Two Models of Communication

Communication can be separated into two models: The Transmission and the Cultural Model. First, the transmission model of communication relates to transportation. In this method the source communicates a message which is then interpreted by the receiver. Harold Lasswell described this model as a series of questions: who/ says what/ to whom/ through what channel/ and with what effect? An example of this would be listening to the radio. The source (a song being played), the message being presented is the lyrical meaning, the channel is the song file or radio station, to whom is you the listening, and to what effect is what you personally can relate or understand about the song.

The other model for communication is the Cultural model. In this model communication tends to vary because all cultures are diverse in different ways. The model shows a connection in social communication and common cultures. For example our American culture view on the war on terror is completely different from those in Iraq based on the way our culture's media and our values project it.