Dive into our comprehensive guide on the De Fleur Model of Communication. Enhance your understanding of this influential model and its real-world application in communication theories.
A Deep Dive Into The De Fleur Model of Communication
Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, and it has been studied extensively to understand its intricacies and nuances. Among the various communication models developed over the years, the De Fleur Model of Communication stands out due to its holistic approach to explaining how information travels from the sender to the receiver.
The De Fleur Model of Communication, devised by Melvin Lawrence DeFleur, a renowned communication theorist, proposes a unique, cyclical perspective of the communication process, incorporating elements like the sender, receiver, message, and feedback. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding this complex yet influential model.
5 Components of the De Fleur Model of Communication
In essence, the De Fleur Model of Communication consists of several key components:
1. The Sender: This is the originator of the message, who decides on the message to be conveyed.
2. The Message: The content to be communicated forms the message. It could take various forms, including verbal, non-verbal, written, or symbolic.
3. The Channel: The channel refers to the medium through which the message is transmitted. It could be through speech, writing, visual aids, or digital platforms.
4. The Receiver: This is the individual or group targeted by the sender to receive the message.
5. Feedback: The response from the receiver to the sender forms the feedback. This feedback allows the sender to evaluate the effectiveness of the message and the communication process.
Understanding the Cycle of the De Fleur Model
Unlike other models, the De Fleur Model illustrates communication as a cyclical process. After the sender delivers the message through a suitable channel, it reaches the receiver. The receiver interprets the message and provides feedback, which then reaches the sender. This continuous exchange of messages and feedback creates a communication cycle that aids in developing a shared understanding between the sender and the receiver.
The Application of the De Fleur Model in Real-World Communication
The De Fleur Model finds its application in numerous real-world scenarios. It is particularly useful in business communication, where continuous feedback is crucial for effective decision-making and progress. Moreover, it is also applicable in interpersonal communication, enabling individuals to understand each other better and build meaningful relationships.
The De Fleur Model of Communication is not just a theoretical concept but a practical tool that helps to navigate the complexities of communication. By understanding and implementing this model, we can improve our communication skills and enhance the effectiveness of our messages.
This article was designed to offer a comprehensive guide to understanding the De Fleur Model of Communication. By delving into its components and real-world applications, we hope to have provided a deeper understanding of this influential communication model.
A Brief Background of the De Fleur Model of Communication
The De Fleur Model of Communication was conceptualized by Melvin Lawrence DeFleur, a prominent scholar in the field of communication. Born in 1923, DeFleur is considered one of the pioneers in establishing social scientific study in communication and has made significant contributions to the development of communication theories. His work largely revolves around mass communication and its effects on society.
DeFleur developed this model in the mid-20th century amidst the increasing impact of mass media. The model was one of his efforts to make sense of the complex process of communication, especially in a rapidly evolving media landscape. He aimed to create a model that could adequately represent the interactive nature of communication, where feedback plays a crucial role.
The De Fleur Model of Communication broke away from the traditional linear communication models of the time, which portrayed communication as a simple, one-way process. Instead, DeFleur’s model underscored the importance of feedback in communication, illustrating it as a two-way, cyclical process.
The model has been lauded for its holistic approach, emphasizing the roles of the sender, message, channel, receiver, and feedback. It proposed that communication is not a one-off event but rather an ongoing cycle of messages and responses.
Since its inception, the De Fleur Model of Communication has become one of the most influential communication theories. It is used in numerous fields, such as business communication, interpersonal communication, and media studies, providing a solid framework for understanding the process and intricacies of communication.
Distinguishing the De Fleur Model from Linear Models of Communication
To understand the uniqueness of the De Fleur Model of Communication, it’s crucial to compare it with traditional linear models of communication. Linear models, such as the Lasswell model or the Shannon-Weaver model, conceptualize communication as a one-way process. In these models, the sender creates and transmits a message through a channel to the receiver, with noise potentially interfering with the message’s reception. However, these models do not consider the role of feedback in the communication process.
The De Fleur Model of Communication stands apart due to its emphasis on the cyclical and interactive nature of communication. While linear models end with the receiver’s reception of the message, the De Fleur Model proposes that communication doesn’t stop there. Instead, it introduces the concept of feedback as an integral component of the communication process.
In the De Fleur Model, after receiving and interpreting the message, the receiver provides feedback to the sender. This feedback becomes a new message that the original sender receives and interprets, leading to a continuous cycle of communication. This ongoing exchange of messages and feedback allows for interactive communication, with both parties actively participating in the process.
Moreover, the De Fleur Model suggests that communication is a dynamic process that is constantly shaped and reshaped by the sender’s and receiver’s feedback. This aspect of the model makes it a more realistic representation of real-world communication, where interaction and feedback are fundamental.
In summary, the De Fleur Model of Communication is different from linear models because it presents communication as an ongoing, two-way cycle, emphasizing the significance of feedback and interaction, rather than a simple one-way transmission of a message from sender to receiver.
Illustrating the De Fleur Model of Communication Through an Advertising Example
To illustrate the De Fleur Model of Communication, let’s consider the example of a company launching a new product advertisement campaign.
1. Sender: The company is the sender in this case. They have a message they want to communicate about their new product.
2. Message: The message consists of the product’s benefits, features, and why it’s a good choice for potential consumers. This message could be crafted using compelling copy, images, music, or other creative elements to make the advertisement engaging.
3. Channel: The company chooses television as the channel to convey its message, broadcasting its advertisement during prime-time hours to reach a wide audience.
4. Receiver: The receiver is the potential consumer who views the advertisement on television.
5. Feedback: Now, here’s where the De Fleur model really stands out. Unlike linear models that end at the receiver, the De Fleur Model takes into account the receiver’s response to the message. In this case, feedback may come in the form of the consumer deciding to purchase the product, posting about it on social media, or discussing it with friends. The consumer’s reaction to the advertisement is feedback that goes back to the company.
This feedback helps the company evaluate the effectiveness of its advertisement. If the response is positive and sales increase, the company knows its message was successful. If the response is negative or indifferent, they may need to revisit and adjust their message or choose a different channel.
In this way, the De Fleur Model of Communication accurately reflects the cyclical, interactive nature of communication that happens in the real world, even in the context of advertising.
Similarities Between the De Fleur Model and the Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication
The De Fleur Model and the Shannon-Weaver Model, two influential communication models, share a number of similarities despite their unique perspectives on the communication process.
1. Sender-Message-Channel-Receiver Structure: Both models follow the basic structure of communication consisting of the sender, message, channel, and receiver (often abbreviated as SMCR). This structure underlines the fact that for communication to occur, there must be a sender who encodes a message and sends it via a suitable channel to a receiver who decodes the message.
2. Consideration of Noise: Both models acknowledge the concept of ‘noise’. In the realm of communication theory, noise refers to any kind of disruption that interferes with the transmission or interpretation of the message. This could be physical noise, like a bad telephone connection, or semantic noise, such as complex language that the receiver finds difficult to understand.
3. Recognition of the Importance of Encoding and Decoding: Both the De Fleur Model and the Shannon-Weaver Model recognize the critical roles of encoding and decoding in the communication process. Encoding is the process by which the sender converts an idea into a message, and decoding is the process by which the receiver interprets the message. Misunderstandings can arise if the message is not properly encoded or decoded.
However, despite these similarities, it’s important to note the key distinction between the two models: the De Fleur Model places significant emphasis on the cyclical nature of communication, highlighting the importance of feedback from the receiver to the sender, while the Shannon-Weaver Model is a linear model that doesn’t account for this feedback loop.
Samrat is a Delhi-based MBA from the Indian Institute of Management. He is a Strategy, AI, and Marketing Enthusiast and passionately writes about core and emerging topics in Management studies. Reach out to his LinkedIn for a discussion or follow his Quora Page