Lasswell Communication Process

The Lasswell Communication Process is the world's earliest model of the communication process, first presented in 1948 in the article "The Structure and Function of Communication in Society".

This model demonstrates the five basic elements of the communication process: the communicator, the message, the medium, the receiver, and the effect. Each of these five elements serves a different function in the communication process.

The communicator is the starting point of the communication process and is responsible for generating and sending the message. The message is the information in the communication process and can be an idea, concept or news. The medium is responsible for delivering the message, which can be a person, an organization, or a tool. The receiver is the end point of the communication process and is responsible for receiving and understanding the message. The effect is the impact and result of the message on the receiver.

The significance of Lasswell's model of the communication process is that it provides a basic framework for the study of communication and provides guidance for the study of communication processes and effects. At the same time, it lays down the five most basic elements of communication research, namely: control analysis, content analysis, media analysis, audience analysis and effect analysis.

However, Lasswell's model also has its limitations, for example, it ignores the influence of factors such as feedback and noise on the communication process, and it focuses mainly on linear communication while ignoring the interactivity and complexity of communication. Later, some scholars proposed more complex propagation models on this basis, such as the Shannon-Weaver mathematical model.

Laswell's communication process limitations:

1. Linearity and isolation: Lasswell's model describes communication as a linear, unidirectional process, starting from the transmitter to the end of the effect, during which neither the interconnection of the various other elements can be seen, nor can the feedback of the transmitter be seen. This linearity and isolation has obviously bound the thinking of later generations, ignoring the feedback mechanism and the interconnection between various elements in the communication process.

2. Lack of consideration of the external environment: Lasswell's model views the communication process as isolated and closed, without considering the influence of the external environment on the communication process. However, in the actual communication process, the external environment (such as social, cultural, political and other factors) has an important impact on the communication process and effect.

3. Neglecting the interactivity and complexity of communication: Lasswell's model mainly focuses on linear communication and neglects the interactivity and complexity of communication. In the real communication process, communication is two-way, interactive, involving the interaction of multiple elements and links.