Rubber Band Model of Communication - Essay Example

The Rubber Band Model of communication, as the term denotes uses the analogy of a rubber band. The elastic property of the rubber band is used to explain the communication process. . The Rubber Band Model can be explained with the following diagrams. The figures Fig.1 and Fig.2 show the communication process as proposed by the Rubber Band model. Fig.1 shows a stretched rubber band. The black portion is the piece of rubber band and the dotted lines show it in the stretched position.

If we consider the piece of the rubber band as the message transmitted by the sender the stretched portion explains the transmission of the message. The elastic property of the rubber band can be attributed to the nature of the message, transmission process, and channel. If stretched further, the message will reach a different receiver. It requires a more elastic material (a strong rubber band or a lengthy one) to stretch to a considerable length. The process of communication is similar. If the message has to be reached to a wider audience it has to be powerful, or in other words, a mediated communication has to take place which occurs only in mass communication.

Similarly, the stretched rubber band when released (See Fig.2) gets back to the previous destination, which also explains the feedback. Critique of the Rubber Band model of communications Rubber Band model is a dynamic model when compared to the linear models of communication as it proves that messages can be sent in an intended direction. This helps to explain interpersonal communication as well as group communication. The elastic property of the rubber band and its analogy used in the model also explain the mass communication process.