Argyle’s Theory of Communication: Stages, Principles & Practical Insights

17 Dec 2025

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Communication shapes our daily interactions with people, whether we are at work or in a social setting. It is a fundamental part of connecting with people with different mindsets. But have you wondered how it actually works? One well-known framework that helps explain this process is Argyle's Communication Cycle. In this blog, you will learn about the six stages of this theory and some practical applications across different fields.

What Is Argyle's Theory Of Communication?

Argyle's communication cycle is a model that explains how communication works as an ongoing process. It is based on the idea that communication is not a one-way street but a dynamic exchange that involves both the sender and receiver. This theory was developed at first by Charles Berner in 1965 and then modified by British social psychologist Michael Argyle.

Who Was Michael Argyle?

Michael Argyle was a British Social psychologist known for his pioneering work in the field of non-verbal and interpersonal communication. He proposed that communication involves a series of stages that are interconnected, where each step leads to the next. In this model, the communicator (sender) has to make sure their message is not only clear but also that the recipient (receiver) understands it and gives feedback later.

Purpose of the Argyle's Model

The primary purpose of Michael Argyle's Communication Cycle is to explain how interpersonal communication functions and how people exchange messages in real time. The model helps to:

• Illustrate the continuous flow of communication between people.
• Emphasise the role of feedback in improving understanding.
• Show how communication is all about interpreting and responding to messages.
• Highlight the importance of active listening and non-verbal cues in effective communication.

Core Principles Behind His Communication Theory

Michael Argyle's Communication Cycle theory highlights several key principles that are central to understanding how interpersonal communication works effectively. The core principles behind his theory include:

• Non-Verbal Cues:- These cues often carry more meaning than words and are essential for interpreting emotions and intentions.
• Active Listening:- This involves not only hearing the words but also paying full attention, understanding the message, and responding appropriately.
• Feedback:- It allows the sender to know whether the message has been understood and if further clarification is needed.

He proposed that communication involves a series of stages that are interconnected, where each step leads to the next. It is not about sending a message; it is about creating understanding between each other. In this model, the communicator (sender) has to make sure their message is not only clear but also that the recipient (receiver) understands it and gives feedback later.

What Are the Stages of Argyle's Theory of Communication?

Argyle's theory of communication purpose is to simplify the process of communication for individuals for their better understanding. These models also highlight potential barriers and feedback loops by making it easier to improve communication. With the help of the six Argyle's stages of the communication cycle, you can learn how they work and fit together:-

Idea Occurs

The cycle begins when the sender has an idea or thought they want to communicate. It could be a simple thought, like asking someone to pass the salt, or a more complex idea, like discussing a work project. The important thing here is that the sender has something they want to share with another person. Without this initial thought, the rest of the cycle wouldn't exist.

Encoding

Once the idea is formed, the next step is encoding. It means the sender turns their idea into a message that others can understand. Also, if one can encode the thoughts through words (spoken or written), gestures, facial expressions, or other forms of communication, the sender must choose the right words, tone, and approach to ensure their idea is clear to the receiver.

Transmission

Now that the message is encoded, it's time to send it. It is where the message travels from the sender to the receiver. The mode of transmission could be face-to-face conversation, a phone call, a text, or even a written letter. The communication medium matters because it can impact how well the message is received.

Decoding

Upon reaching the intended recipient, the message needs to be decoded in order to continue with the remaining steps. Decoding is how an individual interprets a message and allows the recipient to know what the sender meant by the message. The effectiveness of this part of the communication process depends on how well the recipient can comprehend both the verbal and non-verbal messages conveyed by the sender.

Feedback

After receiving a decoded message, the recipient provides some kind of response, whether through verbal feedback, facial expressions, or otherwise, indicating understanding. Response to decoding of a message is an essential part of communication, as it gives the sender an indication as to whether or not their message was understood.

Noise/Barriers

Finally, the sender interprets the receiver's feedback. If the feedback indicates that they understood the message, the communication cycle is complete. However, if the feedback suggests confusion or misunderstanding, the sender might need to clarify or rephrase their message.

So, with the help of these six stages, you will understand how Argyles communication cycle theory works with each other to make the communication more reliable. Now let's learn how you can apply Argyle's communication theory in real life.

Practical Applications of Argyle's Communication Cycle

Argyle's communication cycle is not just a theoretical model; it has practical applications across different fields. In this section, you will learn how this model can be used across several fields to improve interactions with some examples of Argyle's communication cycle.

In Healthcare

In healthcare, this cycle ensures more transparent communication between providers and patients for their better recovery. The healthcare professionals must communicate clearly with the patients, actively listen to their concerns, and provide feedback. It allows patients to express symptoms or concerns accurately, while medical professionals can make sure proper treatment plans are made.

In Education

In educational settings, Argyle's communication cycle is crucial because it promotes clear communication between teachers and students. Teachers have the power to convey information clearly, while the students must grasp the content through active listening. Effective communication will enhance the learning process, and it ensures that both parties understand the materials.

In Business

In business, this theory is vital for ensuring effective interactions between colleagues, managers and clients. Clear communication can improve team collaborations because it helps them to ensure the employee understands the message. Feedback from employees also helps to identify areas of improvement to enhance the company's overall performance.

So these are the real-life applications of Michael Argyle's communication theory that help communicate between two people. This problem mainly occurs in the educational field, where students are unable to write their thoughts clearly. If you are also one of them, you can seek ”Do my Assignment”.

What Is the Importance of Argyle's Theory Of Communication?

Argyle's theory of communication is crucial because it gives us a deeper learning of how communication works beyond talking and listening. Below are some pointers that will show in what cases it is crucial for better communication:-

• Active Listening:- The model highlights the importance of active listening, which implies giving full attention to the message, decoding it carefully and providing thoughtful feedback.

• Improved Communication Skills:- If you understand the stages of the cycle, it will help you to improve your communication by focusing on both the message you send and the feedback you get.

• Better Relationships:- When you apply Argyle's model, you build better relationships because you are not just talking to someone, you are engaging in an interactive process where both people contribute to understanding.

So, this theory is essential to foster ideas by making sure that one can communicate properly without any problem.

How does Argyle's Model Differ from Other Communication Models?

There are other models of communication, like Shannon and Weaver's Linear Model and Berlo's SMCR Model, that create a relationship between sender and receiver. In the section below, you will analyse how these models are different from Argyle's Model:-

Shannon and Weaver's Model

Shannon and Weaver's Model of Communication is one of the foundational theories in communication. It views communication as a linear process by focusing on how messages are delivered. It is characterised by:-

• Sender:- The person who encodes and sends the message.
• Message:- The content that needs to be communicated between them.
• Channel:- The medium through which the message is mailed.
• Receiver:- The person who receives & decodes the message.
• Noise:- Any external or internal interference that can block the messages.

How it is different from Argyle's Model:-

This model focuses on transmitting a message from the sender to the receiver. The model addresses noise as a potential barrier to effective communication, but it does not incorporate the concept of feedback.

Berlo's SMCR Model

Berlo's SMCR Model is used to explain how interpersonal communication between the sender and receiver influences the message being communicated. It involves:-

• Source:- The sender encodes the message through their skills, attitudes and knowledge.
• Message:- The content being communicated, including its structure, language and symbols.
• Channel:- The medium used for transmitting the message through phone and in person.
• Receiver:- The person who receives the message and later decodes it.
• How it is different from Argyle's Model:-

This model focuses on how the sender's and receiver's characteristics affect the message creation. It offers a more detailed view of the sender and receiver with the help of psychological attributes.

So, Argyle's communication cycle differs from other communication models in these aspects, which is essential for better connections.

Key Takeaways

• Communication is a process that involves multiple stages from idea formation to feedback interpretation.
• Feedback is essential to make sure the message is understood, to allow the necessary adjustments.
• Effective communication requires active effort, including both verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Argyle's model emphasises two-way interaction where both parties contribute to understanding.
• Applying the communication cycle improves relationships by ensuring clarity and responsiveness.

If you are a student who is writing an assignment related to these concepts and facing an originality issue in the document, you can go through your article with the Plagiarism checker UK.

Also Read: What are Control Variables? It's Importance & Engaging Examples

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