What is The Shannon-Weaver Model?
This concept of communication was created in 1948 when Claude Elwood Shannon and Warren Weaver co-written an article called ‘A Mathematical Theory of Communication’ that demonstrate the process of communication and was dubbed the ‘mother of all models’.
Concepts behind Shannon Weaver Model
Sender (information source) : Sender refers to the person sending the message after making the message and choosing the channel.
Encoder (transmitter) : Encoder refers to the machine that converts messages into signals or binary data.
Channel : Channel refers to the medium used to send the message.
Decoder (receiver) : Decoder refers to the machine that is used to reverse the signals or binary data back into messages.
Receiver (destination) : Receiver refers to the person who get the message by the sender. The receiver will provide feedback according to the message.
Noise : Noise refers to interference like the environment or people that prevents the message from being sent to the receiver.
Explaination of Shannon Weaver Model
The sender encodes the message and sends it to the receiver via a technological channel such as a mobile phone. The message will then be converted into signals or binary data and transmitted through a medium.
The receiver will have to decode the signals or binary data before he/she is able to understand the message. However the channel might have noise and the receiver might not be able to receive the entire message which cause problems in the communication process.
This model was created with mainly telephonic communication in mind and helps to maximize telephone capacity with minimum noise. This model would then be used for all kind of communications to develop effective communications.
Example of Shannon Weaver Model
A lecturer sends a message via phone text to a student about their meeting for a project. The student did not receive the full message due to noise
Lecturer : We have a meeting in the school at 12pm(however due to noise the 12pm was disrupted and not seen by the student)
Student : So what time is the meeting?(receiver sending feedback)
Sender : Lecturer
Encoder : Telephone network company
Channel : Mobile network
Noise : Missing text
Decoder : mobile phone
Receiver : Student
The feedback by the student allows the lecturer to know that the communication process was disrupted and the message received by the student was incomplete. The receive would then be able to receive the full message after the feedback.
Advantages of Shannon Weaver Model
1. The concept of the involvement of noise in the communication process helps to make communication more effective by getting rid of noise or possible outcome of noises.
2. This model is applicable in any communication as it is a two way communication process.
Criticisms of Shannon Weaver Model
1. It is mainly applied for communication between 2 parties and would not be as effective when applied to group communication and mass communication.
2. Receiver are not able to do anything during the entire process except giving feedbacks.
3. This model is criticized to be a ‘misleading misrepresentation of the nature of human communication’ as human communications cannot be represented by a model or theory.
zhi qiang 
Hi Zhi Qiang, nice post on why Shannon and Weaver’s model is incomplete. The example you have explained is clear and helped me to understand the model better. I agree with you that the concept of the involvement of noise in the communication process helps to make communication more effective by getting rid of noise or possible outcome of noises is an advantage. The criticisms you have mentioned also are also valid. Thank you for your sharing!
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Hello! This was a really interesting read on the Shannon and Weaver’s Model. Your use of image made it easy for me to understand the concept you were explaining, and it made it less confusing. It was also nice that you included an example for me to visualize how the model works. I agree with you that the model is mainly used in a one-to-one setting and not advisable for a large audience group when it comes to communication. It was good that you summarized most of the information, so it did not feel too boring and it also made it easy to absorb. Cheers!
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Hi Zhi Qiang thank you for sharing this post, after reading I have a better understanding of this model. The image you have inserted of this model has helped me visualize how does works. The example you provided was beneficial in pointing out how noise affects the integrity of the message. I think that you can add more photos to help deliver your points to the viewers. The contents of your advantages and criticisms of Shannon Weaver Model are education, I think putting them in a paragraph instead of point form would help the user to see better. Thank you for reading this comment.
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