passive listening definition and examples

Collectively, these two studies indicate that you spend approximately half of your time communicating with others. Other listening scholars have concluded that in specific settings such as work, family/friend, on average, we spend at least 50% of our day listening to either another person or to media (Janusik & Wolvin, 2009). In his groundbreaking research, Paul Rankin (1926) found that adults listen 42% and speak 32% of their daily communication time. Listening is important because we spend most of our lives listening. The definition of listening as defined by the ILA will be used for the remainder of this unit because it was developed by an international organization of members that promote the study, development, and teaching of listening. However, listening, as defined by both the ILA and the NCA, is an active, conscious communication act. Effective listening includes both literal and critical comprehension of ideas and information transmitted in oral language.”Īs you just read, the different definitions of listening as a concept are extremely broad. People listen in order to comprehend information, critique and evaluate a message, show empathy for the feelings expressed by others, or appreciate a performance. “Listening is the process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken and nonverbal messages.

In 1998, the National Communication Association (NCA) came up with its own definition in a document summarizing two sets of competencies (speaking and listening) for college students. For example, the International Listening Association (ILA) defines listening as “the process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken and/or nonverbal messages” (1995). Several large associations have also weighed in. Other definitions highlighted verbal and nonverbal communication. Some definitions illuminated the importance of the listener’s role and conducts for the effectiveness of the interaction. Often discrepancies about definitions involved the very active and complex cognitive nature of listening. Throughout the years, researchers have generated numerous definitions of listening (Barker and Fitch-Hauser, 1986 Glenn, 1989 Wolvin & Coakley, 1996 Worthington & Bodie, 2018). If you struggled to come up with your own definition of listening, know that you are not alone. In other words, that definition is an oversimplification of a very complex interpersonal communication skill. While some may find this definition acceptable, others would say it not completely accurate because it fails to take into account verbal and nonverbal aspects of listening. According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to listen is “to pay attention to sound, to hear something with thoughtful attention, to be alert to catch an expected sound” (“Listen”, 2020, n.p.). If you had to come up with your own definition for listening, how would you define listening? Now, if you compared your definition with someone else would the definitions match, be completely different or, somewhere in the middle? Chances are, you may find it easier to explain what is not listening than what is listening. Finally, you will learn about a number of different features in the listening process.

Second, you will learn why listening is important. But, are these people really listening to you or are they doing something else and you think they are good listeners because you have never defined listening? In this Module, you will learn what listening is. You may quickly realize that your answer has something to do with your ability to openly communicate and how much each person actively listens in the relationship. Are any of these relationships’ family members, friends, colleagues, co-workers, people you met on-line or regularly Skype with? Now think about why you value these relationships. Take two or three minutes to recount your most cherished interpersonal relationships.

Passive listening definition and examples