Communication Types

Framework	Description	When to Use	Advantages	Drawbacks
Schramm Communication Model	Developed by Wilbur Schramm, a foundational model in communication studies.	For understanding the basic components of communication.	Provides a foundational framework.	Simplistic, may not capture complex scenarios.
Noise in Communication	Factors that disrupt or hinder effective communication between sender and receiver.	When analyzing communication breakdowns or interference.	Highlights potential obstacles in communication.	May not address internal psychological factors.
Helical Model of Communication	A framework emphasizing the cyclical, continuous, and evolving nature of communication.	When conceptualizing communication as a dynamic process.	Captures the complexity of communication over time.	May require nuanced interpretation.
Integrated Marketing Communication	Coordinating various marketing functions into a unified approach with a consistent brand message.	In marketing to ensure consistent messaging across channels.	Enhances brand image and message consistency.	Requires coordination across multiple channels.
Social Penetration Theory	Developed by Taylor and Altman, describes the deepening of relationships through communication.	When analyzing the development of interpersonal relationships.	Explains how communication influences relationships.	May not account for all aspects of relationship development.
Hypodermic Needle Theory	Proposes that media messages are directly inserted into the minds of passive audiences.	Historically used to explain media’s influence on mass audiences.	Provides a simple model of media effects.	Oversimplifies the complexity of media impact.
Aristotle’s Model of Communication	A linear model focusing on public speaking, highlighting the speaker and audience.	In public speaking and persuasive communication.	Emphasizes the role of the speaker and audience.	Ignores the feedback and dynamic nature of communication.
Transactional Model of Communication	Describes communication as a two-way, interactive process in social and cultural contexts.	In interactive and dynamic communication settings.	Recognizes the complexity and interactivity of communication.	May not be suitable for all communication scenarios.
Communication Cycle	A simplistic linear model of communication where a sender transmits a message to a receiver.	When explaining basic communication concepts.	Provides a simple visual representation.	Lacks feedback and interaction in communication.
Uncertainty Reduction Theory	Suggests people seek to reduce uncertainty in social interactions.	When studying how individuals navigate social uncertainties.	Explains how people seek predictability in relationships.	Doesn’t address all aspects of human communication.
Berlo’s SMCR Model	A one-way or linear communication model based on Shannon-Weaver, focusing on source, message, channel, receiver.	For basic communication analysis and understanding.	Simplifies communication into distinct components.	Oversimplifies the complexity of real communication.
Lasswell Communication Model	A linear framework for media propaganda with three social functions: surveillance, correlation, transmission.	In analyzing media impact on public opinion and beliefs.	Provides a structure for studying media influence.	May not fully capture the complexity of media effects.

Table of Contents

Schramm Communication Model

Noise in Communication

Helical Model of Communication

Integrated Marketing Communication

Social Penetration Theory

Hypodermic Needle Theory

Aristotle’s Model of Communication

aristotle-model-of-communication — The Aristotle model of communication is a linear model with a focus on public speaking. The Aristotle model of communication was developed by Greek philosopher and orator Aristotle, who proposed the linear model to demonstrate the importance of the speaker and their audience during communication.

Transactional Model of Communication

Communication Cycle

linear-model-of-communication — The linear model of communication is a relatively simplistic model envisaging a process in which a sender encodes and transmits a message that is received and decoded by a recipient. The linear model of communication suggests communication moves in one direction only. The sender transmits a message to the receiver, but the receiver does not transmit a response or provide feedback to the sender.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Berlo’s SMCR Model

Lasswell Communication Model

Key Highlights

Schramm Communication Model:
- Created in 1954 by Wilbur Schramm, a pioneer in communication studies.
Noise in Communication:
- Noise refers to any factor that disrupts effective communication between sender and receiver.
- Communication noise hinders message transmission.
Helical Model of Communication:
- Framework inspired by a helix, presenting communication as cyclical, continuous, accumulative, and influenced by time and experience.
Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC):
- Businesses use IMC to align and unify communication strategies.
- Combines marketing functions into one interconnected approach, maintaining a consistent brand message across various media.
Social Penetration Theory:
- Developed by Taylor and Altman in 1973.
- Proposes that relationships progress from shallow to intimate communication as they develop.
Hypodermic Needle Theory:
- Proposed by Harold Lasswell in 1927.
- Suggests media messages are directly injected into passive audiences’ minds.
Aristotle’s Model of Communication:
- Linear model emphasizing public speaking, developed by Aristotle.
- Focuses on the speaker, message, audience, effect, and occasion.
Transactional Model of Communication:
- Describes communication as interactive, two-way process within social, relational, and cultural contexts.
- Dance’s helical model and Barnlund’s model exemplify this approach.
Communication Cycle:
- Linear model depicting communication as one-way process from sender to receiver.
- Lacks a feedback loop between sender and receiver.
Uncertainty Reduction Theory:
- Developed by Berger and Calabrese in 1975.
- Suggests individuals seek to minimize uncertainty in social interactions.
Berlo’s SMCR Model:
- Created by David Berlo in 1960, expanding the Shannon-Weaver model.
- One-way communication framework focused on sender-message-channel-receiver components.
Lasswell Communication Model:
- Linear model dividing communication into segments.
- Lasswell believed media propaganda served surveillance, correlation, and transmission functions.