1. Ways of classifying acts of communication or uses of a medium of communication either from the perspective of individuals—*personal functions—or from that of society—*social functions (see also media functions). Jakobson's model, which listed six basic functions, originated as a model of linguistic functions in the context of interpersonal communication; others have proposed various functions of mass media functions. Four primary functions of communication (often listed as communicative purposes) are the information function, the education function, the entertainment function, and the persuasive function.
2. Generic objectives in complementary relationships: see communicative relationships.
