NTA NET Notes

NTA UGC NET MCJ Unit 1 Part 3: Communication Models, Theories and Barriers

NTA UGC NET Mass Communication and Journalism Paper II Unit 1 notes on communication models, theories, barriers, noise, feedback, entropy, redundancy and PYQ-mapped revision areas.

NTA UGC NET MCJ Unit 1 Part 3: Communication Models, Theories and Barriers

NTA UGC NET Mass Communication and Journalism – Paper II

Subject Code 63 | Unit 1: Introduction to Journalism and Mass Communication

Part 3: Communication Models, Theories and Barriers

Exam Focus: This section covers major communication models, key mass communication theories, communication barriers, feedback, noise, entropy, redundancy, encoding and decoding. These areas are repeatedly useful for model-author matching, chronological order, assertion-reason, concept identification and PYQ revision.
PYQ Mapping Used: Year references are mapped from the uploaded UGC/NTA NET MCJ previous-year papers. Older papers may appear as Paper II or Paper III, but both are relevant for current Paper II subject preparation.

1. Topic at a Glance

Area What to Study PYQ Pattern
Communication Process Sender, message, channel, receiver, feedback, noise. Direct concept / process sequence.
Models Lasswell, Shannon-Weaver, Osgood-Schramm, Newcomb, Westley-MacLean, Gerbner, Berlo, Dance. Match model with author; arrange in chronological order.
Theories Two-step flow, gatekeeping, agenda setting, magic bullet, diffusion, uses and gratification, cultivation, spiral of silence. Match theory with scholar / identify core idea.
Barriers Semantic, physical, psychological, social, cultural, organisational and status barriers. Concept identification and application-based questions.
Information Theory Terms Noise, entropy, redundancy, feedback, encoding, decoding. Definition-based and model-linked questions.

2. Communication Process Infographic

Sender→ Encoding→ Message→ Channel→ Receiver→ Decoding→ Feedback
Noise: Anything that disturbs the communication process is called noise. It may be physical, semantic, psychological, cultural or technical.

3. Types of Communication Models

Model Type Basic Idea Examples
Linear Model One-way flow from sender to receiver. Lasswell, Shannon-Weaver.
Circular / Interactive Model Communication includes feedback and response. Osgood-Schramm.
Transactional Model Communication is simultaneous, contextual and meaning-based. Human communication models with shared meaning.
Helical Model Communication grows continuously over time like a spiral. F. E. X. Dance.

4. Major Communication Models: Quick Table

Model Scholar / Author Core Idea PYQ Link
Lasswell Model Harold D. Lasswell Who says what, in which channel, to whom, with what effect. Dec 2007 Paper II; June 2008 Paper II; July 2016 Paper III; Nov 2017 Paper III.
Shannon-Weaver Model Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver Mathematical model; source, transmitter, signal, receiver, destination and noise. June 2008 Paper II; Dec 2010 Paper II; Dec 2014 Paper III; June 2014 Paper III.
Osgood-Schramm Model Charles E. Osgood and Wilbur Schramm Circular model; encoding, decoding and interpreting happen continuously. June 2008 Paper II; Dec 2010 Paper II.
Schramm Model Wilbur Schramm Field of experience is important for shared meaning. Dec 2007 Paper II; Dec 2014 Paper III.
Newcomb's ABX Model Theodore Newcomb Communication maintains balance between A, B and X. Dec 2009 Paper II; Dec 2015 Paper III.
Westley and MacLean Model Bruce Westley and Malcolm MacLean Explains mass communication with events, channels, gatekeepers and feedback. June 2009 Paper II; Dec 2011 Paper II; Dec 2015 Paper III.
Gerbner's Model George Gerbner Focuses on event, perception, message and access to information. June 2013 Paper III; June 2014 Paper III; Dec 2015 Paper III.
Berlo's SMCR Model David K. Berlo Source, Message, Channel and Receiver. Dec 2007 Paper II; Dec 2010 Paper II; June 2014 Paper III.
Dance's Helical Model F. E. X. Dance Communication is dynamic and expands through time. Dec 2007 Paper II; Dec 2009 Paper II; June 2008 Paper II; June 2014 Paper III.

5. Lasswell Model

Who→ Says What→ In Which Channel→ To Whom→ With What Effect
Part of Lasswell Formula Related Analysis
Who? Control analysis / communicator study.
Says what? Content analysis.
In which channel? Media analysis.
To whom? Audience analysis.
With what effect? Effect analysis.
PYQ Reminder: Lasswell appears in PYQs through model identification, author-concept matching and chronology questions. Check Dec 2007 Paper II, June 2008 Paper II, July 2016 Paper III and Nov 2017 Paper III.

6. Shannon and Weaver Model

Information Source→ Transmitter→ Signal→ Receiver→ Destination
Noise Source: In this model, noise is the disturbance that affects signal transmission. This is why the model is important in questions on technical communication and information theory.
Level / Problem Meaning
Level A Technical problem: How accurately can symbols be transmitted?
Level B Semantic problem: How precisely do transmitted symbols convey meaning?
Level C Effectiveness problem: How effectively does the received meaning affect conduct?
PYQ Reminder: Shannon-Weaver is repeatedly asked in model chronology and information-theory questions. June 2014 Paper III specifically asked the Level C problem area.

7. Berlo's SMCR Model

Element Components to Remember
Source Communication skills, attitude, knowledge, social system, culture.
Message Content, elements, treatment, structure, code.
Channel Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting.
Receiver Communication skills, attitude, knowledge, social system, culture.
Memory Trick: SMCR = Source – Message – Channel – Receiver. It is useful for direct model questions.

8. Osgood-Schramm Circular Model

The Osgood-Schramm model presents communication as a circular and continuous process. Both parties encode, decode and interpret messages. It gives importance to feedback and shared meaning.

Encode→ Message→ Decode→ Interpret→ Feedback

9. Westley and MacLean Model

Westley and MacLean expanded communication modelling for mass communication contexts. Their model explains the role of events, advocacy, channels, gatekeepers and feedback.

PYQ Reminder: Westley and MacLean appears in matching questions with communication models and authors. It is useful to connect this model with mass communication and gatekeeping.

10. Newcomb ABX Model

Newcomb's ABX model explains how communication helps maintain balance in social relationships. A and B are communicators, and X is the object, issue or event they communicate about.

Element Meaning
A Person or communicator 1.
B Person or communicator 2.
X Object, issue, event or topic.

11. Dance's Helical Model

Dance's helical model shows communication as a growing spiral. Communication is not fixed or circular in a simple repeated way; it develops as people gain more experience and knowledge over time.

PYQ Reminder: Dec 2007 Paper II links the idea that knowledge tends to create more knowledge with the helical model. June 2014 Paper III also uses the helical model in sequence-based model questions.

12. Communication Theories: High-Yield Table

Theory Scholar / Association Core Idea PYQ Link
Magic Bullet / Hypodermic Needle Powerful media effects tradition Media messages are assumed to have strong, direct and uniform effects. July 2016 Paper III; Jan 2017 Paper III.
Two-step Flow Paul Lazarsfeld, Elihu Katz and others Media influence often passes through opinion leaders. June 2006 Paper II; June 2014 Paper III; July 2016 Paper III; July 2018 Paper II.
Gatekeeping Kurt Lewin / David Manning White tradition Selection and filtering of news before it reaches the public. Dec 2011 Paper II; Dec 2012 Paper III; July 2016 Paper III; July 2018 Paper II.
Agenda Setting Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw Media may not tell people what to think, but can influence what to think about. June 2009 Paper II; July 2016 Paper III.
Diffusion of Innovations Everett M. Rogers Explains how new ideas and innovations spread in society. June 2009 Paper II; Dec 2012 Paper III; June 2015 Paper III; Sept 2016 Paper III; July 2018 Paper II.
Uses and Gratifications Katz, Blumler and Gurevitch tradition Audience actively chooses media to satisfy needs. June 2009 Paper II; June 2012 Paper III; Jan 2017 Paper III.
Cultivation Theory George Gerbner Long-term television exposure shapes viewers' perception of reality. June 2007 Paper II; June 2009 Paper II; Dec 2012 Paper III; Jan 2017 Paper III; July 2018 Paper II.
Spiral of Silence Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann People may remain silent when they feel their opinion is in the minority. June 2006 Paper II; Dec 2007 Paper II; June 2008 Paper II; Dec 2009 Paper II.

13. Communication Barriers

Barrier Meaning Example
Physical Barrier Noise, distance or technical disturbance. Poor microphone, weak internet, loud environment.
Semantic Barrier Problem of meaning and interpretation. Jargon, unfamiliar words, ambiguity.
Psychological Barrier Attitude, emotion, fear or prejudice affecting communication. An anxious listener misunderstands a message.
Social Barrier Communication restricted by social norms or topics being off-limit. Some topics cannot be discussed openly in a group.
Organisational Barrier Hierarchy, status difference and formal structure blocking free flow. Employees hesitate to communicate with senior officials.
Cultural Barrier Differences in language, values, symbols and customs. A symbol has different meanings in different cultures.
PYQ Reminder: Barriers appear in Dec 2007 Paper II, June 2006 Paper II, July 2016 Paper III, Sept 2016 Paper III and Jan 2017 Paper III. Pay special attention to length, status difference, social barriers and organisational barriers.

14. Important Information Theory Terms

Term Meaning PYQ Link
Noise Any disturbance that interferes with communication. Dec 2006 Paper II; June 2013 Paper III; June 2014 Paper III.
Feedback Receiver's response that returns to the sender. Dec 2010 Paper II; June 2012 Paper III; June 2013 Paper III.
Entropy Randomness or uncertainty in communication. Dec 2010 Paper II; June 2008 Paper II; June 2009 Paper II.
Redundancy Repetition or predictability that helps reduce uncertainty. June 2012 Paper III; June 2014 Paper III; Nov 2017 Paper III.
Encoding Converting ideas into symbols or messages. June 2012 Paper III; July 2016 Paper III.
Decoding Interpreting symbols and deriving meaning. June 2012 Paper III; useful with semiotics and meaning-making.

15. PYQ Mapping: Model and Theory Areas

PYQ Year / Paper Question Area How to Revise
Dec 2007 Paper II Lasswell model improvement; helical model idea; communication barrier. Revise Lasswell, Schramm, Dance and barrier types.
June 2008 Paper II Chronological order of communication models. Memorise: Lasswell → Shannon-Weaver → Osgood-Schramm → Dance.
Dec 2009 Paper II Model-author matching: Dance, Noelle-Neumann, Shannon-Weaver, Newcomb. Revise model-author table.
Dec 2010 Paper II Publication order of models; entropy; sender-receiver model. Revise Shannon-Weaver, Lasswell, Osgood-Schramm and Dance chronology.
June 2012 Paper III Redundancy, encoding, feedback, aberrant decoding. Revise information theory and semiotic interpretation.
June 2013 Paper III Gerbner model, noise and feedback. Revise Gerbner model components.
June 2014 Paper III Shannon-Weaver Level C problem; communication model sequence. Revise Level A/B/C and model sequence.
Dec 2015 Paper III Model matching: Jakobson, Westley-MacLean, Newcomb, Gerbner. Revise model names and structure.
July 2016 Paper III Magic bullet, two-step flow, gatekeeping, agenda setting, barriers. Revise media effects theories and application examples.
Jan 2017 Paper III Magic bullet and theory sequence. Revise strong effects and later audience/media theories.
July 2018 Paper II Two-step model, gatekeeping, cultivation, diffusion. Revise theory assumptions and limitations.

16. Frequently Repeated PYQ Areas

Area 1: Match communication model with author.
Area 2: Arrange models in chronological order.
Area 3: Identify elements of Lasswell and Shannon-Weaver models.
Area 4: Distinguish linear, circular, transactional and helical models.
Area 5: Match mass communication theories with scholars.
Area 6: Identify barriers, noise, entropy, redundancy and feedback.
Area 7: Explain gatekeeping, two-step flow, agenda setting and cultivation in simple terms.

17. Quick Revision Sheet

Remember One-line Revision
Lasswell Who says what, in which channel, to whom, with what effect.
Shannon-Weaver Mathematical model with noise.
Osgood-Schramm Circular model with continuous feedback.
Berlo SMCR: Source, Message, Channel, Receiver.
Newcomb ABX balance model.
Westley-MacLean Mass communication model with gatekeeping.
Dance Helical model; communication grows over time.
Magic Bullet Strong, direct, uniform media effects.
Two-step Flow Media → opinion leaders → people.
Agenda Setting Media influences public agenda.
Cultivation Long-term TV viewing shapes reality perception.
Spiral of Silence People may silence minority opinions.

18. Practice Questions with PYQ Angle

1. Which model asks: Who says what, in which channel, to whom, with what effect?
Answer: Lasswell model.
PYQ Angle: Model identification and author matching.
2. Which communication model gives importance to noise?
Answer: Shannon-Weaver model.
PYQ Angle: Information theory and mathematical model questions.
3. What is the full form of Berlo's SMCR model?
Answer: Source, Message, Channel and Receiver.
PYQ Angle: Direct model-element question.
4. Which theory says that media influence often passes through opinion leaders?
Answer: Two-step flow theory.
PYQ Angle: Asked through theory identification and assertion-reason format.
5. Which theory is associated with George Gerbner?
Answer: Cultivation theory.
PYQ Angle: Often linked with heavy viewers, light viewers and mainstreaming.
6. What is redundancy in communication?
Answer: Repetition or predictability that helps reduce uncertainty and support understanding.
PYQ Angle: June 2012 Paper III and June 2014 Paper III areas.

19. Final Exam Tip

This section should be revised through two tables: model-author table and theory-scholar table. After that, practise chronology questions and concept identification questions. For last-minute revision, remember Lasswell, Shannon-Weaver, Osgood-Schramm, Berlo, Newcomb, Westley-MacLean, Gerbner and Dance first.

Next Part: Unit 1 Part 4 can cover types of communication, levels of communication, verbal/non-verbal communication and communication skills.
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