The Psychology of Communication by George A Miller (Vintage 1967 Edition)

Description

This short book is a collection of 7 essays by the psychologist and something of a linguist, George Miller. The first 6 are shorter and all concern the Psychological research program “Communication Theory.” It’s central metaphor is of the telecommunciations system in which information is transmitted and received under the restraint of bandwidth. A bandwidth can only handle so many bits of information in a space of time, and interfering “noise” can also limit the efficient transmition of information. It strook me that Miller is rightfully conscious that this metaphor has limitations and could be misleading, and he is responsible with how he applies it, and takes the picture it paints with a pinch of salt – fully aware that he is employing a tool.