NOTES

Functions, Nature,
and Process of
Communication
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.
“Take your medicine before you go to

bed.” “Finish your work before you
go.”
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.
“Would you like to go to church with

me?” “Come on! You can do it!”
3. Motivation – Communication persuades or encourages another

person to change his/her opinion, attitude, and behavior.
“You’re on the right track. Keep up the good work.”

“My dream is to finish my Senior High School despite this pandemic”.
4. Emotional Expression – Communication facilitates people’s expression of their

feelings such as love, fear, anger, joy, hope, or any other emotion.
“I’m so happy to have you in my

life.” “I like you so much.”
5. Information – Communication functions to convey information. It

can be used in giving and getting information.
“The Philippine Normal University was founded in

1901.” “You can find the bathroom right next to
this door”
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.
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.
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.

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Functions, Nature,

Communication is a process. It takes place when two or more people

There are five functions of communication. These are regulation or

1. Regulation / Control – Communication functions to control behavior.

“Take your medicine before you go to

2. Social Interaction – Communication allows people to interact with

“Would you like to go to church with

3. Motivation – Communication persuades or encourages another

“You’re on the right track. Keep up the good work.”

4. Emotional Expression – Communication facilitates people’s expression of their

“I’m so happy to have you in my

5. Information – Communication functions to convey information. It

“The Philippine Normal University was founded in

The Process of Communication

In order to successfully communicate, it is important to understand

1. The speaker develops an idea to be sent.

It refers to the response of the receiver to the message sent to

It is a hindrance to communication. This can take place at any step in

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