Blog on Ritual Model of Communication.

Chart on Ritual model communication..

              

The ritual view of communication is a communications theory proposed by James W. Carey, wherein communication–the construction of a symbolic reality–represents, maintains, adapts, and shares the beliefs of a society in time. In short, the ritual view conceives communication as a process that enables and enacts societal transformation.

Carey defines the ritual view particularly in terms of sharing, participation, association, and fellowship. In addition, Carey acknowledges that, commonness, communion, and community, naturally correspond with the ritual view. In a similar way, the term "ritual" holds religious connotations. For Carey, this connection to religion helps to emphasize the concept of shared beliefs and ceremony that are fundamental to the ritual view.

In contrast to the ritual view, James W. Carey presents what he considers the more commonly recognized transmission view of communication. In the transmission view the dissemination of information constitutes the primary goal. James W. Carey defines the transmission view in terms of imparting, sending, transmitting and giving information to others.  In the transmission view information is disseminated across geography largely for the purpose of control. To support this idea, James W. Carey refers to the messaging systems of ancient Egypt wherein, "transportation and communication were inseparably linked" and served as a method of control.

Where James W. Carey seemingly presents these two views as oppositional, he acknowledges that the dichotomy is false. He states, "neither of these counterpoised views of communication necessarily denies what the other affirms". Instead, they offer a nuanced perspective of communication that enables a broader understanding of human interaction.

• "The ritual view of communication is a representation of shared beliefs within a community." - James Carey (1992). 
• Examples of ritual communication are performances, dramas, and religious rites. 
• Speed and amount of information are not as important as in the transmission mode of transportation. 
• Nothing new is necessarily learned, emphasis is on the connection with the community. 
• In Ritual Communication (1998), Eric W. Rothenbuhler states that "ritual is communication without information." 
• David Gunkel, in Hacking Cyberspace (2001) states that ritual communication is an intentionally redundant activity. The reason for the communication is to establish and maintain common tenets of an organization or a society.