Editing Symbolic communication (section)

== Models of Communication ==
[[File:Shannon communication system.svg|thumb|Shannon and Weaver model of communication]]
The [[Shannon–Weaver model|Shannon-Weaver Model]] of communication depicts the most basic communication between two individuals. In this linear process, the sender (source) transmits a message or signal to the receiver, which ultimately will end up going to its destination. The presence of noise within this model arises from disturbances that occur in everyday life. This can be the environment the individuals are in, the people around the individuals or different factors that affect how or if the message is received.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.communicationtheory.org/shannon-and-weaver-model-of-communication/|title=Shannon and Weaver Model of Communication|date=13 June 2011 }}</ref> The Shannon and Weaver model sets a precedent for symbolic communication, using semantics to create a basis for language. With semantics in play, researchers can understand symbols not only in their own environment, but other symbolic communication strategies as well.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Communication models : for the study of mass communications|last=McQuail, Denis|date=1993|publisher=Longman|author2=Windahl, Swen|isbn=058203650X|edition= 2nd|location=London|oclc=26397045}}</ref>

Del Hawkins, a doctoral student from the University of Texas, proposed a model of communication that depicts how symbols, if responded to by an individual, can be used as a conversation. The determinants of this process are the source and the recipient, respectively. The four processes that the source performs in this model are sensing, conceiving, encoding, and transmitting.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Hawkins|first=Del I.|date=1973|title=Model of Symbolic Communication|journal=Journal of Advertising Research|volume=13|issue=3|pages=33–38}}</ref> In response to these, the receiver receives, decodes, and internalizes the information. During this process, the source and receiver take turns communicating, thus letting the model flow cyclically. (See [[Organizational theory|Organizational Theory]]) Once a symbol is known in a society, it is habitual for an individual to respond to it exactly like how they would previously. If a symbol is given that is not known in one's own society, the response will take longer. This is because the individual does not know what the symbol actually means to the source. Because the symbol may have a different meaning to the source and receiver, the individual receiving the information may take longer to process it because they need to figure out what the symbol may mean. They may use context clues or existing knowledge to help decode specific messages.<ref name=":0" />