Berlos SMCR

Model of Communication

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PhD in communication
Educator, author, and communication
department chair (at Michigan State
University)
Established one of USAs first
undergraduate course in Communication
Textbook (The Process of
Communication)
Proponent of the SMCR model of
communication

David K. Berlo
1960
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4
Components

SenderMessageChannelReceiver
Involves variables that affect the whole communication system
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SMCRN
Disregarding one variable could lead to ineffective or
inefficient communication, or communication
breakdown
Each person plays both roles in an interaction

Noise was later added as a factor affecting

communication, hence SMCRN
Sender
Conveys a written or oral
message
Manages exchanges between
him/her and the listener
Organizes what to say before
transmission
Variables (Sender)
1. Communication Skills
2. Attitudes toward self, receiver, and environment
3. Background Knowledge (regarding what you are both talking about)
4. Social Systems
Values, beliefs, laws, rules, religion
5. Culture
Message
Created when sender converts thought to
words.
Information received by the listener from
the speaker.
Verbal, Non-verbal, or Graphic
A message can be sent even without
speaking (ex: through actions like
grinning, etc.)
Some non-verbal messages are misinterpreted
by decoders
Variables (Message)
1. Content
2. Elements
3. Treatment
4. Structure
5. Code
Channel
Medium by which the
message is communicated
Oral, Written, or Graphic
Modern technology has aided
greatly in transmitting
messages through varying
channels
Variables (Channel)
Hearing
Seeing
Touching
Smelling.
Tasting
Receiver
Also known as the Decoder, and
the Listener
The one who listens to the
conveyed message
Variables (Receiver)
1. Communication skills
2. Attitudes
3. Knowledge
4. Social Systems
5. Culture
Noise
May be Internal or External

Internal
-Physiological
-Psychological
-*Cultural

External
-Physical
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Strengths
It makes clear that message and medium are aligned with the
recipient
Takes into account the emotional aspect of the message or its
psychological view
Regarded as basic knowledge because of its simplicity

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Weaknesses
It portrays a linear model, thereby feedback as part of
communication is excluded
It lacks discussion on the barriers of communication
Berlos claim that senders and receivers must be on the same
level of communication is not necessarily true.
Nursing Application
HEALTH TEACHINGS
GIVING OF MEDICATIONS
TAKING OF HEALTH HISTORY
- as senders, we are obliged to organize what to say before facing the patient
- as receivers, we are asked to always be sensitive for a patients message is
often expressed through actions

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Complications in Nursing
Scenario 1 : Student-nurses in the classroom.

Student-nurses gained the necessary skills in

nursing care through their clinical instructors. This
means that during lectures, the students were not
gifted with the knowledge of their course prior to
the teachings of their professors. Rather, they
began from having only minimal knowledge while
their professors are already holders of masters
degree from the beginning.
Complications in Nursing
Scenario 2: Patient-nurse interaction

From the beginning, nurses were taught the

concept of transcultural nursing. Therefore while
the nurse is gifted with communication skills
catered to numerous cultures, he or she is
capable of interacting with a patient limited to his
or her culture alone.