Critical

Listening
 A type of listening that involves a process
of critical thinking, analysis and judgment
about what a person had said
The focus of criticism may be either or
both of the subject being said or
discussed or the logical structure being
proposed
 Types of Listening

Discriminative Listening
Discriminative listening is the most basic type of listening,
whereby the difference between difference sounds is identified. If you
cannot hear differences, then you cannot make sense of the meaning
that is expressed by such differences.
1. Comprehension Listening

The next step beyond discriminating between different sound and

sights is to make sense of them. To comprehend the meaning requires
first having a lexicon of words at our fingertips and also all rules of
grammar and syntax by which we can understand what others are
saying.
2. Biased listening
Biased listening happens when the person hears only what they want to hear,
typically misinterpreting what the other person says based on the stereotypes
and other biases that they have. Such biased listening is often very evaluative in
nature.

3. Sympathetic listening
In sympathetic listening we care about the other person and show this
concern in the way we pay close attention and express our sorrow for their
ills and happiness at their joys.
Evaluative listening

In evaluative listening, or critical listening, we make judgments about

what the other person is saying. We seek to assess the truth of what
is being said. We also judge what they say against our values,
assessing them as good or bad, worthy or unworthy. Typically also
we weigh up the pros and cons of an argument, determining whether
it makes sense logically as well as whether it is helpful to us.
4. Appreciative listening
In appreciative listening, we seek certain information which will appreciate, for example
that which helps meet our needs and goals. We use appreciative listening when we are
listening to good music, poetry or maybe even the stirring words of a great leader.

5. Empathetic listening
When we listen empathetically, we go beyond sympathy to seek a truer understand how
others are feeling. This requires excellent discrimination and close attention to the nuances
of emotional signals. When we are being truly empathetic, we actually feel what they are
feeling.
6. Therapeutic listening
In therapeutic listening, the listener has a purpose of not only empathizing with the
speaker but also to use this deep connection in order to help the speaker understand,
change or develop in some way.

7. Dialogic listening
The word 'dialogue' stems from the Greek words 'dia', meaning 'through' and 'logos'
meaning 'words'. Thus dialogic listening mean learning through conversation and an
engaged interchange of ideas and information in which we actively seek to learn more
about the person and how they think.
8. Relationship listening
Sometimes the most important factor in listening is in order to
develop or sustain a relationship. This is why lovers talk for hours
and attend closely to what each other has to say when the same
words from someone else would seem to be rather boring.
 Critical Listening Skills
Understand the Person and the Context
When seeking to do critical listening, it can help to understand the
person and their context. Many arguments do not stand alone and
understanding why the person is saying what they are saying can help in
the understanding and consequently evaluation of their message.
Probe
A useful approach is to probe, asking questions to add useful
information and help them develop their argument

Discrimination
It is the separation of one thing or idea from another.
 Fallacies in Critical Listening
Fallacy - It is the usage of invalid or faulty reasoning in the construction of an
argument.

Types of Fallacy
* Causal Fallacy * Hasty Generalization
* Ad Hominem * Ad Baculum
* Poisoning the Wall * Appeal to Emotion
Causal Fallacy
It is a type of fallacy that creates a faulty cause-and-effect
connection between two thing

Hasty Generalization
It is a type of fallacy in which the person or a group of people
already reached a conclusion without adequate evidence to support
the conclusion.
Ad Hominem
It is a type of fallacy in which a person start attacking a person
instead of giving a strong argument.

Ad Baculum
It is a type of fallacy in which a person uses inappropriate rudeness
to gain one’s belief to agree to your side.
Poisoning the Wall
It is a type of fallacy in which a person says negative things about
someone so others won’t believe him.

Appeal to Emotion
It is a type of fallacy in which an argument is made due to the
manipulation of emotions, rather than the use of valid reasoning
 6 Ways to Improve Listening Skills

1 – LET THE OTHER PERSON SPEAK

Obvious, I know, but how many times have you been talking to
someone and it’s clear that they would rather be speaking than
listening.
Allow the other person time to gather their thoughts and
articulate what is on their mind.
2 – INTENTLY FOCUS ON THEM
It takes effort to really listen, and that’s why a lot of people don’t
do it.
Many people are ‘shallow’ listeners, not really paying attention to
what is being said.
They are making judgements and opinions on the ideas rather
than really focusing and concentrating on the meaning behind the
words
3 - STOP YOURSELF INTERRUPTING

If you interrupt, you certainly aren’t displaying the first two tips.
A classy conversationalist will allow one or two seconds at the end of the
speaker’s words to ensure they have really finished, and to allow themselves
time to think through a reply.
Resist the urge to interrupt, even if you have a valid excuse, like you might
forget what you were going to say if you don’t say it now! I’m sorry, but it’s
rude, inconsiderate and shows you’re a poor listener
4 – TAKE NOTE OF THEIR OPINIONS, IDEAS, FACTS This is important, as
they have just given you a glimpse of their model of the world.

You may not agree with it, you may consider it to be wrong or you may have vastly
different ideas yourself.
See if you can rationally identify what their opinions, ideas or thoughts are really
telling you.
Do they know all the facts?
Have they got opinions that are based on lack of knowledge?
Think through why they would be having this viewpoint
5 – EVALUATE WHERE YOU ARE NOW
Having listened effectively, you can consider the position you are now
in.
Are you more knowledgeable than before?
Has their viewpoint cleared something up for you?
Do you see things differently now?
Take a moment to consider what has changed as a result of really
listening to this person.
6 – NO JUDGEMENT
As humans, it seems we are conditioned to judge situations from our own
vantage point, and we get a sense of security from seeing that our views are
supported and proved correct.
So when someone has a viewpoint different to us, we tend to judge whether they
are right or wrong, black or white.
Keep in mind that the person is sharing ideas from where they are. In their eyes
they are correct. Not judging them will prove you are an excellent listener rather
than a judgmental one.