Module |
Functions of Communication: Social Interaction and Emotional Expression |
At the end of this module, I can:
You live in a society comprising many people, but the group you are most familiar with is your social circle. You are familiar with the members of your social circle because you mingle and communicate with them often.
Remember the time when your social circle was limited to only your parents and immediate family members? Over the years, however, your social circle has expanded to include other relatives, friends, classmates, teachers, and even close acquaintances. In fact, you likely have several social circles now. For instance, you may have your immediate family circle; your extended family circle that includes relatives such as godparents, grandparents, and cousins; your peer circle that includes your friends and classmates; and your community circle that comprises your neighbors and other familiar persons whom you interact with in your community.
How were these social circles formed? All throughout your life, you have been communicating, associating, and forging relationships with other people, starting from your parents and immediate family all the way to the last person you interacted with today. These processes of communicating, associating, and interacting help you form bonds or relationships with others. These relationships eventually lead to the formation of your social circles.
Effective communication is essential if we want to build and maintain lasting relationship with our family and friends.
As you form social circles, you become a better communicator. This, in turn, could enhance your relationship with the members of your existing social circles and enable you to establish more social circles. In addition, having more social circles means having more opportunities of social interaction, which is another function of communication.
According to the Handbook of Language and Social Interaction, social interaction is the “spontaneous verbal exchanges occurring in natural settings that are typically familiar to the interactants.” The day-to-day social interactions you engage in are made deeper by shared emotions. The closer you are to the person you interact with, the deeper the emotions that you share. How do you express your emotions to your parents and siblings? How does it differ from the way you express your emotions to people outside of your family?
An emotional expression is a manifestation of one’s internal emotional state. It is an important social signal that conveys a variety of information regarding a person’s state of mind and his or her intentions.
Emotional expression is another function of communication. Every day, you express yourself emotionally through words and gestures. Generally, the closer the relationship or the tighter and more familiar the circle you are in, the easier it is for you to communicate how you feel. You show love or anger differently to different people depending on how close you are to them. Similarly, the degree of emotion—grief or happiness, for example—that you express varies depending on the type of relationship you have with the social circle you interact with.
Always be true to what you feel. Following your heart’s desire can go a long way and can lead to honesty in actions and truthfulness in relationships.
Recall a time when you had a heated discussion with someone. What emotional expressions can you remember from this interaction?
Identify the social circle and the emotional expressions present in the following scenarios.
| Scenario | Social Circle | Emotional Expression |
1. Abeong’s mother told him that they have to leave the town because Tatay found a job in the city. The little boy did not speak. Instead, he went to his room, slamming the door. Nanay could hear the sobs of her son. She could not help but shed a tear. |
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2. Lucia is walking home alone. It is her birthday. She understands that her mother cannot prepare a party for her. However, no one seemed to remember her birthday. No one in school greeted her. Her siblings did not greet her as well. As she approaches their home, she notices that there are no lights. “Great, our electricity service has been disconnected again. Today, of all days,” she whispers. She opens the door, the lights turn on, and someone says “Surprise!” |
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3. It is examination day and everyone is reviewing while waiting for the proctor to arrive. Brando notices a classmate tapping his hands on the desk repetitively, and another aimlessly playing with her pen. Some students are hurriedly flipping the pages of their books, their hands trembling a little. But then, Brando suddenly realizes something. “Where is Bianca?” Brando asks his seatmates. The proctor is already in the room but Bianca is still not around. She will miss the exam! |
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4. Amelia always looks forward to Sundays for their family visits to Lolo and Lola in their ancestral house. All of Mama’s siblings and their families will be there, too. As soon as they arrive at the house, Amelia would run to kiss and hug her grandparents. She would also kiss the cheeks or the hands of her aunts and uncles. She would play with her cousins, and they would laugh while playing, except for little Thomas who always loses in the games. |
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5. Jessie explains how to play game of the generals to his two playmates. Sean asks a lot of questions, while Julius seems not paying attention at all. Jessie explains yet again, but his voice seems louder than usual. Eventually, Jessie decides that they play catch instead. |
The class will be divided into five groups. Each group will be assigned with one of the five axioms of communication by Paul Watzlawick. Discuss with your group mates and create a short skit to present the axiom assigned to your group. Afterward, explain the meaning of the axiom. Read more about the five axioms of communication at http://www.wanterfall.com/Communication-Watzlawick%27s-Axioms.htm#_ftn1.
Here are Watzlawick’s five axioms of communication:
Certain protocols or rules should be observed for the success of social interactions, especially if they are outside your immediate circles. In many instances, you have to interact with people you barely know—acquaintances, coworkers, employers, and even virtual strangers. In such instances, you will likely conduct and express yourself differently since the familiarity and intimacy you enjoy when you interact with the people in your social circle are no longer present. For example, your language and tone will likely be different, as well as your gestures and other nonverbal cues.
Respect in communication applies in oral and even in virtual communication. Thus, when you express ideas, always think before you speak or click.
Take, for example, your future employer. Will you talk to him or her in the same way you talk to your parents or godparents? You will most likely talk to him or her and act in a more formal manner considering his or her position. Even in cases where there is already a sense of familiarity and camaraderie between you and your boss, you will likely be more measured and careful when you speak and act, lest you overstep the boundaries of the boss-subordinate dynamic.
Below are some examples of protocols of social interaction.
What protocols of communication and social interaction should be observed in the following communication environments? Give at least two for each item.
The ways people express emotions also vary. Some people wear their emotions on their sleeves, which means they openly express their feelings. Others, on the other hand, are more reserved when they convey their emotions. In addition, some people express their emotions either orally or in writing. Others express positive emotions by giving gifts or by endearing physical gestures. In many respects, the ways people express emotions are largely determined or influenced by their purpose for expressing such.
Why are distinct protocols of social interaction observed in different communication environments such as church or school?
Form a group with your classmates. Watch the following videos and discuss with your group mates the protocols of social interaction that apply to these communication situations:
How will you communicate in the following situations? Consider the emotional expression in each social interaction and then identify the social protocols that you should follow.
Major establishments in the country have started observing the escalator etiquette. Read about the escalator etiquette at http://www.thesummitexpress.com/2016/09/smmalls-launch-escalator-etiquette-campaign.html and https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/03/29/the-ttc-wants-you-to-take-a-stand-on-its-escalators.html. Afterward, answer the following questions.
Information drive is good, change in attitude is better, but practice is the best. Suggest ways to encourage people in your community to change their improper behavior or bad habits.
Track: Academic
You and your partner are producers of the video blog called Work It Out, which explores various jobs and their nature. Your next episode will focus on communication dynamics in the workplace. Look for an employee from a private firm or a government office in your community who is willing to be interviewed. Set an appointment for the interview with the employee and prepare your interview questions. Prepare questions about the nature of the employee’s work, his or her working relationship with his or her coworkers, the protocols and rules that are observed in his or her workplace, and the ways he or she deals with problems and conflicts in the workplace. Make sure that your interview will help your audience understand the social interaction, emotional expressions, and rules of interaction in the employee’s workplace.
Social interaction and emotional expression are two of the important functions of communication for young adults like you. It is imperative that you maintain and nurture the social circles that you have already formed and then make new ones along the way. It is just as crucial for you to learn how to express your emotions effectively. Enhancing your skills in these two functions of communication will prepare you for more serious and challenging communication situations in your future life as an adult.