Shannon and Weaver Model of Communication

In 1948, Shannon-weaver model of Communication was created. Shannon and Weaver jointly wrote an article on " Mathematical Theory of Communication" in Bell system Technical Journal.


Shannon was an American Mathematician whereas Weaver was a scientist. The mathematical theory they wrote later came to be known as Shannon-Weaver Model of communication. This has been called as the  "Mother of all Models".


Basically, this Model is associated with Human Communication which includes certain basic concepts such as Sender, a process of Encoding into Signal or Symbols, a Message, a Channel, Receiver, A Relationship, A Process of Decoding, Range of things to which Message refers and a probable effect intended or not. It also includes Feedback Mechanism between Sender and Receiver.


This model is specially designed to develop the effective communication between Sender and Receiver. Also they find factors which affecting the communication process called "NOISE" . At first the Model was developed to improve the Technical communication, Later its widely applied in the field of communication.


In this model, A message flow from an information source. It is converted into signals or series of signal by a transmitter.Enroute, Signal is mixed with or contaminated by 'Noise' ; means various kinds of unwanted interference coming from 'noise' sources. The received signal is decoded by a Receiver.


Basic elements included in this Model are as follows- 

Sender : The originator of message or the    information source selects desire message

Encoder : The transmitter which converts the message into signals.

Note: The sender’s messages converted Into signals like waves or Binary data which is compatable to transmit the messages through cables or satellites. For example: In telephone the voice is converted into wave signals and it transmits through cables.

Decoder : The reception place of the signal which converts signals into message. A reverse process of encode.

Note : The receiver converts those binary data or waves into message which is comfortable and understandable for receiver. Otherwise receiver can’t receive the exact message and it will affect the effective communication between sender and receiver.

Receiver : The destination of the message from sender.

Note : Based on the decoded message the receiver gives their feed back to sender. If the message distracted by noise it will affect the communication flow between sender and receiver.

Noise:  The messages are transferred from encoder to decoder through channel. During this process the messages may distracted or affected by physical noise like horn sounds, thunder and crowd noise or encoded signals may distract in the channel during the transmission process which affect the communication flow or the receiver may not receive the correct message.

Strengths of Shannon and Weaver Model -

  • Seems straightforward,
  • Recognises that encoding and decoding occur, 
  • Problem of Interference-'Noise'.

Weaknesses of shannon-weaver model-

  • it is linear model i.e, one-way Model.
  • It only accounts for the Act of Sending and Receiving.
  •  Based on Engineering.

  • Broad casting organisation put most of their resources into production and transmission of programmes, and much less into listening to Audience opinion.

To convert this Shannon Weaver Model into 2 way model of communication, we must add a Feedback channel complete with Receiver, All to deal with Messages running from Receiver to the sender.

It may be stated that Shannon's model has been criticized because it did not provide for the complex nature of relationship among humans. Some of the scholars like schramm and kincaid have advanced models intended to fill this need.

Hope, this article will be helpful for understanding in an easy way !! 


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