Importance of Aristotle’s model of

communication and comparison

between Aristotle’s and Shannon -
Weaver’s communication models
Posted on S eptember 16, 2012
Significance of Aristotle’s Model
Today “ communication “is one of the most interested area of study. Every one dreams to
become a effective communicator. The study of communication model helps us in this manner. The
study of communication is very old concept. Aristotle was the great scholar of 3oo B.C, who took the
initiative to design the very first model of communication, which is called as “Aristotle’s model of
communication”.

The communication model of Aristotle is widely accepted because of its simplicity. Anyone who is
needs to excel themselves in public speaking ,seminar, presentations can make use of this model.
Here the sender is the active and the receiver is passive one.

1.Aristotle is the first scholar to give a model to communication.

2.He has given greater importance to the role of a speaker. So, its very useful to all those who want
to mould their pubic speaking skill.

3.According to this model, the speaker should know about his target audience .For example their
educational background, socio economic status,etc…….So that he can prepare his speech on the
basis of all these.Such communication definitely will reach his audience in effective manner.

4.The non verbal communications significance also mentioned indirectly.

5.The Aristotle’s model of communication is widely accepted model of communication . Even

though there are some critics this model stands unique in its own way .

6.In this communication model both the sender and receiver acts in a responsible manner.

7.Its very useful for anyone who is going to be the public speaker.

8.This model is concerntrated more on public speaking than interpersonal communication.

The shannon –Weaver’s model of communication

The shanon and weaver model (1949) represents the process of communication in a linear manner.
There is a direct link between the sender and receiver .In all there are seven components in a linear
model. There is a source of information. Similarly there is a destination to the information being
sent. The information is encoded in the form of message by the transmitter and sent to the receiver.
The receiver receives it and encodes it.

The similarities & differences between Aristotle’s model and Shannon – Weaver model :
1.In Aristotles model the speaker has gained more importance.This theory gives more guidance to a
person who want to become a effective public speaker.

In Shannon – Weaver’s both the sender and receiver are equal important.

2.The Shannon – Weaver’s model is developed by the mathematicians. Its more technical and
scientific. The Aristotle’s model is is very much comprehensive and its possible for a common man
to understand make use of this model.

3. Shannon – Weaver’s model says that the communication is complete only when one takes account
of noise and feedback. For a successful communication its vital that the receiver gives feedback to
the sender. This model says that, a feedback may be verbal or non-verbal but its the indication that
the receiver is getting the message.Ongoing feedback also possible in the communication. Noise
is the disturbance which breaks the meaning of communication. The feedback and noise is not
mentioned in the Aristotle’s model.

4.The Shannon and Weaver model is more static and linear compared to Aristotle,s model.

5.If we want to know what is Shannon and Weavers model its necessary to know the meaning of its
each component.The model of Aristotle is very much easy to understand ,Because the components
only tells their meaning.

6.The It’s more effective in person-to-person communication than group or mass audience.

7. The model based on “Sender and Receiver”. Here sender plays the primary role and receiver
plays the secondary role (receive the information or passive). The model is clearly deals with
external noises only which affect the messages or signals from external sources. For example: If
there is any problems occur in network which directly affect the mobile Aristotle proposed a model
of communication suitable for public speaking. He put the speaker at the centre of the
communication process. The speaker prepares a message for an intended audience. The message is
intended to have an effect- influence the audience. The audience is seen to be passive and ready to be
influenced by the speaker’s message.
To put it in other words, according to Aristotle a speaker sends a message to an audience and the
audience is affected by the message received.
8.According to Aristotle’s model the message which is encoded from the speaker reaches the
audience directly.

But the Shannon and Weaver rejected this .According to them the message has to face one or the
other obstacles which is known as “Noise”. So, I consider Shannon and Weaver’s model as more
realistic one. Because when we brings the communication theory into practice, we will come to
experience personally the noise or disturbance each prevents us to reach our audience. So. who ever
going to be the public speaker its better to refer this model, because we will become aware about the
obstacles.

9.The communication model of Shannon and Weaver clearly shows that why even the simple
communication becomes complex. Its easier to understand why other people can not understand our
message. But in Aristotle’s model lots of importance is given to speaker and how should he
communicate, so the receiver receives less attention.Whether he understood the message or not is
ignored.

10.Shannon and weaver model is widely applicable . social science fields such as education,
organizational analysis, psychology, etc. In engineering and mathematics , Shannon’s theory is used
more literally and is referred to as Shannon theory. Even the Aristotle’s model also referred by
several fields, but on a general basis.

11.The Shannon and Weaver model is most applicable to inter personal communication, where the
sender and receiver are having the opportunity to know each other, and there is chances for mutual
interaction. But the communication model of Arisrtotle is much applicable for public communication
where a single person address mass audience, and the audience may know the speaker ,but the
speaker may not know each audience. The sender may not know how the receiver is feeling with the
message.

Eventhough, there are certain limitations in Aristotle’s and Shannon and Weaver’s model , they are
master pieces in explaining the process of communication. We can make use of both the models
to be a best communicator. Both the models have greater contribution to the study of
communication.

Bibliography:
 J.T. wood (2006),Communication of mosaics : An introduction to the field of
communication,5th edition, Wadsworth Publications, United States