Listening Skills and Styles

These flashcards cover key concepts related to listening skills, including stages of listening, functions of listening, different listening styles, and strategies for effective listening.

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

This question raises a philosophical inquiry about perception and reality.

Stages of Listening

The stages include Receiving, Attending, Understanding, Responding, and Recalling.

Receiving

The act of hearing sound vibrations and recognizing them; combines visual and auditory input.

Attending to

Devoting attention to received information and focusing on what is salient to us.

Selective attention

The process of focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others.

Understanding

Interpreting the meaning of communication by comparing new information with past knowledge.

Responding

Communicating attention and understanding back to the speaker, both verbally and nonverbally.

Feedback

Responses given after communicating, which can be positive or negative.

Functions of Listening

Include Comprehending, Discerning, Analyzing, Appreciating, and Supporting.

Task-oriented listeners

Listeners who prefer brief messages and are focused on decision-making.

Relational-oriented listeners

Listeners who engage to establish connections and relationships.

Critical listeners

Listeners who evaluate the accuracy and consistency of what is said.

Analytical listeners

Listeners who withhold judgment until all facts are considered.

Incompetent Listening

Includes styles such as Selective, Eavesdropping, Pseudo-listening, Aggressive listening, and Narcissistic listening.

Active Listening

Engaging fully in conversations by managing attention and providing feedback.

Attention gap

A situation where one's attention level falls short of what is needed for effective listening.

Paraphrasing

Rephrasing what someone has said to show understanding.

Strategies for Active Listening

Include concentrating on important aspects, giving clear feedback, and adapting listening style.