The Key to Effective Communication Critical Listening Hiner/Winthrop University The Key to Effective Communication

Critical Listening Defined “A mode of monitoring how we are listening so as to maximize our accurate understanding of what another person is saying.” Involves analytically assessing assumptions, claims, information, etc. Involves sympathetically entering into the perspective of others. Glossary of Critical Thinking Terms, Foundation for Critical Thinking Hiner/Winthrop University

Paul and Elder on Listening “Much student listening is unskilled – passive, associational, unquestioned, superficial. Poor listening leads to incomplete internalization and even to blatant misunderstanding. . . . [W]hether you are reading, writing, speaking, or listening, you want your thinking to be clear, precise, relevant, responsive to complexity, as broad as the issue requires, and focused on the appropriate point(s) of view” (169). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life Hiner/Winthrop University

Common Communication Myths Listening is easy and natural. Listening shouldn’t require much work or effort. I am largely objective when I communicate with others. I should not need to ask for clarification – she obviously meant just what she said. I am a naturally good listener – other people are the ones who don’t listen well. If I can’t understand them, it’s their fault. Hiner/Winthrop University

Blocks to Critical Listening Psychological “Blind Spots” Lack of Awareness of our own Cognitive “Blocks” False Assumptions About Communication Egocentrism Laziness or Distraction Hiner/Winthrop University

Bohm: “Blocks” “. . . One tends to believe that one already is listening to the other person in a proper way. It seems then that the main trouble is that the other person is the one who is prejudiced and not listening. . . . It is easy for each one of us to see that the other people are ‘blocked’ about certain questions . . . [yet] the very nature of such a ‘block’ is that it is a kind of insensitivity or ‘anesthesia’ about one’s own contradictions.” David Bohm, “On Communication,” On Dialogue. Ed. Lee Nichol. New York, Routledge: 1996, pp. 4 - 5. Hiner/Winthrop University

Tavris: “Blind Spots” “The brain is designed with blind spots, optical and psychological, and one of its cleverest tricks is to confer on us the comforting delusion that we, personally, do not have any. . . . We assume that other reasonable people see things the same way we do. If they disagree with us, they obviously aren’t seeing clearly. . . . We cannot avoid our psychological blind spots, but if we are unaware of them, we may become unwittingly reckless, crossing ethical lines and making foolish decisions.” Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson, Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me). New York: Harcourt, 2007, pp. 42 – 44. Hiner/Winthrop University

Bohm’s “Dialogue” A recognition of the difference between two points of view along with acceptance of new and different perspectives. A recognition that “the two people are making something in common, i.e., creating something new together.” “Each has to be interested primarily in truth and coherence so that he is ready to drop his old ideas and intentions and so he will be ready to go on to something different, when this is called for.” Hiner/Winthrop University

Features of the Critical Listener Active, Engaged – deliberately seeks understanding. Fully Attentive – resists forming a response before the speaker finishes speaking. Systematically Analytical – applies the Elements to information, claims, and ideas. Focused on Clarity – asks follow-up questions. Responsive -- paraphrases the speaker’s statements for full understanding. Empathetic – actively tries to understand the speaker’s needs, assumptions, values, and opinions. Collaborative – seeks ways to find value in the combination of ideas and input. Hiner/Winthrop University

Tips for Listening Critically Put away cell phones, close laptop computers, and minimize visual distractions. Make eye contact with the speaker. Take written notes, especially when in a classroom setting. Assess your own understanding as you listen. What needs more clarification? What seems incomplete or confusing? Hiner/Winthrop University

Tips for Listening Critically Apply the Elements of Reasoning to the message as you listen. Identify key concepts, articulate the purpose of the information, note underlying assumptions, and identify questions at issue. Assess your own biases and consider the assumptions and point of view of the speaker. Paraphrase what is said to demonstrate understanding and ask for clarification if confused. Hiner/Winthrop University