Chapter Two Listeners and Speakers
Jan 01, 2016
Chapter Two
Listeners and Speakers
Chapter Two
Table of ContentsUnderstanding the Listening ProcessBarriers to Active ListeningBecoming a More Active ListenerActive Listening and Critical ThinkingGuidelines for Evaluating Speeches
and Presentations*
Listeners and Speakers
It is the listener and speaker together who truly make a speech.
The continual feedback between speaker and listener is called circular response.*
Understanding the Listening Process
Hearing is the physiological process of perceiving sounds.
Listening is the conscious act of recognizing, understanding, and accurately interpreting communicated messages.
While hearing is largely reflexive or automatic, listening is selective and discriminating.*
Understanding the Listening Process
Listening is SelectiveBridging the Message-Perception Gap*
Understanding the Listening Process:
Listening is Selective
Selective perception is the process by which people pay attention to certain messages and ignore others. We pay attention to what we hold to be
important. We pay attention to information that
touches our experience and background. We sort and filter information on the
basis of what we already know.*
Understanding the Listening Process:
Bridging the Message-Perception Gap
The fact that no two people will interpret a message in exactly the same way can lead to misunderstandings, or a message-perception gap.*
Barriers to Active Listening
Active listening is focused, purposeful thinking which is a multi-step process of gathering and evaluating information.*
Barriers to Active Listening
Obstacles to active listening: Inattentiveness
and distractionsExternal
distractionsInternal
distractions*
Barriers to Active Listening
Scriptwriting and Defensive Listening
Laziness and OverconfidenceCultural BarriersListening Anxiety (Receiver
Apprehension)*
Barriers to Active Listening:
Scriptwriting and Defensive Listening
People who are “scriptwriters” are thinking about what they, and not the speaker, will say next.
Defensive listening usually occurs when we sense that our attitudes and opinions are being challenged.*
Barriers to Active Listening:
Laziness and Overconfidence
Laziness and overconfidence can occur when we expect too little from speakers, ignore important information, or display an arrogant attitude.*
Barriers to Active Listening:
Cultural Barriers
Differences in dialects, accents, nonverbal cues, word choice, and even physical appearance can serve as barriers to listening.
Do not judge speakers on their appearances, but rather on the content of what they are saying.*
Barriers to Active Listening:
Listening Anxiety (Receiver Apprehension)
Just as speech anxiety hampers one’s ability to prepare and deliver a speech, listening anxiety reduces our own ability to concentrate on and recall information.
Listening anxiety usually occurs when people feel insecure.*
Becoming a More Active Listener
Active listeners use their eyes as well as their ears.*
Becoming a More Active Listener
Set Listening GoalsListen for Main IdeasWatch for Nonverbal Cues*
Becoming a More Active Listener:
Set Listening Goals
Why are you listening?
What do you need and expect?*
Becoming a More Active Listener:
Listen for Main Ideas
Listen for the speaker’s organizational pattern.
Listen for introductions, transitions, and conclusions.
Watch for a direct eye gaze.Take notes of the speaker’s main
points.*
Becoming a More Active Listener:
Watch for Nonverbal Cues
Much of a speaker’s message is communicated nonverbally through: Body language Facial expressions Stance and posture*
Active Listening and Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate claims on the basis of well-supported reasons.*
Active Listening andCritical Thinking
Evaluate the evidence. Analyze assumptions and biases. Resist false dilemmas,
overgeneralizations, and either-or thinking.
Consider multiple perspectives. Assess an argument’s logic. Summarize and judge.*
Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations
By critically evaluating the speeches of others, you’ll be able to better assess your own strengths and weaknesses as a speaker.*
Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations
Be Honest and Fair in Your EvaluationAdjust to the Speaker’s StyleBe Compassionate in Your Criticism*
Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations:
Be Honest and Fair in Your Evaluation
It is important to remain open to ideas and beliefs that differ from your own.*
Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations:
Adjust to the Speaker’s Style
Maintaining respect for all types and styles of speakers is a sign of good listening.*
Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations: Be
Compassionate in Criticizing
Be constructive: Start by saying
something positive. Focus on the
speech, not the speaker.
Target your criticism.*