Question 10

Intentionalist Models

General Definition

Answer 10

• primarily concerned with intention of communication
• how to mangage to communicate successfully

Question 11

Intentionalist Model

1 item

Answer 11

Grice’s Conversaitonal Maxims

Question 12

When can a message be considered intentional according to Grice’s Conversational Maxims?

2 items

Answer 12

if and only if
- speaker intended message to create an effect in the listener and
- speaker intended that effect to result from the listener’s recognition of that intentio

Question 13

Cooperative Principle
According to Grice’s Conversational Maxims

Answer 13

• comms fails if comms partners do not share a common interest -> Cooperative Principle must be given
• Cooperative Principle is comprised of 4 basic rules which a re termed conversational Maxims

Question 14

4 Conversational Maxims
Grice’s Conversational Maxims

Answer 14

1. Maxims of Quality: “Be truthful”; don’t say what you don’t believe, don’t say for which you don’t have adequate evidence
2. Maxims of Quantity: “contain neither more or less information than required”; make contribution as informatice as required and don’t make it more than required
3. Maxims of Relation: “be relevant to the ongoing discussion”
4. Maxims of Manner: be brief, unambiguous”

• violations of maxims lead to misunderstanding and inefficiency (eg. loss of time)

Question 15

Disadvantages of Grive’s Convesrational Model

Intentionalist Model of Comms

Answer 15

• strict adherence to Grice’s Maxims reflects more an ideal rather than reality
• limited in its ability to account for social nature of comms

Question 16

Which is a model for Perspective Taking Models

Answer 16

Roger’s Rules for Communications

Question 17

Roger’s Rules for Communications
General Definition

Perspective-taking Models

Answer 17

• primarily concered with how people can put themselves in each other’s shoes and understand each other better in this way
• Human Perspective: every person aims for autonomy and self-fulfilment

Question 18

3 basic characteristics observed in context of Roger’s Rules for Communication

Answer 18

• empathic understanding
• authenticity (congruence)
• positive emotional esteem

Question 19

Which is a Dialogic Model?

Answer 19

Axioms of Communication according to Watzlawick et al. 1990

• how is reality constructed together in communications?
• sending and receiving information is guided by interests

Question 20

Axioms of Comms

Dialogic Model

Answer 20

• focuses on behavioural effects
• how common is reality constructed between those invovled in comms process

Question 21

5 Axioms of Comms

Watlawick et al. 1990

Answer 21

1. One cannot not communicate.
2. Every Communication has a content and relationship aspect [content concerned with transmission; relationship refers to interpersonal relationship between coms partners]
3. Relationship of comms partner is established by use of punctuation during encounters [puncutation as a combo of interpretation and causal perception]
4. Human comms makes use of digital and analog modes of communication [digital: written or spoken; analog: outside actual language’s scope, no clear syntax, various semantic possibilities]
5. comms is based on symmetrical and complementary relationships [symmetric when all comms partners perceive themselves to be on same level; complementary wen communication can compensate their differences]

Question 22

Disadvantages of Watzlawick’s Axioms of Communication

Answer 22

• don’t offer complete comms model
• theories don’t shed ligt on some important aspects of comms, which have considerable influecen on interpersonal communication
• for dialogic models goal of comms is achievement of intersubjectivity
• information exchange does occur, but as means of reaching intersubejctive state
• all other models discussed assume that people communicate to convey infomration

Question 23

Example of 5 Axioms of Comms

Answer 23

1. Axiom
Even if Tom does not tell Lisa that he likes her, his posture or shy gaze may be hinted at a meeting of the two.
2. Axiom:
Depending on how Tom formulates the message [the what] (seriously vs. ironically), Lisa will understand it differently.
3. Axiom:
Tom and Lisa will sequence their course of conversation differently in relation to the sequence of causes and effects - who acted and who reacted?
4. Axiom:
Tom could convey through his words that he likes Lisa on the digital path. Analogously, he could convey it by looking at her, taking their hand, etc..
5. Axiom:
Tom and Lisa can communicate symmetrically or complementarily, depending on whether their relationship is based on difference or equality.

Question 24

Perspective-taking Model: How can people better understand each other in the process of communication?

Summary

Answer 24

• Roger’s Rules for Communication refer to empathy to answer this question.
• important, firstly, to empathize with the other person
• secondly to communicate what has been understood to the other person
• So Lisa should try to put herself in Tom’s place and empathize while he communicates the message to her. Afterwards she should tell him what she understood.

Question 25

Most important fact about the model
1. Shannon and Weaver
2. Schultz van Thun
3. Grice’s Conversational Maxims
4. Roger’s Rules for Communications
5. Axioms of Communication

Answer 25

1. technical model, linear, one way
2. socio-psychological perspective on interpersonal comms
3. comms in a cooperative endeavour, cooperative principle must be given, comms partners must convey message to counterparts in such a way that they can understand message and meaning
4. willingness of participants to view situation through eyes of other, based on human persepctive, and client-centered converesational therapy
5. comprehensive, socio-psychological oriented modle of human comms, focuses on behavioural effects, goal to achieve intersubjectivity

Question 26

Disadvantages of Models
1. Shannon and Weaver
2. Schultz van Thun
3. Grice’s Conversational Maxims
4. Roger’s Rules for Communications
5. Axioms of Communication

Answer 26

1. constant change of transmitter and receiver not taken into account
2. message misinterpretation, not empirically tested
3. strict adherence to Grice’s Maxims reflects an ideal rather than reality; limited in ability to account for social nature of comms
4. none
5. not a complete comms model

Question 27

Advantages of Models
1. Shannon and Weaver
2. Schultz van Thun
3. Grice’s Conversational Maxims
4. Roger’s Rules for Communications
5. Axioms of Communication

Answer 27

1. Simple, optimization of comms in technical transmission
2. strong application reference, high degree of practicality, gives solutions for message misinterpretation
3. gives rules how it manages to communicate successful, clear instructions especially for sender
4. none
5. circular communication process, feedback effects can influence comms