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Predicted Questions with Model Answers
Q1 (5 marks — 50 words): Explain the Shannon-Weaver model of communication.
Model Answer:
Shannon & Weaver's Mathematical Model (1949) has six components: (1) Information Source — origin of message; (2) Transmitter/Encoder — converts message to signal; (3) Channel — transmission medium; (4) Noise — interference distorting the signal; (5) Receiver/Decoder — converts signal back; (6) Destination — intended recipient. Introduced concepts of entropy (message uncertainty) and redundancy (repetition to reduce noise). Limitation: no feedback loop; treats communication as one-way transmission.
Q2 (5 marks — 50 words): What are the main barriers to communication? Give examples from public administration.
Model Answer:
Five communication barriers: (1) Physical — poor internet connectivity in Rajasthan's tribal areas obstructs e-governance; (2) Semantic — revenue jargon ("khasra," "khatauni") unfamiliar to citizens; (3) Psychological — officials' fear of reporting bad news upward (status effect); (4) Organisational — hierarchical filtering distorts policy intent by the time it reaches field workers; (5) Cultural — different eye contact and silence norms between officials and tribal communities. Active listening and plain language reduce all five.
Q3 (5 marks — 50 words): Explain Gottman's "Four Horsemen" of destructive communication.
Model Answer:
Gottman's (1994) Four Horsemen identify destructive communication patterns: (1) Criticism — attacking character, not behaviour ("You're lazy" vs. "This deadline was missed"); (2) Contempt — mockery, sarcasm, eye-rolling — the most destructive, signals unworthiness; (3) Defensiveness — counter-blaming and excuses rather than taking responsibility; (4) Stonewalling — withdrawal, silent treatment, emotional shutdown. Antidotes: gentle start-up, appreciation culture, taking responsibility, and physiological self-soothing. Applicable to workplace and administrative relationships equally.
Q4 (5 marks — 50 words): What are the key features of electronic communication? State its challenges in Indian governance.
Model Answer:
Electronic communication includes email, video conferencing, social media, e-governance portals, and AI chatbots. Key features: speed (instant delivery), reach (simultaneous mass communication), documentation (audit trail for RTI), and cost efficiency. Challenges in Indian governance: (1) Digital divide — rural and tribal areas lack connectivity; (2) Information overload — officials miss critical messages; (3) Cybersecurity risks — phishing, data breaches; (4) Misinformation spread — fake news causing communal tensions; (5) Loss of non-verbal cues — email misinterpretation creates conflict.
Q5 (5 marks — 50 words): Explain different types of communication networks in organisations.
Model Answer:
Communication networks (Bavelas, 1950) shape organisational performance: (1) Wheel — all communicate through central hub; fastest; low periphery satisfaction; used in crisis management; (2) Chain — linear hierarchical flow; moderate; typical in bureaucracies; (3) Circle — each connects with adjacent members; slow but high satisfaction; (4) All-channel — everyone communicates freely; slowest; highest creativity and satisfaction — ideal for policy design. Informal networks (grapevine) are 75–95% accurate but selectively omit context; managed through transparent official communication.
Q6 (5 marks — 50 words): Explain Berlo's SMCR model of communication.
Model Answer:
Berlo's SMCR Model (1960) identifies four components: (S) Source — communicator's skills, attitudes, knowledge, social system, culture; (M) Message — content, structure, code, treatment; (C) Channel — the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste); (R) Receiver — same five dimensions as source. Effective communication requires overlap between source and receiver in communication skills, cultural background, and knowledge level. A collector must match communication style to the knowledge-culture profile of the intended audience for message accuracy.