Linear Model vs. Interactive Model

The linear model of communication more or less describes communication as a one way process. One person is the speaker while the other is the listener, and the conversation only flows in one direction- from the speaker to the listener. The speaker doesn’t listen, and the listener doesn’t speak. In addition, this model portrays a conversation as a step by step process in which one action, such as listening, immediately follows a previous step, such as speaking. I’ve experienced this linear model of communication recently, when the girls in my house were giving each other mock house tours. This occurred since we all knew each other but had to pretend we didn’t, and I found this model of communication to be extremely awkward and not very pleasant.
The newer interactive model of communication is thought to be slightly more up-to-date and accurate than the linear model. It describes communication as a simultaneous speaking and listening, with the listeners also giving feedback. Fields of experience are also added to this model. When the listener and speaker share personal fields of experience, communication can be easier and more effective. If there is little overlap of fields of experience, oftentimes misunderstandings can occur. Like the linear model, the interactive model also describes communication and a sequence of actions. However, it portrays the sequence in a continuous loop of conversation, rather than a straight start-to-finish line. One problem with this model of communication is that it doesn’t account for how communication changes between two people over a period of time. I experience this form of communication in my daily life with people that I’m friendly with but am just acquaintances with, such as classmates.

I-You to I-Thou

One relationship of mine that has become closer over time is that of me and my best friend from high school, Rachel. Our relationship began as an I-You relationship. We happened to sit next to each other in sixth grade math, and had a few other classes together as well. During the I-You stage, we talked about normal things sixth graders chitchat about- the teachers, the homework, cute boys. Since we had three or so classes together, we'd also get to talking about the movies we'd seen or what we had planned for the weekend. However, early on in the relationship, we tended to avoid more intimate topics. We didn't talk much about each others families or who we were currently crushing on. Secrets weren't traded, and our banter tended to be light and on the surface. Fast forward 8 years, and one can clearly see we are in an I-Thou stage now. We literally talk about everything. We've cried together, shared hundreds of secrets, and know every little thing about each others' family. We have a huge shared field of experience, due to numerous classes together, going on big trips together, and experiencing emotional events together. However, due to our different family styles and upbringings, our field of experiences do differ slightly. I'm much more careful and reserved, while she tends to be more daring and outgoing. As a result, I've tended to stick with somethings and get to know the same groups of people deeper, while she likes to move around and meet many new people. None of these differences have affected our relationship together though. We are as close as any two best friends could be, even attending different colleges in different cities, and it doesn't look like our relationship will ever change.

Hello!

I created this blog in order to participate in my online class Comm 10 at SJSU. I am from San Ramon, California, and have a younger brother and sister. I am currently a second year majoring in Graphic Design and hoping to minor in Photography. Once finished with college, I plan to go into the advertising industry, and possibly own my own photography business. I have been in Kappa Delta Sorority since Fall 2010. I did colorguard and winterguard all four years of highschool, and am in my second year on SJSU's team. I look forward to this Fall 2011 semester.