Four Stages of Listening
- Hearing: detecting sound waves
- Understanding: converting sound to message
- Evaluating: prioritizing messages
- Responding: simple or complex
Four Listening Styles
- Action-Oriented
- Content-Oriented
- People-Oriented
- Time-Oriented
Action-Oriented Listening
- Preference for error-free, well-organized speaking
- Emphasis on active responding
- Skills: informational listening
Content-Oriented Listening
- interested in complex information
- Assess content and quality
- skills: informational listening and critical listening
People-Oriented Listening
- Used to service relationships
- Skills: supportive listening
Time-Oriented Listening
- Prefers brief speech
- Aims to limit time spent listening
- No skills needed
Gender’s Impact on Listening
gender-based stereotypes; women are better at listening than men
Age’s Impact on Listening
- children do not understand conversational rules (poor listeners)
- teens close off channels
- sandwich generations have to listen to both the young and the old
Nationality’s Impact on Listening
culture influences nonverbal expressions of listening
4 Barriers to Listening
- Physical/Physiological
- Psychological
- Conflicting Objectives
- Poor Listening Habits
Physical/Physiological Barriers
Physical: environmental distractions, physical discomfort, or fatigue
Physiological: ability to hear
Psychological barriers
- Boredom
- Preoccupation
Conflicting Objectives
We chose how/whether to listen depending on our objectives
Poor Listening Habits (5)
- Wandering
- Rejecting
- Judging
- Predicting
- Rehearsing
Social Filters for Listening (3)
- Social Hierarchy
- Context
- Soundscapes
Listening by Social Hierarchy
- influence who we chose to listen to
- based on social status, physical appearance, and vocal cues
Listening in Context
- different contexts call for different listening styles
- groups can be marginalized in certain contexts
Listening in Soundscapes
- the everyday sounds of an environment that help to establish community
- community members may be outcasted un they do not understand the soundscape
Ethical Choices About Listening
- Choosing to close channels (earbuds)
- Choosing to listen selectively
- Choosing not to listen
- Choosing to listen together
Mindful Listening
- Desire the whole message
- Eliminate/ignoring physical barriers
- Place your agenda below the speakers’
