Comparison
of The Bhatta-Mimamsa Model of Communication and Berlo's SMCR Model of
Communication
Communication theory is the
branch of knowledge dealing with the principles and methods by which
information is conveyed. The communication model is similarly a symbolic
representation of the communication process.
It does not show the details of a message rather it presents only those
elements which are related to the object of sending a message. It is important
to have comparative analysis of communication models because the comparative
analysis is especially useful as each example served as a great guide or
template for understanding the other. The side by side examination of two or
more alternatives, processes, products, qualifications, sets of data, systems,
etc., to determine if they have enough common-ground, equivalence, or
similarities to permit a meaningful comparative analysis.
Background:
The Bhatta-Mimamsa Model
of Communication is developed by Dr. Nirmala Mani Adhikary in 2013 through the
theory of his doctoral dissertation of “The Bhatta-Mimamsa Philosophical Study
of Communication”. This model represents the communication process which shows
the interrelation of each elements in interactive manner to show a successful communication
process. Each elements plays their role which shows the importance of eastern
system of communication process which has the ultimate goal of Arthi Bhavana
(feeling to take action).
David K. Berlo, a
communication theorist and consultant developed a model named S-M-C-R model of
communication in 1960 in his book “The process of communication”. This model of
communication is postulated from Shannon Weaver's Model of Communication
(1949). He described factors affecting the individual components in the communication
making the communication more efficient. Berlo pointed out the importance of
the psychological view in his communication model.
The comparative analysis
of the eastern communication model Bhatta-Mimamsa Model of Communication and
the western Berlo’s S-M-C-R Model of Communication shows the comparison of the
features of different communication models and their similarities as well.
Comparative
Analysis
Differences
·
The Bhatta-Mimamsa Model of Communication
contains 11 elements of communication-- 1. Bhavakas (Preshaka, i.e., sender,
and Prapaka, i.e., receiver) 2. Bhavana (emotions, moods), 3. Abhidhan (encoding), 4. Prama (Message), 5.
Karan (channel or media), 6. Bodha (decoding), 7. Dosha (Noise), 8. Prakarana (context),
9. Jijnasa (Feedback), 10. Arthi Bhavana (feeling to take an action). These
elements are classified under four key themes—Karta , Sadhan , Itikartavyata,
and Sadhya)
·
Berlo’s SMCR Model of Communication
contains 4 major elements—Source, Message, Channel and Receiver. Under these
elements, this model contains the following factors—Source (Communication Skills,
Attitudes, Knowledge, Social System, Culture), Message (Content, Elements,
Treatment, Structure, Code), Channel (Hearing, Seeing, Touching, Smelling, Tasting),
Receiver (Communication Skills, Attitudes, Knowledge, Social System, Culture).
Ø The
Bhatta-Mimamsa Model of Communication is non-linear i.e. interactive model of
communication.
Ø Berlo’s
SMCR Model of communication is a linear model of communication.
v The
Bhatta-Mimamsa Model of communication focuses on encoding and decoding with
participatory approach where the Bhavakas (Preshaka, i.e., sender, and Prapaka,
i.e., receiver) where the Prama (Message) goes to Abhidhan (encoding) through Karan
(channel or media) and comes to Bodha (decoding). The Prama consists of Bhavana
(emotions, moods) which also meets with certain Dosha (Noise) in the
communication process. According to Prakarana (context) of the Prama, Jijnasa
(Feedback) is obtained. The process results to Arthi Bhavana which leads the
receiver to take certain action
v Berlo’s
SMCR model focuses on encoding and decoding which happens before sender sends
the message and before receiver receives the message respectively. The sender
sends the message through some channel to the receiver. Since it is a linear
model of communication, the sender can become the receiver but with no
feedback.
The
Bhatta-Mimamsa Model of Communication has the outcome of Arthi Bhavana which
means the feeling to take action in the communication process.Berlo’s
SMCR Model of communication has the outcome of reaching out the message to the
receiver where message and medium are aligned with the recipient.
§ The
Bhatta-Mimamsa Model of Communication prioritizes the use of sixth sense at the
topmost level in terms of communication, since the goal is Arthi Bhavana (the
feeling to take action).
§ Berlo’s
SMCR model omits the usage of sixth sense as a channel which is actually a gift
to the human beings (thinking, understanding, analyzing etc.).
Simiarities
In terms of similarities—both
the Bhatta-Mimamsa model of communication and Berlo’s model of communication includes
the sender who sends the message through certain channels which gets to the
receiver. Both the model contains factors affecting the individual components
in the communication making the communication more efficient. Both the
Bhatta-Mimamsa Model of Communication and The Berlo’s model of communication
takes into account the emotional aspect of the message.
Conclusion
Berlo’s model tries to
define all the stages of communication and list all the things that can affect
it. But his linear model has become too complex to understand. However, The
Bhatta-Mimamsa model expresses the authentic eastern communication process which
involves non-linear characteristics and is also not too complex to understand
the communication process. The comparative analysis of both the models
expresses the process of each communication models with their own peculiar features.
