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Aristotle’s Model of Communication is believed to be the first-ever model used for communicating. It was developed prior to 300 B.C.
Aristotle (384-322 B.C) was a Greek writer and philosopher. He was from Stagira in Northern Greece.
He examined human nature in a scientific way and created a linear model for communicating orally. This model of communication was called Aristotle's Model of Communication.
Aristotle’s Model has five main components: Speaker, Speech, Occasion, Audience, and Effect.
The model is speaker-centric. The speaker has played a central role. No one else is active.
The speaker has to give a speech before an audience. The audience is passive. Thus, the communication only flows from the speaker to the receiver.
The speaker has to prepare the speech keeping the audience and occasion in mind. The speech is created such that the audience is swayed by it.
Both the speaker and speech must be clear. They must communicate with the audience with more than just words, such as eye contact.
Application of the Model
The model is popular for building public speaking skills. It can be used to make propaganda. Thus, the attention paid to interpersonal or intrapersonal communication is low.
The model can be speaker-oriented, and despite audience engagement, feedback can not be possible.
Example - A social worker (speaker) delivers a speech to convince people (audience) to save water in the monsoons(occasion).
The people will only do this if the social worker has an impact on them. The speech has to sway the audience. The speaker must build the message with care.
There has to be clarity in speech. The speaker must use more than words with the audience, such as making eye contact.
3 Critical Elements of a Good Communicator
1. Ethos
Ethos increases credibility for the audience. Without it, the audience won’t trust or be influenced.
Employees will not listen to the advice of a boss they don’t have faith in. However, if the boss has a reputation of being an expert, what he/she says might impact the employees.
Leaders nowadays work on ethos by showing their technical expertise in a particular field.
This convinces the audience that the speaker knows what they are saying. The speaker also has to show that they have character and integrity.
2. Pathos
Speakers have to touch upon what is important for the audience to connect with them. This creates interest and makes one more credible.
Emotional connections will make capture the audience. It makes them feel the speaker is from among them.
If farmers need fertilizer subsidies and a leader wants to help provide farm equipment, they might not be swayed by him. However, if the leader promises to convince the Government to provide the subsidies, then they might follow the leader.
A leader has to focus on people or look after their co-workers' careers. If they take an interest in the organization's growth and the people who work for this, then they can be good leaders.
3. Logos
Logos means logic. People trust a speaker only if what is being said is understandable to them. They seek logic everywhere.
Without logic behind the speaker’s work or time, there will be less involvement. Everybody can find logic. They must be given facts to make a speaker believable.
A politician using reliable statistics will capture people's attention. It will convince them of the truth in what is being said.
Leaders nowadays express logical ideas by using analytical skills, strategic thinking strengths, problem-solving, clarity, and convincing terms to sway results.
Criticisms of Aristotle’s Model of Communication
Aristotle’s Model lacks feedback. The communication flows only from the speaker to the audience.
The idea of communication failure doesn’t exist. There are no barriers and noise. This is only good for speaking in public.
This video is on Aristotle's Model of Communication and it has the following sub-topics.
Time Stamps
0:00 Aristotle's Model of Communication Introduction
0:16 What is Aristotle’s Model of Communication?
1:24 Application of the Model
2:03 3 Critical Elements of a Good Communicator
3:58 Criticisms of Aristotle’s Model of Communication