ShannonWeaver

The Shannon–Weaver model of communication, commonly referred to as the Shannon–Weaver model, is a foundational framework in information theory and communication studies. It was introduced in 1949 by Claude E. Shannon and Warren Weaver, building on Shannon’s 1948 mathematical theory of communication. The model presents a linear process for transmitting a message from an information source to a destination through a channel, with potential interference from noise.

In the model, the information source generates a message that is encoded into signals by a transmitter. The signals travel through a channel to a receiver, where they are decoded back into a message for the destination. Key components include the information source, transmitter (encoder), channel, receiver (decoder), and destination, with noise acting as a disturbance that can distort the signal. The framework also emphasizes the distinction between information content and meaning, focusing on how much information can be reliably transmitted rather to how the message is interpreted by the recipient. Concepts such as encoding, decoding, and channel capacity—often described using information theory metrics—are central to its analysis.

The model has had a broad influence, shaping studies in telecommunications, computer networks, and, later, media and communication research. It has been supplemented by later theories that incorporate feedback, interaction, and semantic or pragmatic aspects. Critics note its linear, one-way structure and limited treatment of meaning and context, but it remains a widely cited reference for understanding the mechanics of information transfer.