Shannon and Weaver’s Model
Shannon and Weaver’s is a simple model which is designed to understand the communication between the sender and the receiver. It was initially designed to enhance technical communication but was widely used later to represent various types of communication. This model describes different concepts such as sender, encoder, channel, decoder, receiver, and noise.
Sender (Information source) – Sender is the person who creates the message, chooses the channel and sends the message over.
Encoder (Transmitter) – Encoder is the sender who uses the machine, which converts message into signals or binary data. It might also directly refer to the machine.
Channel – Channel is the medium used to send a message.
Decoder (Receiver) – Decoder is the machine used to convert signals or binary data into a message or the receiver who translates the message from signals.
Receiver (Destination) – Receiver is the person who gets the message or the place where the message must reach. The receiver provides feedback according to the message.
Noise – Noise is the physical disturbances like environment, people, etc. which does not let the message get to the receiver as what is sent
In addition, the factor that affects the communication efficiency is called ‘Noise’. It goes through the communication channel and disrupts the effectiveness of the transmission which can cause the message difficult to comprehend.
This model can be useful in certain situations but it also has its flaws and disadvantages. Inefficiency in transmitting the proper message or information is caused by noise. One of the examples of noise could possibly be like communicating in a crowded area and the sender and receiver are unable to hear each other due to the location of where they are conversing are too loud. The other example is that the receiver could interpret the message received from the sender differently. The sender can transmit the message in a proper meaning but the tone of the conversation can cause the receiver to interpret the message as sarcastic.
Dwyer’s Model
Compared to the previous model that I have explained, Dwyer’s model has a more elaborate explanation of how communication takes place. In Shannon and Weaver’s model, communication is explained simply by creating an encoded message, sent through a channel, decoded, and then received by the receiver. However, in Dwyer’s model, it is more of an interactive process due to various factors that are involved when the sender sends messages. In the image shown above, both the sender and the receiver has a basis of perceptions that could affect the input of the message or the interpretation of the message. It could be the feelings, emotions, attitude or the physical state of both parties communicating with each other. Messages can be perceived as positive or negative depending on the perception of the sender or the receiver.
In conclusion, Shannon and Weaver’s model is incomplete due to the insufficient explanation and elaboration. Dwyer’s model covers more aspects as it takes note of factors such as perception and non-verbal communication. Hence, it is a more reliable reference model for communications.
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Hi Joshua,
Great write up. Your explanation on how noise affects our communication and the example that supports it makes it very easy to understand. You also mentioned how the receiver might misinterpret the message the sender was trying to convey and that the tone of the conversation may result in a different interpretation the sender intended. This may lead to miscommunication due to assumptions. Thereafter you introduce the Dwyer’s model which talks about having perception of both the sender and receiver which directly affects the interpretation of the message. I find that this supports the flaw you identified in which Shannon and Weaver’s model was lacking and incomplete.
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Hi Joshua
Great Write up , Explanation are all clearly stated , how u explain that noise will affect communication and the example that u gave are all straight forward and easy to understand , and u brought in the use of dwyer model which clearly support the flaw that the shannon and Weaver’s model is lacking and u show that Shannon and Weaver’s model is incomplete , very well done .
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HI Joshua,
Blog post is well structured , and like how you compare the model with Dwyer’s model. Its easy to understand as well. Cheers!
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HI Joshua,
Well presented blog post. Like how you explained the Shannon and Weaver’s model on how message is being transmitted. I agree with you that noise and tone can caused misinterpretation of the message send across the channel and the dwyer’s model would be a better model in explaining the communication flow of messages sent.
Overall a good and concise post.
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Hi Joshua, I think that your blog post gives a good introduction to what Shannon and Weaver’s model is. Your introduction includes what each arrow means and give a good explanation about them e.g. sender, encoder, etc. A Dwyer’s model was also included in the post to compare and contrast with Shannon & Weaver’s model. I feel that it is also good to use the Dywer’s model to judge whether Shannon & Weaver’s model is complete or not. I agree that Shannon & Weaver’s model is not complete too. I like your conclusion as it gives the readers a summary to whether Shannon & Weaver’s model is incomplete.
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Hi Joshua,
Thank you for the clear and detailed explanation on Shannon and weaver model and Dwyer model as well. I do agree that Shannon and weaver model has its flaw, which may lead to miscommunication. I feel that an effective communication should be two way process instead of one way, in which communication is not only exchange information, news, ideas and feelings but also create and share meaning. In general, communication is a means of connecting people or places, like how Dwyer model should be. Well written blog post 😊
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