We explain what the functions of communication are and what they consist of. In addition, we show you examples of each one.
What are the functions of communication?
Communicative functions or functions of communication are the purposes with which a communicative act can be undertaken whether verbal or non-verbal, within a given context. These functions can be summarized in:
- Informational function
- Persuasive or regulatory function
- affective or emotional function
- recreational function
- Motivational function
The roles that communication plays can be diverse, since it is one of the main tools with which living beings link together, whether cooperatively or antagonistically. They should not be confused with the functions of language.
Communication is a key process for life, both for humans and animals, as it is what allows the joint existence of individuals, whether in colonies, herds or organized societies. In this sense, it can be given verbally (using words) or non-verbally (without using language).
Informational function
The informative function of communication is one that allows the transmission of data or experiences from one individual to another which can have different purposes, such as undertaking joint action, preserving important learning, or alerting about an event of interest.
For example, when a teacher teaches his students to do calculations and measurements, he is imparting useful information to them through oral and written communication.
Communication, in this sense, constitutes a fundamental mechanism for human beings to undertake complex tasks and perpetuate the knowledge acquired, which is extremely important for the continuity of civilization.
persuasive function
The persuasive function of communication It is one that allows an individual to influence the behavior of others. This may be done in order to encourage cooperation, establish boundaries, protect the other from imminent danger, or convince them to do a particular thing.
For example, when a buyer haggles over the price of a product in a market, he is trying to influence the other's way of thinking through oral communication, so that the terms of exchange are more in his favor.
This function reaches very high levels of sophistication in human beings, as in the case of negotiation and convincing. However, animals also have persuasive communication methods that rely on instinct and social hierarchy.
affective or emotional function
The affective or emotional function of communication It is one that allows an individual to express their inner life to another that is, their subjectivity and their feelings. This aspect of communication is vital for building emotional and social bonds, which play an essential role in building a community.
For example, when a child cries, his mother experiences certain emotional reactions that lead her to feed him, care for him, or satisfy his immediate needs.
This communicative function has a lot to do with empathy and is vital for the formation of societies, since through it people strengthen their feelings of belonging, which translates into greater chances of survival.
recreational function
The playful function of communication is one that allows an individual to entertain himself with another through shared information that has no useful purposes, but rather stimulates creativity or encourages recreation.
For example, when a friend tells another a joke, a riddle, or a funny anecdote, he or she does so so that they both laugh or celebrate the occurrence and share a moment of fun.
The playful function of communication can also be materialized in literary or artistic works, in which the shared message is not as important as the feeling of enjoyment or pleasure it arouses.
Motivational function
The motivating function of communication is one that allows an individual to encourage, reward or incentivize a specific behavior. In this sense, it is a function similar to persuasion, since it acts on the behavior of the other.
For example, when a teacher congratulates a student for a task well done, it stimulates the child's desire to learn and also has a positive impact on his or her self-esteem.
In this sense, motivation is fundamental in human groups, since it favors the continuity of certain behaviors and fosters positive ties between individuals.
Elements of communication
The functions of communication are put into play in each communicative process. In this process, different elements intervene:
- Transmitter. It is the individual who initiates the process. Your task is to encode and disseminate the message. For example: a person who decides to tell something to the person accompanying him.
- Receiver. It is the individual who receives and decodes the message, thus obtaining the information that the sender intends to share. For example: the person who listens to what another person has to say first.
- Message. It is the information that is transmitted from the sender to the receiver, that is, what you want to communicate. For example: the anecdote that the sender wants to share with the receiver.
- Code. It is the representation system that both sender and receiver use to transmit the message. For example: the language with which the first person speaks to the second.
- Channel. It is the physical medium or series of mechanisms that allow the sender to transmit the message to the receiver. For example: the air through which the sound waves of the voice propagate.
- Context. It is the set of conditions under which the transmission of the message occurs. For example: the restaurant in which the two people are talking.
Language functions
The functions of language differ from the functions of communication because they specifically refer to the different purposes that verbal language can fulfill within society, that is, the different uses that human beings can give to the word.
According to the classification of the Russian linguist Roman Jakobson (1896-1982), these functions are six, and each of them is linked to an element of communication:
- Referential function. Language allows us to transmit information related to events and objects of objective reality. It focuses on context. For example: an encyclopedia entry.
- emotive function. Language allows the individual to express their inner state, that is, to express emotions and thoughts. It focuses on the issuer. For example: the expression of a wish.
- Appellative function. Language allows us to influence the behavior of other people through requests or orders. Focuses on the receiver. For example: a request from one person to another to do them a favor.
- metalinguistic function. Language allows us to clarify its own functioning. It focuses on the code. For example: the explanation of a spelling rule.
- phatic function. Language allows you to verify that a communication channel is free and appropriate to initiate a verbal exchange, that is, it focuses on the channel. For example: a greeting that opens the dialogue channel.
- poetic function. Language allows the construction of statements whose sole purpose is beauty, sound or creativity. Focuses on the message. For example: a poem.
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References
- Cabanas, C and Soriano, A. (2013). Communicate to transform. LID Business Publishing.
- Cabrera, A and Pelayo, N. (2001). Language and communication. The Books of El Nacional.
- Langevin Hogue, L. (2000). Communication. An art that is learned. Sal Terrae.
