Listening Attitudes Principles Skills Chapter 2 Objectives After

Listening: Attitudes, Principles, & Skills Chapter 2 Objectives After completing this chapter, you will become more aware of: • The central role listening plays in the communication process • The importance of individual perception in the listening process • The complexity of listening • The variety of listening definitions • Factors that influence your listening

Listening is a Receiver-Defined Activity—a message means whatever the listener thinks it means.

Traditional Communication Models Linear: Sender – Encode – Message – Channel – Receiver Decode – Feedback -- Noise

Meanings are influenced by: • listener variables, the • listener’s past experiences, and • the communication context.

Negotiated Meanings Negotiated meaning emphasizes the role listening plays as you strive to align your behavior with your partner’s based on a process of constant listening and subsequent adjustment. Cultural differences make the possibility of miscommunication even more striking.

Factors that Influence Listening • • Open-mindedness, personal style, patience Intelligence Anxiety & stress Attitude Gender Cultural background Organization Nature of the message

Things we know about LISTENING: • Listening is a system of interrelated processes • Listening involves both hearing and seeing • Listening can take place in mediated situations • Listening is active and mindful • Your response is a necessary component of the listening process • Listening is not always purposeful

Listening Strategy is determined by CONTEXT Dyadic/Interpersonal Small Group Public Mediated (texting, email, phone, zoom) PURPOSE Discriminative (distinguish sounds) Comprehensive (understand & learn) Critical (evaluate & judge) Therapeutic (empathize) Appreciative (enjoy)