In the passage from the book, linear models only have one direction, from a speaker to a listener. For example, a teacher is giving instructions to a student, which the student would listen carefully and do certain reactions to respond, such as nodding, smiling to show that they have received the information from the teacher. Also, listeners will never send messages, they absorb only passively what the speakers have told them. Misunderstanding is easier to occur during linear models, because there were lack of connections between them.
While interactive models involve feed-backs from the listeners, but it still required a sender and a receiver. Refer to the previous example, after the teacher has given out instructions, the student would shares his/her own views or experiences based on the information that he/she has heard from the teacher. According to the text, all communications require people both send and receive messages. Therefore, interactive models still can not consider as communication.
This is a really well composed response. However, I wonder if you confused one part. I could be wrong, but I think my book describes that according to the linear model, the listener does not respond to the speaker through nodding, smiling, etc. It does, however, say listeners don’t send messages, just as you stated. Also, I disagree with your statement that the interactive model can’t be considered communication. It definitely can’t be considered good or personal communication, but I believe it portrays a simpler and maybe even more primitive form of communicating. That’s just my personal opinion though, and you’re completely entitled to your own, which I very much enjoyed reading about. :)
ReplyDeleteI like your example of the teacher and the student. This opportunity also allows the teacher to get cues from the student. If the student doesn't understand the assignment the teacher should be able to recognize this from the cues the student gives. This is why the interactive model of communication is more accurate. Listeners are not just passive listeners. They also communicate to the speaker by the cues they give. Whether it's by nodding or by appearing to be distracted, a listener also communicates to the speaker.
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