Final answer:
The boy's compliment serves an instrumental function of communication, acting as a rhetorical tool to persuade his mother to lend him money. This strategic use of a compliment demonstrates how various communicative acts serve specific aims beyond their literal meaning, reflecting the importance of intent in effective communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around the functional communication competency that the boy's compliment to his mother serves. When the boy compliments his mother's hairstyle before asking for a loan, his compliment can be considered as serving an instrumental function. In this context, the compliment is used as a tool to achieve the specific aim of obtaining money. This action falls into the realm of rhetoric, which is the art of effective or persuasive communication. The boy likely believes that by complimenting his mother, he will put her in a good mood, thus increasing his chances of securing the loan. Consequently, the compliment is not merely an observance of social niceties; it is a strategic move that has a clear purpose within the communicative situation.
Understanding the intent and effectiveness of one's communication is important as it involves analyzing how different forms of communication, including facial expressions and tone of voice, fulfill specific communicative functions. Just as an infant interprets certain cues from caregivers to understand when they are pleased or displeased, this boy employs his words to influence his mother's emotional state and, consequently, the outcome of his request for a loan.
In essence, the boy's compliment to his mother serves a rhetorical function within their communication, aiming to persuade his mother to react favorably to his forthcoming request for money. It exemplifies the use of language with an intentional purpose beyond the surface-level meaning of the words—demonstrating a key aspect of why rhetoric is an integral part of understanding communication in social interactions.