Berlos SMCR Theory

ENCODES

DECODES

SOUR CE

MESSA GE

CHANNE L

RECEIV ER

A SOURCE ENCODES A MESSAGE FOR A CHANNEL TO A RECEIVER WHO DECODES THE MESSAGE

INTRODUCTION
The model focuses on the individual

characteristics of communication.
There are 4 parts to communication Source Message Channel Receiver

In this model the Message is the important

element. The relationship between the source and the receiver is an important variable in the model It is a dyadic model of communication- There are two people involved

SOURCE
The SOURCE creates messages based on the

following characteristics
Communication skills Attitudes Knowledge

Social System
Cultural System

Source- Communication skills

The individual must have excellent communication

skills to make the communication effective. They must be able to impact on the listeners
There are 5 verbal communication skills
Speaking Writing These are ENCODING SKILLS Listening Reading These are DECODING SKILLS Thought or reasoning Used in BOTH ENCODING AND DECODING

Source- Communication skills

Communication skills involve
Knowing and applying grammar Knowing and using a broad vocabulary Changing the code based on the audience

Source- Knowledge
The sources communication is affected by their

knowledge of the subject. Knowledge of the receiver

Ensuring that they will understand the message as

the source has intended

The communication channel is chosen based on

knowledge
How you relay the message can prevent it from

being understood.

Source- Socio-Cultural system

Social and cultural systems affect the following
The word choices made Different cultures associate different meanings to different words The purpose of communication Depends on the current role ie role at work, among friends, among family etc The meaning attached to certain words Most often seen between generations. Ie the word sick means cool for teenagers, but older adults associate it with being ill The channels used for the message Different populations are more comfortable using certain channels ie email vs post mail

Source- Attitude
Attitude can be seen in the following three forms
Attitude towards self A persons self-image plays a role in how they communicate. Attitude towards subject Their interest level determines their ability to communicate Attitude towards receiver How one perceives the receiver will affect how they communicate

MESSAGE
These MESSAGES are what is sent to the

receiver Berlos Model analyzing the following parts of the message

Structure

Elements
Code Content Treatment

Code, content and treatment are all aspects of

structure and elements in a message

Message- Structure
The way the message is put into parts
If the message is not properly arranged it will not be

understood by the receiver The structures contains

Code (how the message is sent)

Content (what is the message)

Treatment- how the sources selects and arranges the code

and content

Message- Elements
Language, gestures and body language are all

examples of elements
Elements accompany content and can have a great

influence of the receiver

Ex

Gestures can be misinterpreted, leading to miscommunication

Message- Code
We encode messages- take them from the source

and are used to pass on information. How one encodes a message can have a great effect on the receivers understanding of the message
What elements (or parts) are included in the code?
How we structure the different parts of the message

to make them clear.

Message- Content
The material in the message selected to express

the purpose Has both elements and structure

What the sender chooses to include in the message How the sender has chosen to send the message

Message- Treatment
Treatment of the message is the decision that is

made in selecting and arranging both the code and content

This can vary depending on the audience The receivers attitude, knowledge and

communication skills are all taken into consideration when arranging the code and content

CHANNEL
Channel actually refers to the medium how the

information flows from the sender to the receiver. This is done through our five senses
Hearing Seeing Touching Smelling Tasting Note: Despite not mentioning a medium we need to assume that as communication is taking place channels can be any of the 5 senses or combination.

Channel- Elements
Hearing: the use of the ears to get the message e.g.

oral messages Seeing: visual channels for e.g. TV can be seen and the message is delivered Touching: the sense of touch can be used as a channel to communicate for e.g. hugging Smelling: the use of our nose can be a channel to communication for e.g. perfumes, food, charred smell communicates something is burning Tasting: the tongue can also be used to decipher e.g. food can be tasted and communication can happen

RECEIVER
When the message reaches the receiver, he or she

tries to understand what the source actually wants to convey and then responds accordingly. This is also called as decoding. The receiver should be on the same platform as the source for smooth flow of information and better understanding of the message:
The receiver should possess good communication skills

to understand what the source is trying to convey. The receiver should have the right attitude to understand the message in a positive way. The receivers knowledge should also be at par with the source. The receiver must also be from the same social and cultural background just like the speaker.

WEAKNESSES
No feedback / dont know about the effect

Does not mention barriers to communication

No room for noise It is a linear model of communication Needs people to be on same level for

communication to occur but not true in real life Main drawback of the model is that the model omits the usage of sixth sense as a channel which is actually a gift to the human beings (thinking, understanding, analyzing etc).

Applications in todays educational system

The Berlo model is dyadic, meaning that its focus

is on the sender and receiver. How can this model be seen in the following ways?
Teaching ESL students Teaching students with special needs

GROUP DISCUSSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjF4rKCR81o

Sources
CommunicationTheory. (nd). Berlos SMCR Model of Communication. Retrieved from http://communicationtheory.org/berlos-smcr-model-ofcommunication/ Suresh, K. (2003). Theories of Communication. Journal of Mass Communication. Retrieved from , http://www.peoi.org/Courses/Coursesen/mass/mass2. html > Underwood, M. (2010). Berlos SMCR Model. Retrieved from http://www.cultsock.org/index.php?page=introductory/ smcr.html The AD Audit. (2010). Communication Models II. Retrieved from http://adaudit.blogspot.com/2010/12/lesson-twocommunication-models-ii.html