Lecture 2 - Foundations of Theories of Communication

Question 1

Does “noise” have to be an actual noise?

Answer 1

No - it doesn’t have to be (conceptualising)

Question 2

Critique of Shannon + Weaver’s model

Answer 2

It does not consider a second person (feedback)

Question 3

Feedback

Answer 3

Assumes a circular loop back to the communicator

Question 4

Name the 4 models/people

Answer 4

• Laswell
• Shannon + Weaver
• Wilbur Shramm
• Barnlund

Question 5

What did Wilbur Shramm think about communication?

Answer 5

• It’s not just one way - e.g., we moderate what we say, we gauge people’s face expresssions etc.

Question 6

What did theorists think in the 1950/60’s?

Answer 6

Signals from people’s faces e.g., a tennis match - tennis players/people in general quickly, how fluid/dynamic communication is, multidirectional

Question 7

What were the factors that affect communication? (theorists)

Answer 7

• Context (time and place)
• Reference point
• Time
• Role

Question 8

How can communication be dynamic?

Answer 8

When 2 people have something in common/to reference - leverage point for communication to flow

Question 9

Critique of Shramm

Answer 9

His model is linear - but theorists say that communication is more fluid and simultaneous

Question 10

Time : factor affecting communication

Answer 10

As you get to know people you have a different kind of conversation

Question 11

Role: factor affecting communication

Answer 11

The conversation you have with your manager is not the same as one with a friend

Question 12

Basic idea of Schramm’s model

Answer 12

Communication is circular

Question 13

Basic idea of Barnlund’s model

Answer 13

Communication/conversation overlaps - it’s not slow e.g., different productions have different versions/elements of communication

Question 14

How is communication shown on screen in different ways?

Answer 14

Movements, dialogue/communication, pace e.g., James Bond (over time, different actors)

Question 15

What is Shannon + Weaver’s critique of Laswell?

Answer 15

They want to know why the channel (e.g., noise) broke down

Question 16

Barnlund (time) - transactional model 1960’s/70’s

Answer 16

Symbolic interactions, how we interact with people means something e.g., in a pub … influences how we communicate with another person

Question 17

How is communication difficult in a digital age?

Answer 17

You can’t gauge a person via text, for example. There are no rules

Question 18

Limitations of the Linear Model (Critiques)

Answer 18

• An assumption that listeners are passive
• Only 1 message at a time
• Tone of voice conveys 2 different messages (what you say/the tone of it)
• Communication has a beginning + end

Question 19

Variables of communication

Answer 19

Tone, language, vocab, body language

Question 20

What did other theorists think about communication?

Answer 20

It’s : 1. understood better as circular
2. how listeners are active
3. multiple messages at the same time
4. context + culture (can affect understanding)

Question 21

What conveys tone? e.g., texting

Answer 21

vocab, punctuation, structure, emojis

Question 22

Limitations of Interactive model

Answer 22

• Perceived passivity of receiver
• Overlooked simultaneity of messages by both (non - verbal)
• Also fail

Question 23

Transactional model : Barnlund

Answer 23

Role change over time: you communicate differently e.g., waitress to manager - you now communicate differently

Question 24

Idea of linear communication 1950’s

Answer 24

e.g., TV

Question 25

Idea of interactive model 1960’s

Answer 25

Feedback

Question 26

Idea of transactional model 1970’s

Answer 26

Fluidity