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.
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2 comments:
Hi Lindsay,
I can imagine that being very awkward to have the mock tours, with people you probably know very well pretending like they don't know you. One of my teachers from another class just brought up a situation in where she experienced linear communication as well. She said she went in for an interview with city council in front of a bunch of people who she knew personally, and they proceeded to interview her like they had never met her before. She said it was very awkward because none of them even addressed her by her first name and she said she didn't even feel like a person.
Hey Lindsay. I thought you gave a very detailed explanation of both the linear and interactive models! It was very well explained and in depth and easy to understand. I liked how you address the problem with the interactive model. And you are right, field of experience is a very important factor in how two people may communicate. The relationship between two people are either make conversations very comfortable or uncomfortable. I find it awkward as well when people talk to you and pretend they don't know you because it makes me wonder if I am suppose to pretend as well and how I should be communicating with the other person.
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