Approccio matematico alla comunicazione. Modello di Shannon e Weaver

Summary

This video lesson discusses Shannon's mathematical model of communication, introduced in 1949. The model views communication as a linear process where information is transmitted from an emitter to a receiver through a channel, possibly disturbed by noise. Key components include the emitter, receiver, message, code, channel, and noise. The model emphasizes redundancy, filters, and feedback, which enhance message decoding. While effective in telecommunications, it has limitations, particularly in ignoring message content, psychological aspects, and ambiguities in language. The lesson explores the model's pros, cons, and its relevance in modern communication theory.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Shannon Model of communication, introduced in 1949, is one of the first mathematical approaches to communication, considering it as a linear transmission of information.
• 😀 The model views communication as a transfer of content from a sender (emittente) to a receiver (ricevente) through a channel, such as a telephone, which may be disturbed by noise.
• 😀 Key elements in the Shannon Model include the sender, receiver, message, code, channel, and noise, all of which play a crucial role in the communication process.
• 😀 Redundancy is a key concept in the model, where the message is repeated or reformulated to aid in better decoding by the receiver.
• 😀 The 'filter' concept refers to how the receiver selects certain aspects of the message during decoding, which may lead to a less-than-perfect copy of the original message.
• 😀 Feedback is important as it provides the sender with information on how the message is being interpreted by the receiver, allowing them to adjust future messages.
• 😀 The Shannon Model is a linear model of communication, meaning communication flows in one direction, from the sender to the receiver, with no active role for the receiver in the communication process.
• 😀 One limitation of the model is that it doesn't consider the content or meaning of the message, focusing only on the quality of transmission and reception.
• 😀 The model assumes that the sender and receiver share a common code, neglecting the potential for misinterpretation or differences in understanding.
• 😀 The Shannon Model is particularly effective in understanding communication in technological contexts, like telecommunications, but is less suitable for analyzing psychological and linguistic aspects of communication.
• 😀 The model laid the groundwork for modern information theory, offering a theoretical framework for analyzing communication processes in various fields.

Q & A

What is the mathematical model of communication introduced by Claude Shannon?

The mathematical model of communication, introduced by Claude Shannon in 1949, views communication as the transmission of information from a sender (emittente) to a receiver (ricevente) through a channel, with the possibility of noise interfering with the transmission process.

What are the key elements of Shannon's communication model?

The key elements of Shannon's communication model include the sender (emittente), receiver (ricevente), message (messaggio), code (codice), channel (canale), and noise (rumore).

How does redundancy play a role in Shannon's communication model?

Redundancy involves the repetition of certain aspects of the message during encoding to ensure it is successfully decoded by the receiver, especially in the presence of noise or other disturbances.

What is the role of 'noise' in the communication process?

Noise refers to any external interference or distortion that affects the transmission of the message. It can be physical, like background noise, or psychological, such as emotional distractions that prevent clear communication.

What is the concept of 'feedback' in communication?

Feedback is the information returned by the receiver to the sender, indicating how the message has been understood. This allows the sender to adjust or modify future messages accordingly.

What is the main characteristic of the communication process in Shannon's model?

The communication process in Shannon's model is unidirectional, meaning the message travels in one direction from sender to receiver, with no interaction or influence from the receiver during the encoding process.

How does the Shannon model treat the roles of sender and receiver?

In the Shannon model, the sender plays an active role in determining the message's meaning, while the receiver is a passive participant, simply decoding the message without contributing to its creation.

What are the pros of Shannon's communication model?

The pros of Shannon's model include its introduction of key communication elements like encoding, decoding, and noise, and its utility in analyzing communication in technical fields, especially telecommunications.

What are the cons of Shannon's model of communication?

The cons of Shannon's model include its oversimplification of human communication, neglect of the message's content, and assumptions about shared codes between sender and receiver. It also doesn't account for psychological or social factors influencing communication.

How does Shannon's model apply in technological contexts like telecommunications?

Shannon's model is effective in technological contexts such as telecommunications because it focuses on the technical aspects of signal transmission and reception, particularly in managing noise and ensuring effective communication over physical channels.