Modern Communication Models: Schramm and White
Schramm's model, created by the "Father of Mass Communication," explains why conversations sometimes break down completely. According to Schramm, successful communication only happens when there's an overlap between the speaker's and listener's field of experience - basically, you need some common ground.
Think of it this way: if you're talking about the latest K-pop group to someone who only listens to rock music, you might struggle to connect. The more shared experiences you have, the easier communication becomes.
White's model takes a totally different approach by showing communication as circular and continuous - that's why it's called the "Cyclical Model." Unlike other models with clear starting points, this one shows that communication never really begins or ends.
White's biggest contribution was highlighting the concept of feedback. In his model, communication flows in a continuous loop: thinking leads to symbolizing, expressing, transmitting, receiving, decoding, monitoring, and back to thinking again.
Game Changer: White's model shows that you're constantly both sending and receiving messages, making every conversation a dynamic, ongoing process.