Transcript for:
Key Functions of Communication Explained

Good day everyone! I'm Ma'am Honey. Welcome to the short video lecture I have prepared for Module 1, Lesson 1 entitled, Functions of Communication. What are communication functions? Communication, whether verbal or non-verbal, can be thought of as a tool. As a tool, communication is used by humans to accomplish a task, a goal, or an objective. Communication as a human activity always serves a function. Functions of Communication Communication is an integral part of our lives. Generally, people love to communicate for a variety of reasons. These reasons are what we call the functions of communication. Functions of communication refer to how humans use language for different purposes. 5 Basic Functions of Communication Practically, the world runs because of communication. The functions of communication cannot be stressed enough in just a day. This is the reason why communication experts have attempted to classify and categorize the variety of communication function identified. These are control, social interaction, motivation, emotional expression, and information dissemination. Control Communication can be used to control the behavior of human beings. It can also be used to regulate the nature and amount of activities humans engage in. This may come in forms of commands or requests like sentences, Please come in. Get a chair and you need to hurry. The idea in these statements is that when a person says something, he or she wants the listener to do something. Examples of control or regulation include doctor's prescription, like telling a patient to take a medicine three times a day. A teacher telling students who are noisy to keep quiet. and a traffic enforcer regulating the traffic through hand signals or gestures. Employers instructing employees and customers placing their orders at the counter are other examples for control. Social Interaction Communication can be used to produce social interaction. In our daily course of living, we human beings develop and maintain bonds, intimacy, Relations and associations. We do this primarily through communication. Examples of language forms for social interactions are statements like, Let's be friends! Hello, can you be my group partner? Conversation among friends through face-to-face and chat are examples of social interactions. Game plans, bonding times, and small talks are social interactions. It is interesting to note that by simply interacting through communication, humans can already form relationships without direct invitations to do so. The mere act of spending time with a person and talking about oneself already produces closeness. Motivation Motivation as a function of communication refers to the use of language by a person to motivate and persuade himself and others. His desires, needs, wants, and choices can be communicated through motivation. Basic forms for expressing motivation include the following. Expressing one's ambitions, talking about preferences, making petitions, and expressing a need. Being able to communicate one's needs and desires makes motivation a function of communication very central to human activity. Motivation could either be extrinsic or intrinsic. An individual may communicate with himself. if he uses intrinsic motivation. It is highly effective in business management as well, as managers and leaders need to have the communication skills to motivate their teams. Emotional Expression Humans always need to express their emotions, both verbally and non-verbally. Emotions are a central part of who we are. Beyond thinking about the things and people in our world, we need to think about ourselves. We feel about them and about ourselves. Whether it is love, fear, anger, joy or hope, or any other emotion, humans need to let them out. Aside from being expressed through language and verbal communication, emotional expression is the function of communication most commonly expressed non-verbally. It can also be seen in gestures, facial expressions or other simple or energetic body movements. Information dissemination Communication can be used for giving and getting information. Giving information usually comes in the form of statement of facts. The statements Philippine Normal University was established in 1901. And did you know that there's a secret apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower? Here are examples of this. In this function of communication, it has to be two-way. That means that an individual cannot only get information. He must also give so that there will be reciprocation. Part of this function is to make sure that the information an individual gives and gets is accurately clear. Can you now distinguish among the five basic functions of communication? Just to make sure that you have understood the discussion, let us have a quick run-through activity. Try to guess the function of communication that the following examples refer to. The advisor lets the students know that the deadline for their project has been postponed. What is the function of communication? Since the example provides an information to students about a certain deadline, this is an example of information dissemination. The manager tells Jordan that he must follow the dress code at work. What is the function of communication? The sentence has something to do with policies and dress code at work, in which the manager orders Jordan to follow. This is the best example of the control or regulation function. Jason meets Dorothy at the plaza and starts talking about the new movie Eternals. What is the function of communication? In this sentence, Jason and Dorothy seems like friends who usually hang out with each other and talk about movies. This is a basic form of social interaction. as a function of communication. David confronts Ethan about his missing cellphone. What is the function of communication? There is a confrontation, and it may involve feelings of anger and resentment. When these kinds of emotions are involved, emotional expression is the function of communication that is taking place. Jennie gives Lisa tips on how to improve her modeling process. What is the function of communication? Words of encouragement to others and pushing them to become better versions of themselves falls under the motivation function of communication. Communication is a very important tool which helps every one of us to coexist in each other peacefully and happily. Since 70% of our lives is spent on communicating, knowing the functions of communication guides us in understanding people better, removing misunderstanding, and creating clarity of thoughts and expression.