Module
2

Functions of Communication: Regulation and Control

At the end of this module, I can:

• define regulation and control as functions of communication through examples;
• identify a speaker’s purpose in various communication situations;
• show an understanding of the strategies used by a speaker to convey his or her ideas effectively; and
• evaluate if a communication strategy is effective or not.

Communication serves a number of functions. Two of these functions are regulation and control. Regulation, according to Oxford Dictionaries, is “a rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.” It is also “the action or process of regulating or being regulated.” In other words, communication is mainly used by persons in authority or those who represent authority in order to regulate or direct their subordinates. However, regulation can also be performed by members of a group who may not necessarily have authority but could assume leadership, depending on established relationships within the group.

Meanwhile, Oxford Dictionaries defines control as “the power to influence or direct people’s behavior or the course of events” or “a means of limiting something.” In other words, another function of communication is to influence or direct people’s behavior or action in a certain way. While regulation is aimed at making sure people are following certain communication rules, norms, or protocol, control is all about influencing people to behave based on the personal motivation of an individual in authority.

Consider the following examples.

Big Idea

Failure to follow rules and regulations has consequences.

• The traffic aide in the middle of an intersection gestures traffic signals or blows his whistle to direct the flow of vehicles and pedestrians. In doing so, he prevents vehicles from crisscrossing without regard for other motorists and accidents from ensuing.
• Religions all over the world have sets of laws that they prescribe to their faithful. These laws are moral guides that direct the faithful on how to live and how to interact with other people. In addition, certain people in a religious group are given the authority to preach these moral guides.
• A town crier in kingdoms of old would go around villages reading edicts from monarchs to their subjects. These edicts were followed by the villagers as a sign of loyalty and obedience to the king or queen.
• Upon using a mobile app or an online service, you are given a set of terms and conditions in order to regulate how you should use the app or the service.
• The school principal releases a memorandum to implement new rules. Sometimes, the school would also release letters to parents to inform them of new rules or remind them about existing ones. Announcements are also made during student assemblies to control and disseminate information effectively.

Can you think of other instances where regulation and control are manifested? Share them in class.

What Have I Learned So Far?
1. How does a regulation help in achieving the goal of communication? Explain your answer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. What happens when one person is in control of a communication situation? Explain your answer by providing an example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond Walls 2.1 Read and Answer

Because of the monarchial system of government in Great Britain, strict and meticulous rules are still being followed in the land, one of which is the set of protocols to be followed when meeting the queen of Great Britain.

The article that can be found at http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/International/story?id=7228105&page=1 takes you back to the time when former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama met with Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Read the article and answer the following questions.

1. What are the protocols in meeting the queen of Great Britain? Give at least three rules.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Why is it important to establish and observe protocols when meeting the queen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Why were former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife exempted in following some of the regulations in meeting the queen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflect Upon

There are times when the participants of the communication process violate rules and conventions of communication. When do you think are these violations acceptable? Give an example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Have I Learned So Far?

The following are persons who usually have control in a typical social context and thus also have control in the typical communication situations in which they participate in. Explain briefly these people’s verbal or nonverbal means of control.

1. The president of the Philippines

 

 

 

2. The teacher in the classroom

 

 

 

3. The police

 

 

 

4. A nurse

 

 

 

5. Your parents

 

 

 

Big Idea

A leader should reflect on his or her purpose as a leader before making a decision as whether to be strict or considerate in a certain situation.

Beyond Walls 2.2 Go Online

Watch the video clip about chairing a meeting at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPhKhTIoLss. After, answer the following questions.

1. What is the purpose of the chair in the communication situation?

 

 

 

2. What nonverbal cues were used by the chair in order to control the meeting? Was he successful? Why or why not?

 

 

 

3. Did the other attendees of the meeting respect the chair? Defend your answer.

 

 

 

4. Was the chair respectful and considerate of the attendees? Defend your answer.

 

 

 

5. Was there equal opportunity for each participant to speak? If yes, how was this ensured? If not, how can equal opportunity be assured in the meeting?

 

 

 

Reflect Upon

What is the importance of control in communication?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communication Strategy

According to Participatory Communication Strategy Design: A Handbook, a communication strategy is a well-planned series of actions aimed at achieving certain objectives through the use of communication methods, techniques, and approaches. The skill in crafting effective communication strategies is necessary, particularly in organizations. Communication strategies are usually constructed whenever an organization faces a crisis.

Consider this situation: the president of the country needs to discuss with his constituents the aspects of a pressing issue or concern. In such a situation, the president must be able to clearly and effectively convey his thoughts, ideas, and recommendations about the issue to ensure that his constituents fully understand every relevant detail and concern. The president is also expected to answer questions from his cabinet, staff, constituents, and journalists to clarify certain matters. Hence, appropriate communication strategies must be employed by the president to get his point across.

Here is another situation: the chief executive officer (CEO) of a financially struggling company needs to pacify her disgruntled employees. How will she uplift their low morale? How will she assuage her employees’ fears of possible retrenchment, late wages, and other similar concerns? Will she meet her employees personally or send lawyers to explain for her? In this situation, the use of appropriate communication strategies will be essential, not only to ensure the smooth, civil, and continuous exchange of ideas between the CEO and her employees, but also to prevent possible conflict from surfacing.

In most cases, it is up to the communicator to come up with an appropriate communication strategy for a particular situation. The following tips will help you formulate your own effective communication strategies:

1. Set clear and attainable goals in a given time frame.
2. Focus on the issue, if any, not on people.
3. Be flexible and open-minded.
4. Listen to all stakeholders affected.
5. Demonstrate sensitivity at all times.
6. Be genuine, honest, and open to all parties.
7. Present facts and verifiable data.
8. Take control of the situation but be compassionate.
9. Be considerate and learn when to compromise.
10. Use affirmative responses and give due credit.

So, what communication strategies can you think of to apply to the two situations given (the president and the CEO)? Share your ideas in class.

Reflect Upon

Think of instances where effective communication strategies can be applied to your daily life. Share your answers with your classmates.

 

 

 

 

 

What Have I Learned So Far?

Based on the discussions, answer the following questions. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Why is an effective and well-planned communication strategy important?
2. In a crisis involving the Philippine economy, who are the possible stakeholders?
3. If you are a communications head of a company, should you release a statement about your company’s crisis before the media find out about it? Why or why not?
4. If your friend got mad at you because you accidentally mentioned his or her secret to another friend, what communication strategy can you employ in order to get his or her forgiveness?
5. Why is honesty important in planning effective communication strategies?
Beyond Walls 2.3 Apply It in Real Life

You are an environmentalist and the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Because of your dedication in environment protection and conservation, your first course of action is to stop illegal mining practices. You need to plan an effective communication strategy to enforce a strict mining policy. The president, who is waiting for your report, reminds you to ensure that your communication strategy is well planned and takes the various stakeholders into consideration. To complete your report, identify five goals, one to two courses of action to achieve each goal, and the stakeholders. The first two goals are provided to begin your communication action plan.

Goal Course(s) of Action Stakeholders

1. To enforce the mining policy more strictly

    

2. To inform the public about the new mining policy

    
 


  


  
 


  


  
 


  


  
Extend Your Knowledge

Read about diplomatic protocols on the following websites. Identify specific communication-related rules between and among politicians and representatives of different countries. Then look for video clips or coverage of diplomatic events online that show how those rules are observed.

• http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/176174.pdf
• http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-protocol-officer.htm
Essential Learning

Regulation and control are functions of communication that are present in many aspects of life across many groups of people—from a parent or teacher who enforces rules that their young wards should follow to a referee who explains the dos and don’ts in a boxing match. In addition, verbal and nonverbal cues give hints to the purpose of the speaker, while communication strategies help make effective and successful communication.

Regulation and control are communication functions that are carried out by people in authority such as police officers, teachers, among others. Even the people in the government use these communication functions to effectively communicate the laws that govern the land and execute programs for peace and order, the economy, and the well-being of its constituents.