1. Chapter 5: Listeners and Speakers

2. Active Listening 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP55nA8fQ9I
Everybody loves Raymond

3. Discussion Prompt
Almost 700 years ago, the Italian poet Dante wrote in his classic work The Devine Comedy, “He listens well who takes notes.” On the basis of your experiences, why is note taking such an important aid to good listening?

4. Listening Listening is the conscious act of Receiving messages;
Comprehending messages;
Interpreting messages;
Evaluating messages;
Responding to messages.

5. Recognize That We Listen Selectively
Audience members process information differently.
Selective perception
People pay attention to certain messages
Ignore others

6. Recognize That We Listen Selectively (cont.)
Factors influencing what we listen to
We pay attention to
What we hold to be important;
Information touching our experiences/backgrounds.
We sort/filter information based on what we know.

7. Recognize That We Listen Selectively (cont.)
Identify what is important to listeners.
Show listeners what they can gain.
Touch upon listeners’ experiences and backgrounds.

8. Recognize That We Listen Selectively (cont.)
Build repetition of key ideas.
Use analogies to help listeners learn.
Use presentation aids when appropriate.

9. Listening and Critical Thinking
Appreciative listening
Music
Comedy
Entertainment
Empathic listening
Lending an ear to a friend
Psychologist
Comprehensive listening
Classroom lecture
Getting directions to a friend’s house
Critical listening
Sales pitch of a makeup consultant or car salesman
Campaign speech of a political candidate

10. Anticipate Obstacles to Listening
Active listening is focused and purposeful.
Obstacles to listening
External and internal distractions
Scriptwriting and defensive listening
Laziness and overconfidence
Cultural barriers

11. Anticipate Obstacles to Listening (cont.)
Minimize external and internal distractions.
Environmental distractions (e.g., a siren)
Try to anticipate and plan for them.
Internal distractions
Be well rested and avoid daydreaming.
Monitor yourself and consciously focus.

12. Anticipate Obstacles to Listening (cont.)
Guard against
Scriptwriting
Focusing on what you’ll say next
Defensive listening
Disliking the speaker’s words beforehand
Deciding you know better

13. Anticipate Obstacles to Listening (cont.)
Beware of laziness and overconfidence.
Can manifest in several ways
Expecting too little from the speaker
Ignoring important information
Displaying an arrogant attitude

14. Anticipate Obstacles to Listening (cont.)
Work to overcome cultural barriers.
As a listener
Consciously refrain from prejudging the speaker;
Focus on what is being said;
Ask questions to reveal your needs.

15. Anticipate Obstacles to Listening (cont.)
Work to overcome cultural barriers (cont.).
As a speaker
Eliminate or define idioms;
Speak at an appropriate rate;
Pay attention to pronunciation and articulation;
Be alert to nonverbal cues;
Clarify points when indicated.

16. Practice Active Listening
Steps to active listening
Set listening goals.
Listen for main ideas.
Watch for speaker’s nonverbal cues.
Try to detect speaker’s organizational pattern.

17. Evaluate Evidence and Reasoning
Use your critical faculties to
Evaluate the speaker’s evidence;
Analyze the speaker’s assumptions and biases;
Assess the speaker’s reasoning;
Consider multiple perspectives;
Summarize and assess facts and evidence.

18. Strive for the Open and Respectful Exchange of Ideas
Dialogic communication
Sharing of ideas in respectful atmosphere
Speaker
Opportunity to achieve understanding with audience
Listeners
Being open-minded and empathetic

19. Offer Constructive and Compassionate Feedback
Be honest and fair when evaluating.
Adjust to the speaker’s style.
Be compassionate in your criticism.
Be selective in your criticism.

20. Thought/Speech Differential
We listen at a much faster rate than we speak, creating a differential between “thought speed” and “speech speed.” This is one reason we are so easily distracted.
To avoid the distraction of thinking ahead of the speaker, ask yourself questions about the speaker’s true meaning and any underlying assumptions he or she may have. Consider how your own biases are intruding on your listening, as well as how you can use the speaker’s information.

21. Active Listening 2 Is Ray listening now? How do you know?

22. Summary Questions What is listening, and why is it important?
What are the major obstacles to active listening?
What steps can you take to become a more active listener?