Laswell’s Communication Model / Five W's

Knowledge Center

• About
• Home
• Dictionary
• Encyclopedia
• Question?
• Views

• Register
• Log in
• Help

• Change & Organization
• Communication & Skills
• Decision-making & Valuation
• Ethics & Responsibility
• Finance & Investing
• HRM
• Knowledge & Intangibles
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Program & Project
• Strategy
• Supply Chain & Quality

Description of Laswell’s Communication Model (Five W's). Explanation.

Definition Laswell’s Communication Model / Five W's. Description.

The Five W's by Harold Laswell is a model used to analyze mass communication processes.

In 1948 Laswell proposed a model to describe mass communication processes known as the Five W's Method or Laswell’s Communication Model. He was the first in media studies literature to build up a valid framework that fitted both supporters of passive and active audiences. His studies started a new wave of ideas giving birth to mass communication theories like: Limited Effects Theory, Uses and Gratification Theory, Play Theory of Mass Communication, Spiral of Silence, Cultivation Theory, and Dependence Theory.

Note that in the 1950s mass communication was perceived to be asymmetrical, with powerful media and passive audiences manipulated by messages. See: Hypodermic Needle Theory.

According to the 5 W's model, a scientific analysis of a mass communication message is feasible by answering the following 5 questions:

1. Control analysis: Who / What organization is behind the production of messages?
2. Content analysis: What is the content of a message?
3. Media analysis: Which media channel is used?
4. Audience analysis: To Whom is the communication directed?
5. Effect analysis: What effects are produced by the messages broadcasted?

Among the 5 W's, the most important enquiry field is the content analysis. It defines the scope of a message and enables to track the effects of communication.

Laswell Communication Model (Five Ws) Forum   Kipling Six Ws / 6 W's / 5W1H Rudyard Kipling, English Nobel Prize winner for Literature (1907) writer and poet, known for his tales and tales and poems of British soldiers in India and for "The Jungle Book" (the story about little boy Mowli being raised by wild animals), expande...         Begin a new topic

Laswell Communication Model (Five Ws) Special Interest Group Special Interest Group

Best Practices - Laswell Communication Model (Five Ws) Premium

Expert Tips - Laswell Communication Model (Five Ws) Premium

Resources - Laswell Communication Model (Five Ws) Premium Business Communication: How to Write a Well-organized Message This extensive presentation contains multiple advises and recommendations for the Organization of a Message, including what to do before develo... Usage (application): Business Communication, Message Writing, Communication a Message   Types and Functions of Organizational Communication Presentation about Organizational Communication Networks and related concepts, including the following sections: 1. Functions of Communication Ne... Usage (application): Communication Functions, Communication Structures, Network Organization, Communication Networks   3 Levels of Communication Skills for Managing and Leadership According to Barrett (2006) leadership communication can be referred to as the determined and purposeful delivery of messages by which leaders guide, ... Usage (application): Leadership, Communication Skills, Leadership Communication Framework, Barett     News Laswell Communication Model (five Ws)         Videos Laswell Communication Model (five Ws)         Presentations Laswell Communication Model (five Ws)         More Laswell Communication Model (five Ws)

Return to Management Hub: Communication & Skills  |  Ethics & Responsibility  |  Marketing

More on Management  |  Return to Management Dictionary  | 

This ends our Laswell’s Model / Five W's summary and forum.