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.*