Lasswell Model of Communication | English Lesson 📍

Summary

This video discusses Harold Lasswell's communication model, a simple yet comprehensive framework that identifies five key components of communication: who (the communicator), says what (the message), in which channel (the medium), to whom (the receiver), and with what effect (the impact). The video uses a CNN news example about a nuclear power station leak to illustrate the model. It highlights the model's advantages, such as its simplicity and applicability to various communication types, but also points out its lack of feedback mechanism and consideration for noise, which could affect the message's reception.

Takeaways

• 😀 Harold D. Lasswell was an influential American political scientist born on February 13, 1902, and died on December 18, 1978.
• 🔍 Lasswell's model of communication is defined by five key questions: Who, Says what, In which channel, To whom, and With what effect.
• 🗣️ 'Who' in the model represents the communicator, the source of the message.
• 📢 'Says what' refers to the message content, which is the information being communicated.
• 📡 'In which channel' pertains to the medium used for communication, such as television, radio, or newspapers.
• 👥 'To whom' identifies the receiver or audience of the message.
• 🌐 'With what effect' addresses the impact or outcome of the message on the receiver.
• 🔑 The model's distinctiveness lies in its control, content, media, audience, and effect analysis, which dissects different aspects of the communication process.
• 🌐 An example given in the script is a CNN news report about a water leak from a nuclear power station in Japan, illustrating how the model can be applied.
• 👍 The Lasswell model is advantageous for its simplicity and applicability to all types of communication, focusing on the concept of effect.
• 🚫 The model's disadvantages include the lack of feedback mechanism and the absence of considerations for noise, which could affect the communication process.

Q & A

Who is Harold Dwight Lasswell?

Harold Dwight Lasswell was an American political scientist born on February 13, 1902, and died on December 18, 1978.

What are the five key questions proposed by Lasswell to describe an act of communication?

Lasswell proposed that an act of communication can be described by answering the following five questions: Who, Says what, In which channel, To whom, and With what effect.

What is the significance of the 'Who' component in Lasswell's model?

In Lasswell's model, 'Who' refers to the communicator, the person or entity that initiates the communication process.

Can you explain the 'Says what' component in the context of Lasswell's model?

'Says what' in Lasswell's model represents the message being communicated, which is the content or information being conveyed.

What does 'In which channel' signify in Lasswell's communication model?

'In which channel' refers to the medium or tool used to transmit the message, such as television, radio, or newspapers.

How is the 'To whom' component defined in Lasswell's model?

The 'To whom' component in Lasswell's model denotes the receiver of the message, the audience or target of the communication.

What is the purpose of the 'With what effect' question in Lasswell's model?

'With what effect' is concerned with the impact or outcome of the message on the receiver, assessing the effectiveness of the communication.

What is the Control Analysis in Lasswell's model?

Control Analysis in Lasswell's model pertains to the power dynamics where the communicator has control over the content, target, and purpose of the message.

How does Media Analysis fit into Lasswell's communication model?

Media Analysis focuses on the channel or medium used in the communication process, examining how different media can affect the delivery and reception of messages.

What is Audience Analysis in the context of Lasswell's model?

Audience Analysis in Lasswell's model involves understanding the receiver's characteristics, needs, and how they process and interpret the message.

What are the advantages of Lasswell's model of communication?

The advantages of Lasswell's model include its simplicity and ease of use, as it consists of only five components, and its applicability to all types of communication due to its foundational nature.

What are the disadvantages of Lasswell's model as mentioned in the transcript?

The disadvantages of Lasswell's model include the lack of feedback mechanism, absence of noise consideration, and its linear nature, which implies a one-way communication process without return of the message.

How can Lasswell's model be applied to a real-world example, such as a news report?

In a real-world example like a news report, Lasswell's model can be applied by identifying the communicator (e.g., TEPCO operator), the message (e.g., radioactive material leak), the channel (e.g., television via CNN), the audience (e.g., the public), and the effect (e.g., alerting people in Japan).