The ritualistic model of communication

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Introduction to Media
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SOCIOLOGY
Communication can be defined as the process with the help of which information is
transferred from one person to another. While communicating, people share their thoughts, ideas
and knowledge to the other person in the process of communication. It can also be said that
while communicating, signs are mediated for the interaction process which involves two or more
people. James Carey points out that there are two kinds of communication models, Transmission
and Ritual which have been dominant throughout the history of western civilization and
communication processes. The thesis of the paper is to discuss communication with respect to
Carey’s ideas.
Transmission is the process of communication which is mostly used in the society. In this
model of communication, the basic idea is to communicate the ideas to the other person hoping
that the correct message will be understood by the receiver. The theory is very pertinent when
one tries to understand communication patterns of daily lives when one tries to engage in
communication to send across messages readily. This model is very important and helps in the
process of exchange of knowledge, even beyond geographical barriers. Casey understands that
the transmission model of communication involves to spread information beyond geographical
constraints, with the help of instantaneous communication (Deuze 2011). The act of reading
newspaper, is also regarded as transmission communication as, through readings information are
gathered.
On the contrary, the ritualistic model of communication involve a metaphor as
communication process is regarded as a ceremony. The people who engage in the
communication process are not senders or receivers but participants in the entire process, unlike
transmission model. The ritual model does not correspond to the process of disseminating
information. According to Carey, ritual mode of communication is further explained in terms of