Lesson 5

1. FUNCTIONS OF
COMMUNICATION

3. Functions
◦Refers to the particular purpose for
which a thing is used, something exists,
or a person is fitted to meet his or
somebody else’s needs or desires.

4. Control
◦Communication functions to
control behavior.

5. Social Interaction
◦Communication allows
individuals to interact with
others.

6. Categories (Goffman)
◦Exchange- a social process whereby
social behavior is exchanged for a
reward, which may be material (money,
objects) or nonmaterial (thank you).

7. Categories (Goffman)
◦Competition- is a process by which
two or more people interact and
fight for a goal that only one can
win.

8. Categories (Goffman)
◦Cooperation- is a social process in
which people work together to realize
their common goals.

9. Categories (Goffman)
◦Conflict- refers to strong disagreement
between people, groups, and so on,
which results in often angry argument.

10. Categories (Goffman)
◦Coercion- is a process of getting
something or making someone do
something by using threats.

11. KINDS OF TALKS OR
ORAL TEXTS

12. Small Talk
◦Is a form of nonthreatening communication
that may be used to effect social interaction.
◦Can help achieve the following:
a.To maintain the status quo
b.To break the ice
c.To get acquainted
d.To establish relationships

13. Light Control Talk
◦Is the tactful use of power to get results. It may
be used to motivate people.
◦Purposes:
a.To persuade
b.To direct
c.To seek but not force agreement
d.To use legitimate authority

14. Heavy Control Talk
◦Is designed to place blame and to control or
regulate people. This type of communication
creates defensiveness on the part of the
receiver and is rarely, if ever, appropriate.

15. Specific Purposes:
◦To blame
◦To attack
◦To threaten
◦To coerce
◦To demand

16. Search Talk
◦Is another nonthreatening approach when you
want to gather data or the consensus of others
to be able to provide information.
◦Specific Purposes:
a.To center on an issue.
b.To examine and clarify the issue.

17. Straight Talk
◦Is good for problem-solving and conflict
resolution. It may be used to facilitate
emotional expression for catharsis, which is
the act of purging, cleansing, and
unloading of ideas and emotions. It is
usually done with people you have a bond
relationship.

18. Specific Purposes:
◦To concentrate on the here and now
◦To focus on issues
◦To share feelings
◦To acknowledge feelings
◦To accept without judging

19. Motivation
◦Communication motivates or
encourages people to live
better.

20. Emotional Expression
◦Communication facilitates people’s
expression of their feelings and
emotions.

21. Information Dissemination
◦Communication functions to convey
information.

22. Three flows of information:
◦Downward flow- from the superiors or elders to the
subordinates in the form of directives or updates.
◦Upward flow- from the subordinates or family
members to the superiors or elders in the form of
feedback and reports or suggestions.
◦Horizontal flow- (peer to peer) from worker to worker,
husband to wife and vice versa, sibling to sibling, or
manager to manager in the form of data and reports.