The document summarizes the Functional Theory of Communication, which examines how communication relates to the quality of group decisions. The theory was developed by Dennis Gouran and Randy Hirokowa, building on the work of John Dewey on reflective thinking, Robert Bales on interaction process analysis, and Irving Janis on vigilant decision making. The theory assumes that decision making effectiveness depends on how group members fulfill five functional prerequisites: understanding the question, determining criteria for acceptable answers, generating alternatives, critically examining alternatives, and selecting the best alternative. Fulfilling these prerequisites leads to more effective group decisions according to the theory.

1. Functional Theory of
Communication
Prepared by:
Mary Joy P. Atendido
AB AVC 3A

2. Functional Theory of
Communication
O attempts to explain how and why
communication is related to the quality of
the decisions groups make.
O Also known as the Functional Group
Communications theory

3. Origins and Influences
O Dennis Gouran and Randy Hirokowa

4. Origins and Influences
O John Dewey and his work on reflective
thinking
O Robert Bales and his work on interaction
process analysis
O Irving Janis and his work on vigilant
decision making

5. 1. John Dewey and his work on
reflective thinking
5 Steps:
O (1) a felt difficulty,
O (2) its location and definition,
O (3) suggestion of possible solution,
O (4) development by reasoning of the
implications and consequences of the
solution, and
O (5) further observation and experiment
leading to its acceptance or rejection.

6. 2. Robert Bales and his work
on Interaction Process
Analysis (IPA)
O Adaptation and instrumental control,
O expression, and integration

7. 3. Irving Janis and his work on
vigilant decision making
O (a) survey the possible alternatives-solutions
available,
O (b) survey the objectives to be accomplished,
O (c) examine the risks and benefits associated with
the alternatives,
O (d) perform an information search,
O (e) process the information in an unbiased manner,
O (f) reappraise the alternatives in light of risks and
benefits before making a final choice, and
O (g) work out a plan for implementing the desired
choice along with contingency plans.

8. The Theory
…rests on the assumption that decision
making effectiveness is not affected by the
production of certain communicative
behaviors but how the requirements are
fulfilled by each member for a successful
task completion.

9. Functional Prerequisites:
O Understand the type of answer for which the issue under
consideration calls. These answers are in response to the type of
question the group is attempting to answer—fact, conjecture, value,
or policy.
O Determine the characteristics of an acceptable answer. Group
members develop criteria that the desired choice should satisfy.
O Marshal a realistic range of alternatives among which an acceptable
answer is presumed to exist. Group members generate a broad
range of possible answers/alternatives/solutions to the issue under
consideration.
O Critically examine every alternative in relation to each criterion used
to define an acceptable answer. This requisite assumes skill,
knowledge, and a sense of objectivity on the part of group
members.
O Select the alternative that best conforms to the characteristics of an
acceptable answer. Group members should also compare the
alternatives against each other to determine which appear to be the
most desirable and appropriate.

10. Conclusion…
O The theory predicts that groups that better
fulfill the requisites of effective decision
making will make more effective
decisions.