Overview
This lecture explains the five main functions of communication and how each is integrated into daily life, relationships, and society.
Functions of Communication
- Communication serves five key functions: regulation/control, social interaction, motivation, information dissemination, and emotional expression.
Regulation or Control
- Communication is used to influence or control others' behavior to accomplish goals.
- Compliance gaining seeks voluntary cooperation through tactics like rewards, threats, expertise, liking, debt, altruism, and esteem.
- Compliance gaining differs from coercion, which involves force or manipulation.
Social Interaction
- Communication helps maintain, develop, and end social and interpersonal relationships.
- Non-verbal and verbal cues are used to initiate and sustain social connections.
- Self-disclosure builds relationships over time; communication is key in maintaining or ending them.
Motivation
- Communication inspires or encourages others to improve, set goals, and pursue dreams.
- Motivational language can support decisions, strengthen desires, and prompt proactive behavior.
Information Dissemination
- Communication spreads information and ideas to increase knowledge and awareness.
- Information can be delivered via traditional media (phones, TV, print) or social media (texts, blogs, vlogs, online news).
- Teachers and students often use communication to share knowledge (e.g., class reports).
Emotional Expression
- Communication allows people to express feelings and emotions, despite cultural and social norms.
- Expression of emotion varies by age, gender, and culture, with adults and men often more restrained.
- Emotional expression is crucial for empathy and understanding in relationships.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Compliance Gaining — strategies used to get someone to act voluntarily, typically without force.
- Coercion — forcing or manipulating someone to do something against their will.
- Information Dissemination — process of spreading facts or ideas to an audience.
- Self-Disclosure — sharing personal information to build relationships.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on which communication function you use most in daily life.
- Prepare examples of each function for next class discussion.