LISTENING

Listening
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen
twice as much as we speak. ~ Epictetus
•Of the time spent communicating each day, 45% is devoted to
listening.
•Usually a person only remembers about 50% of what is said to
them.
•After eight hours they forget another 1/2 to 1/3 of what was
originally grasped.

?
So that means you typically forget about 75% of
what you hear.
Why is listening important?

Listening will help you in…

•School
•Relationships
•Social groups & organizations
•Making informed decisions
•On the job
 FACT or FICTION??

Listening and hearing are the same thing.

FACT: Hearing is the first step but doesn’t mean you
understand what you hear.
Listening is easy.
FACT: Listening is a complex process that requires
energy, effort, and skills.
The speaker is primarily responsible for the message
sent.
FACT: Speaker and listener share the responsibility. A
listener may have to make up for a sender’s lack of
ability.
 FACT or FICTION??
Listening is a matter of intelligence.
FACT: Careful listening is a learned
behavior.
Speaking is more important than listening in the
communication process.
FACT: Speaking and listening are equally
important.

5-7
 FACT or FICTION?
Listening is easy and requires little energy.
FACT: Active listeners undergo the same
physiological changes as a person jogging.
Listening and hearing are the same process.
FACT: Listening is a conscious, selective
process. Hearing is an involuntary act.

5-8
 FACT or FICTION?
Speakers are able to command listening.
FACT: Speakers cannot make a person
really listen.
Hearing ability determines listening ability.
FACT: Listening happens mentally—
between the ears.

5-9
 FACT or FICTION?
Speakers are totally responsible for
communication success.
FACT: Communication is a two-way street.
Listening is only a matter of understanding a
speaker’s words.
FACT: Nonverbal signals also help listeners
gain understanding.

5-10
 FACT or FICTION?
Daily practice eliminates the need for listening
training.
FACT: Without effective listening training,
most practice merely reinforces negative
behaviors.
Competence in listening develops naturally.
FACT: Untrained people listen at only 25
percent efficiency.
5-11
McGraw-Hills, 2010
 Did you know??
• The average person speaks at a rate of about
150 words per minute.
• Listeners, however, can understand messages
presented at a rate of 380 words per minute.
• Often that “lag” time causes listeners to let
their minds wander.
• You have to learn to focus your attention on
the message.
 Listening for fun. Used when listening to
lectures in class.
Ap
Used in social situations like concerts, pr
ec Used when listening to
al
plays or sporting events.
iat ic
announcements or getting directions.
i ve it
Goal is enjoyment and helps a person
to relax.
Cr Used when you need to remember
something important.

Listening to enjoy or appreciate a Listening to comprehend ideas and information in order to

speaker’s message or performance. achieve a specific purpose or goal.

Kinds of Listening
Listening to understand, participate
Listening to understand, analyze, and
and enhance a relationship.
evaluate messages.
Usually used in interactions between
two people or a small group. Used when receiving and evaluating
Goal is to develop understanding and appreciation of De persuasive messages.
the meanings & feelings of sender.
thic lib
pa era Use when you must make decisions.
You try to put yourself in another
Em tiv
person’s place, but not necessarily e
agree with them. It should make you think.

Steps in the listening process
Not everyone hears the
same way. Men actually
prefer certain frequencies.
Hearing
The reception of
sound.
You first respond
emotionally, then
intellectually. Then you
decide how to respond.
Your knowledge,
attitudes, values, beliefs
and self-concept
influences your
perception. Responding
Your own needs, interests, Your reaction to
attitudes, and knowledge the message. It
affects your choice to pay
can be emotional
attention.
Understanding and intellectual.
Deciding what the
message means to
you.
Choosing
The act of
choosing to focus
attention on the
message.
Definition of listening:
It is a physical and psychological
process that involves choosing to listen,
understanding, and responding to
symbolic messages from others.
 Factors that affect the listening process

• Noise – Internal and external distractions

– Examples: outside sounds, distracting thoughts

• Barriers – Blocks listening/understanding.

– Unfamiliar language, anger, attitudes, biases, needs, beliefs, fear,
hearing problems, tuning out, stress, ignorance, prejudices, tired.
• Memory – 3 types
– Immediate – Recalling information for a brief period of time.
– Short term – Recalling information for carrying out a routine or
daily task.
– Long term – Recalling information from past experience.
 The Six Levels of Listening

1. Hearing - ignoring
2. Pretending – listening with the eyes
3. Selective Listening – passive listening
4. Attentive Listening – critical listening;
listening with the mind
5. Sympathetic Listening – listening with
the heart
6. Emphatic Listening – with action
 Active Projective Listening Tips
• Listening
– Pay attention (stop talking)
– Avoid distractions (control surroundings)
– Do not let your mind wander (develop a receptive
mindset)
– Do not assume and interrupt (keep an open mind; listen
for main points)
– Watch for nonverbal cues
– Ask questions
– Take selective notes
– Convey meaning
5-17
 Active Projective Listening Tips
• Analyzing
– Think (listen between the lines)
– Evaluate after listening (hold your fire)
– Evaluate facts presented (judge facts and
ideas, not appearances)
• Speaking
– Paraphrase first (provide feedback)
– Watch for nonverbal cues.
5-18