The Three Functions of Communication According to Harold Lasswell's Model

Harold Lasswell was an American political scientist and communication theorist who developed a model of communication that focused on the functions of communication. According to Lasswell, communication serves three primary functions: surveillance, correlation, and transmission. These functions play a crucial role in the exchange of information and the overall effectiveness of communication.

1. Surveillance:
Surveillance refers to the function of communication that gathers, collects, and disseminates information about the environment. It involves keeping a watchful eye on events, trends, and developments in society. The goal of surveillance is to provide individuals and communities with the necessary information to make informed decisions and stay updated about what is happening around them. This function is particularly important in the media, where journalists and news organizations monitor and report on current events.

2. Correlation:
Correlation is the function of communication that analyzes and interprets the information gathered through surveillance. It involves making sense of the data, identifying patterns, and establishing relationships between different pieces of information. Correlation helps individuals and society as a whole to understand the significance and implications of the information collected. Through correlation, people can make connections, draw conclusions, and develop a comprehensive understanding of the world.

3. Transmission:
Transmission is the function of communication that involves the distribution of information to different individuals or groups. It includes the act of sending, sharing, and delivering messages from one source to another. Transmission ensures that the information collected through surveillance and analyzed through correlation is effectively communicated to the intended recipients. Communication channels such as newspapers, television, radio, internet, and interpersonal communication play a vital role in the transmission of information.

Conclusion:
In summary, Harold Lasswell's model of communication identifies three primary functions: surveillance, correlation, and transmission. Surveillance involves the collection and dissemination of information, correlation focuses on the analysis and interpretation of data, and transmission ensures the effective distribution of information to the intended recipients. Understanding these functions helps us comprehend the importance of communication in society and how it facilitates the exchange of information, ideas, and knowledge.