Lesson
The Functions, Nature, and
1 Process of Communication
Communication is the act of transferring information from one person to another
person or a group. Communication involves at least one sender, a message, and a
receiver; but communication is more than just a transmission of information. It
requires success in transmitting or sending a message.
Directions: Complete the concept map below. Fill out the web with ideas that are
related to communication.
Communication
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What is It
Communication is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from
one person to another within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures
(McCornack, 2014).
Nature of Communication
Communication is a process. It takes place when two or more people exchange ideas
either through written or spoken words (verbal) or actions (nonverbal). Both verbal
and nonverbal can be used at the same time.
Functions of Communication
There are five functions of communication. These are regulation or control, social
interaction, motivation, information, and emotional expression.
1. Regulation / Control Communication functions to control behavior. It can be
used to regulate the nature and number of activities people engage in.
2. Social Interaction Communication allows people to interact with others to
develop bonds or intimacy. It also allows individuals to express desires,
encouragement, needs, and decision or to give and get information.
3. Motivation Communication persuades or encourages another person to change
his/her opinion, attitude, and behavior.
4. Emotional Expression
feelings such as love, fear, anger, joy, hope, or any other emotion.
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5. Information Communication functions to convey information. It can be used in
giving and getting information.
The Process of Communication
In order to successfully communicate, it is important to understand the process of
communication. The diagram above shows the basic steps.
1. The speaker develops an idea to be sent.
2. The speaker encodes the idea or converts it to words or actions.
3. The speaker transmits or sends out the idea using a specific medium or channel.
4. The receiver gets the message and decodes or interprets it.
5. The receiver provides or sends feedback.
At any point of the communication process, noise may take place and hinder the flow of
communication process.
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The Elements in The Process of Communication
Sender
The sender is the one who initiates the message that needs to be transmitted. He
sends the message that may be in different forms such as pictures, symbols,
postures, gestures, or even just a smile. After generating the idea, he sends it in
such a manner that can be understood clearly by the receiver.
Message
Message refers to the information intended to be communicated by words as in
speech, letters, pictures, or symbols. It can be verbal or non-verbal. It is the content
the sender wants to convey to the receiver.
Encoding
It is the process of expressing the idea into appropriate medium. It may be verbal
or non-verbal. The sender may put the message into a series of symbols, words,
pictures or gestures.
Channel
It refers the medium or passage through which encoded message is passed to the
receiver. It may be transmitted through face-to-face communication, telephone,
radio, television, memorandum, or computer.
Receiver
Receiver refers to whom the message is meant for. He plays a significant role in the
communication process like the sender. He needs to comprehend the message sent.
His translation of the message received depends on his/her knowledge of the subject
matter of the message, experience, and relationship with the sender.
Decoding
It means translating the encoded message into a language that can be understood
by the receiver. After receiving the message, the receiver interprets it and tries to
understand it.
Feedback
It refers to the response of the receiver to the message sent to him/her by the
sender. Feedback ensures that the message has been effectively encoded and
decoded.
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Noise
It is a hindrance to communication. This can take place at any step in the entire
communication process. There are various types of noise. Examples of physical noise
are loud music, an irritating sound of an engine of a machine, or a classmate who
talks to you while the teacher is giving a lecture. The second type of noise is
physiological when the body becomes the hindrance to communication such as
headache, toothache, or hunger. The third type is psychological noise that refers to
qualities in us that affect how we communicate and interpret others such as
prejudice and any feeling can interfere with communication. Noise is considered as
a barrier to effective communication.
Directions: Fa
through the link below. On a separate paper, identify the elements in the process of
communication. Explain how each element affects the communication process.
If you cannot watch the said video, just think of a situation where miscommunication
takes place between or among the participants in the communication process.
[Link]
1. Sender
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Message
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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