Which of the following is NOT a primary component of communication?

In the context of communication theory, the primary components include the sender, the message, and the receiver. The sender is the individual or entity that initiates the communication, encoding and transmitting the message, which is the information or content being conveyed. The receiver is the person or group intended to receive and interpret the message.

While "listener" might seem relevant, it is not categorized as a primary component in the same way. The term 'listener' generally refers more to the act of hearing or being attentive to the communication, which may apply to the receiver but does not serve as an independent, primary component in the communication model. Therefore, it encapsulates a role that is more passive compared to the more actively involved roles defined by sender, message, and receiver within communication frameworks. Thus, identifying "listener" as not a primary component reflects an understanding of this distinction.