Model of

Communication

In the figure you see the sender (S), receiver (R) and the message (X), but not the communication channel. In addition, the sender receives feedback (F) from the recipient. During the transmission of a message interference or noise (N) may occur. Sender and receiver have a certain relationship to one another (V). The relation influences the nature and the expression of the message. You may well talk differently to a Member of Parliament than to a shopkeeper, even if it is not your intention. Furthermore, relations affect how the message needs to be understood; what the sender means but not always says.

Furthermore, both sender and receiver have their own frame of reference (the square around S and R). A frame of reference is like glasses, indicating how an individual perceives the world, like your own culture. It makes you evaluate things in a certain way and largely determines how you react. This frame of reference is different for everyone (like individual culture, see Culture 6).

The final element in this model is the emotion (E) of the sender and receiver. People often underestimate the importance of emotion. You communicate for a reason and others read even your subconscious behaviour. Because of this aspect of involvement, no neutral communication does exist.

The two partners in the communication process may also reach rather different conclusions from the same conversation, misunderstand one another or give another emotional value to a concept, even when speaking the same native language.