Shannon Weaver Model of Communication

Summary

This script introduces the Shannon-Weaver model of communication, developed by Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver in 1949. It outlines the model's components: sender, encoder, channel, noise, decoder, and receiver, highlighting the absence of feedback in the original model. The script also discusses the model's evolution with Norbert Wiener's addition of a feedback loop, transforming it into a more interactive communication process. An example illustrates the model's application, emphasizing the importance of feedback for effective communication.

Takeaways

• 📡 The Shannon-Weaver model was created by Claude Elwood Shannon and Warren Weaver in 1949.
• 🧠 Claude Shannon was an American mathematician and electrical engineer who laid the foundation for digital circuits and information theory.
• 🔬 Warren Weaver was an American scientist and mathematician, known for his work in machine translation and supporting science in the U.S.
• 🎤 The Shannon-Weaver model consists of several key elements: sender, encoder, channel, noise, decoder, and receiver.
• 🔊 The sender is the information source, while the encoder converts ideas into signals or words.
• 📡 The channel is the medium that carries the information from the sender to the receiver.
• 🔇 Noise is any interruption that affects the communication process, such as background sounds.
• 📜 The decoder converts signals back into a message that the receiver can understand.
• 📥 The receiver is the endpoint of the communication process, where the message is received.
• 🔁 Norbert Wiener added the concept of feedback, transforming the model from linear to cyclical, making it interactive.

Q & A

What is the Shannon-Weaver model of communication?

The Shannon-Weaver model, also known as the Shannon Weaver model, is a mathematical model of communication that was created by Claude Elwood Shannon and Warren Weaver in 1949. It is a foundational model in the field of information theory and describes the process of communication as a linear sequence of steps involving a sender, an encoder, a channel, a decoder, and a receiver, with noise as a potential source of interference.

Who are Claude Elwood Shannon and Warren Weaver, and what are their contributions to the field of communication?

Claude Elwood Shannon was an American mathematician and electrical engineer who laid the theoretical foundations for digital circuits and information theory. He is known for his work on mathematical communication models. Warren Weaver was an American scientist, mathematician, and science administrator, recognized as a pioneer in machine translation and for his role in creating support for science in the United States.

What is the role of the sender in the Shannon-Weaver model?

In the Shannon-Weaver model, the sender is the information source that initiates the communication process. The sender can be a person or a machine that converts ideas into signals or binary digits, which are then encoded for transmission.

What is the function of the encoder in the communication process?

The encoder in the Shannon-Weaver model is responsible for converting the ideas or information from the sender into a format that can be transmitted through the channel. This can be in the form of signals, binary digits, spoken or written words, or actions.

Can you describe the channel in the Shannon-Weaver model?

The channel in the Shannon-Weaver model is the infrastructure that carries the information from the sender to the receiver. It can be a physical medium like cable or electrical wires, or it can be a wireless medium, and it is the pathway through which the encoded message travels.

What is meant by noise in the context of the Shannon-Weaver model?

In the Shannon-Weaver model, noise refers to any interference or distortion that can disrupt the communication process. It can be physical, such as a car horn in the example provided, or it can be conceptual, such as misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the message.

What is the purpose of the decoder in the communication process?

The decoder in the Shannon-Weaver model is responsible for converting the received signals back into a format that the receiver can understand. It decodes the message, allowing the receiver to interpret the information that was sent.

Who is the receiver in the Shannon-Weaver model?

The receiver in the Shannon-Weaver model is the end point of the communication process. It is the person or system that receives and interprets the message. The receiver's role is to understand and act upon the information received.

How does the concept of feedback differ in the initial and modified Shannon-Weaver models?

In the initial Shannon-Weaver model, there is no concept of feedback, meaning the sender does not receive any information about whether the message was correctly understood by the receiver. In the modified model, which includes the concept added by Norbert Wiener, feedback is introduced, allowing for a more interactive and cyclical communication process.

What is the significance of feedback in the communication process as described in the modified Shannon-Weaver model?

Feedback in the modified Shannon-Weaver model is significant because it allows for the sender to know whether the message has been correctly understood by the receiver. It enables the communication process to be interactive and cyclical, correcting any misunderstandings and ensuring effective communication.

Can you provide an example from the script that illustrates the Shannon-Weaver model in action?

In the script, an example is given where Thompson calls his assistant and says, 'Come here, I want to see you.' However, a car horn interrupts the call, and the assistant only hears 'I want.' The assistant's inquiry, 'What do you want, Thompson?' serves as feedback in the communication process, illustrating the elements of the Shannon-Weaver model in a real-world scenario.