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David Berlo's Model of

Communication
English 17: Speech and Oral Communication
Group 2

BACKGROUND

David K. Berlo and his book, El Proceso de


la Comunicacin published in 1960.

In 1960, David K. Berlo, wrote a book


entitled El Proceso de la Comunicacin
or The Process of Communication. This
work focused on the purpose and
objectives of communication and
addressed
Berlo's
model
of
communication which he developed
from Claude Shannon and Warren
Weaver's Mathematical Model. In this
book, Berlo quoted Aristotle, saying that
the prime goal of communication
was persuasion, an attempt to sway
other men to the speaker's point of
view (Berlo, David K., 1960, p. 8). His
model includes verbal and non-verbal
communications. It also considers the
emotional aspect of the message.

The S-M-C-R Model of Communication

Source
Communication
Skills

Attitudes
Knowledge
Social System
Culture

Encodes

Message

Channel

Content

Hearing

Elements

Seeing

Treatment

Touching

Structure

Smelling

Code

Tasting

Decodes

Receiver
Communication
Skills

Attitudes
Knowledge
Social System
Culture

The FOCUS
David

K.
Berlo's
Model
of
Communication focuses on four elements,
namely: the Source (S), the Message
(M), the Channel (C), and the Receiver
(R). Under each of these are different
factors that affect the communication
process. This model is an example of a
linear model of communication.

The S-M-C-R Model of Communication

Source
Communication
Skills

Attitudes
Knowledge
Social System
Culture

Encodes

Message

Channel

Content

Hearing

Elements

Seeing

Treatment

Touching

Structure

Smelling

Code

Tasting

Decodes

Receiver
Communication
Skills

Attitudes
Knowledge
Social System
Culture

The SOURCE

The Source (S) is the origin of the message. Also called


the speaker, sender, or the encoder.
Factors affecting the Source:
Communication Skills the ability of the speaker to
communicate the message. It refers to his or her ability in
speaking, listening, reading, writing, debating, and
asking/answering questions.
Attitudes the speaker's attitude towards the listeners, to the
subject matter, and even to himself or herself.
Knowledge how familiar, informed or educated is the speaker
about the subject matter he or she will tackle. The source must be
an expert about his or her subject.

The SOURCE (Cont.)

Factors affecting the Source:


Social System the social background. Refers to the system
of values, beliefs, religion, culture, and tradition of a certain
society, affecting the common understanding of the people.
Culture the total way of life of a people [in a society].
(Geertz, Clifford, 1973)

The MESSAGE

The Message (M) is the idea, opinion, emotion, or


information conveyed by the speaker.
Factors affecting the Message:
Content what is contained in the message.
Elements the language, gestures, facial expressions, and
postures used by the speaker to express his or her thoughts.
Treatment how the message is being handled or treated by
the speaker. The way the message is delivered to the audience.
Structure how the message is arranged. The source must
arrange his or her message in the most favorable manner
possible to avoid distortion and miscommunication.

The MESSAGE (Cont.)

Factors affecting the Message:


Code includes the language, body movements, gestures,
and expressions used by the speaker. He or she must be
accurate in using these codes to avoid distortion and
misinterpretation of the message.

The CHANNEL
The Channel (C) is the medium through which the
message is delivered from the source to the receiver.
The five senses.
Factors affecting the Channel:

Hearing the faculty of the ears. Used in hearing speeches


and oral activities.
Seeing the faculty of the eyes. Used in watching visual
presentations.
Touching the faculty of the skin or hands. Used to hold
materials.

The CHANNEL (Cont.)

Factors affecting the Channel:


Smelling the faculty of the nose. Used to distinguish
different types of odor.
Tasting the faculty of the tongue. Used to differentiate
flavor.

The RECEIVER

The Receiver (R) is the one who receives, understands,


analyzes, and interprets the message. Also known as the
listener, audience, or the decoder.
According to Berlo's model, communication will take
place properly if the receiver is on the same level with
the speaker. Hence, the factors that influence the
receiver and the source are the same.
Factors affecting the Receiver:
Communication Skills the receiver should possess good
communication skills to be able to understand the message
delivered by the source.

The RECEIVER (Cont.)

Factors affecting the Receiver:


Attitudes the receiver should have the right attitude
towards the source, the message, and towards himself or
herself to be able to grasp the message in a positive way.
Knowledge the receiver must know something about the
subject.
Social System the receiver should be of the same social
system as the speaker.
Culture the receiver must have the same cultural
background with the source.

The DISADVANTAGES
It is a linear model of communication; therefore, it does
not give much credit to feedback.
It does not include the barriers of communication.
It does not mention communication interference or
noise.
The claim that the source and the receiver must be on
the same level when it comes to communication skills,
attitudes, knowledge, social system, and culture is quite
impossible. No two individuals have the same level of
experience.

REFERENCES

Albaugh, N., Henderson, K., Miosky, K., & Papini, A. (n.d.).


Explanation of SMCR Model. Retrieved June 23, 2013, from
http://www.uri.edu/personal/carson/hendersonk/explanation.html
Berlo's Model of Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23,
2013,
from
http://www.managementstudyguide.com/berlo-model-of-commun
ication.htm
Berlos SMCR Model of Communication. (2010). Retrieved June
20,
2013,
from
http://communicationtheory.org/berlos-smcr-model-of-communic
ation/
Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected
Essays.
Retrieved
June
23,
2013,
from
http://www.sociosite.net/topics/texts/Geertz_Thick_Description.
php

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