3 Modes of Human Communication

Question 1

Linear Model of Communication

Answer 1

a source encodes a message and sends it to a receiver through one or more sensory channels. The receiver then receives and decodes a message. (ex. IKEA instructions)

Question 2

Interactional Model of Communication

Answer 2

a source encodes and sends a message to a receiver (through one or more of the sensory channels). The receiver receives and decodes the message, as in linear communication, but then encodes feedback and sends it back to the source. Based on the original message sent and the feedback received, the source encodes a new message that adjusts to the feedback. (ex. job interview)

Question 3

Transactional Model of Communication

Answer 3

The communicators simultaneously process messages. Comm A encodes a message and sends it. Comm B then encodes feedback and sends it to A, who decodes it. Encoding and decoding occur simultaneously. Speakers may send a verbal message and at the same time receive and decode a nonverbal feedback message from others. (ex. headnod and answering)