The Short Answer
There are many different reasons why people communicate. These include:
- Pleasure
- To socialise
- To make and maintain relationships
- To ask questions
- To request information
- To offer choices
- To advise/guide
- To give support/reassurance
- To express a need, desire or preference
- To express a feeling
- To share ideas
- To share experiences
- To discuss and debate
- To show compassion/empathy
- To give instructions
- To encourage/motivate/persuade
The Long Answer
Communication is everyone’s panacea for everything ~ Tom Peters
Whether you agree with the quote above or not, it is undeniable that communication has a wide variety of functions and as part of your Level 2 Diploma, your tutor will expect you to be able to list and explain at least a handful of them. Most courses will ask you to write down just three or four reasons that individuals communicate, but do bear in mind that sometimes you may be asked for more.
The good news is I’ve compiled a handy list for you 🙂
Social
Social interaction very much depends upon communication. Without it, it is very difficult to make and maintain relationships with partners, friends, family and even colleagues.
It is useful to remember that social communication is not just chatting to people that you know. Hugs, pats on the back and kissing (if appropriate) are all forms of communication. As are writing letters, emails etc.
And on top of this, for many people communicating socially is generally a very pleasurable experience, which helps relieve stress and anxiety.
Expression
Communication can be used to express or vocalise things such as feelings, needs, desires, preferences or wishes.
Again, this does not have to verbal. For example, a piece of music can communicate the writer’s (or player’s) sadness or happiness. Or the makaton sign for ‘tea; can express the signer’s desire for a cuppa!
Information sharing
Information is shared between people using communication. This may be sharing ideas, advice or experiences or to ask questions or request specific information. Or giving someone instructions for performing a task.
If I were to ask you the time and you were to tell me it is midnight, that is an example of using communication to share information. Another example would be a team meeting where you brainstorm ideas to come up with a solution to a problem.
Support
Reassuring and supporting others is another way to utilise communication. As well as offering understanding and an arm around the shoulder, you can also demonstrate compassion and empathy.
You should now be able to identify different reasons people communicate for your level 2 diploma.
Example Answer:Â Identify Four Different Reasons Why People Communicate
People communicate for many different reasons. Socially, people communicate for pleasure, to ask questions or to offer choices. Communication can also be used to express a need or a feeling to others as well as share ideas and debate issues. In addition, communication can be used to show compassion and empathy towards others.