FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION

Functions of Communication
1. REGULATION/CONTROL – Communication
functions to direct and manage behavior.
The purpose of the speaker is to control others by
managing their behavior.

Eg.
a. Employees are required to follow authority
hierarchies and formal guidelines
 Functions of Communication

2. SOCIAL INTERACTION – Communication allows

individuals to interrelate with others.

This is the most familiar and the primary reason why

people wants to communicate.
 Functions of Communication

3. MOTIVATION– Communication encourages people

to live better.
The purpose of the speaker is to persuade another
person to change his/her opinion, attitude or
behavior.
 Functions of Communication

4. EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION– Communication

facilitates people’s expression of their feelings.

The speaker’s appeal to the listener’s feelings and

emotions to encourage them to act in a particular
direction.

Communication is a fundamental mechanism by which

people show their feelings (neg. or positive)
 Functions of Communication

5. INFORMATION DISSEMINATION– Communication

functions to share information.

It is used when the speaker wants to make others aware

of certain data, concepts, and processes – knowledge
that maybe useful to them.

It facilitates decision making.

 None of these functions should be seen as
more important than the others.
Activity: Indentify the Function of Communication
in each of the following situations.
1. The teacher reads and discusses classroom policies
to her students.
2. Ross greets Rachel; then they start talking about
their plans for the holidays.
3. Phoebe shares her insights on how to live peacefully
despite a complicated life.
4. Monica shares her personal frustrations with
Chandler.
5. The geometry teacher lectures about mathematical
concepts.
Activity: Indentify the Function of Communication
in each of the following situations.

6. Sheila delivers her valedictory speech.

7. The President delivers his last State of the Nation
Address.
8. A television personality thanks the supportive
moviegoers during an interview.
9. The city mayor presents her strategies to execute
plans in a public forum.
10. A tourist guide orients a group of tourists about a
heritage site.