The article focuses on the status of the transmission approach to communication. The approach is derived from Claude Shannon’s and Warren Weaver’s mathematical theory of communication, and is primarily used for the analysis of telecommunications processes. Within the model a metaphorical conceptualisation of communication is adopted, as conveying (transmission) of information (thoughts, emotions) from the mind of a subject A to the mind of a subject B. Despite the great popularity of the transmission approach, it is subjected to multilateral criticism. (...) Alternative approaches were formulated in which the transmission metaphor is exceeded, extended or even overcome (e.g., the constitutive, transactional, or the ritual approaches). This paper discusses such criticism. The doubts are raised primarily by the characteristic reductionism and the postulated exclusivity of the transmission approach. A question ariseswhether all the possible types of communication activities can be represented within the transmission approach as a transfer of information. In this context, the dispute between the supporters of the universalistic and the relativistic attitudes to the transmission metaphor is discussed. The polemic also concerns the psychologism elements which are present in the transmission models. Wittgenstein's criticism of psychologism conducted within the framework of his everyday language philosophy is of particular importance. The philosophy may applied to the problem of interpersonal communication. In conclusion it is assumed that the transmission metaphor is important as a tool for the study of many, but not all the aspects of communication. Its importance also lies in the fact that it is the first scientific approach to communication. The exclusivity claims of the transmission model, however, have several limitations, inter alia, it hinders research on the history of communication practices, although the model itself is embedded in a specific historical context. (shrink)

THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNICATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE POZNAN SCHOOL METHODOLOGY The aim of this article is to describe the meaning of the concept of communication from the perspective of the socio-regulative theory of culture by Jerzy Kmita (as well as from the perspective of the Poznan School of Methodology in general). Many contemporary theories of human communication tend to avoid the social and cultural context of communication acts, which may be called a naturalistic approach to communication. This tendency (...) is discussed in the paper. The socio-regulative theory of culture describes communication as one of the most important parts of symbolic culture and as a cultural act. This act of communication is characterized as rational and intentional and it connects the actors through the interpretation process. In conclusion, there is provided a sketch of theoretical background which opens the possibility to apply Kmita’s theory of culture to the theory of communication. Keywords: COMMUNICATION, CULTURE, INTERPRETATION, INTENTIONALITY, SOCIAL ACT, RATIONALITY, POZNAN SCHOOL METHODOLOGY. (shrink)