Chapter 5 – Listening
Chapter 5 – Listening – Topic 2
https://youtu.be/s33ScN4D-HU
https://youtu.be/8aXqgoiVb8E
https://youtu.be/BFRoXoh6aks
Though these clips may be a little old, they’re no less relevant to the discussion of listening, especially as we introduce things like gender, culture, and being an active listener. Please answer the following questions:
1. The first video is from the movie, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948). Though this scene is short, there’s a lot going on here.
a. Briefly tell me what is going on here from a professional listening standpoint AND from a relational standpoint:
b. What could Mrs. Blandings have done differently to make sure her message was heard accurately? What about the men to confirm what they heard?
The humor of this scene depends on the premise that what women say is different than what men hear.
c. In your opinion, do you think there’s some truth to the notion that in addition to communicating differently, men and women listen differently as well?
Use terminology from the text to help support your answers.
2. The second video is from the movie, Wayne’s World 2 (1993).
a. Section 5.2 talks about barriers to effective listening. What barriers are present for the radio DJ?
b. What type of (bad) listening does the radio DJ exhibit? (Hint: I’m looking for specific terminology from the text)
c. Have you ever experienced a situation like this – from either standpoint? How did it make you feel? What did you do, or what could you have done differently or better? Think in relative terms here. I’m not asking if you have literally been a DJ or have been interviewed by a DJ regarding a music festival you’re putting on where you’re bringing in Aerosmith 😉
Again, use terminology from the text to support your answers.
3. The third video is from the TV show, Seinfeld (1989-98).
a. The “low talker” did not create a listenable message here. What can you do to make sure you’re creating a listenable message?
b. Though it is not detailed or named in the book, what’s going on here is a phenomenon called “listener apprehension,” which is “the fear of misunderstanding, misinterpreting, or being unable to adjust to the spoken messages of others.” What could have been done, aside from simply asking her to repeat herself (because obviously that didn’t work), to make sure the intended message was heard and understood?
c. Let’s take a look at this from a different lens, and instead of trying to communicate with a “low talker,” let’s apply this to a cultural setting. Have you ever experienced listener apprehension with someone from a different culture, either as a communicator or listener? How did you/can you/should you adjust for it?
For example, I know when I lived in Greece, I found myself smiling and nodding to broken English, but depending on the situation, I would ask for clarification. Also, since I know I have the tendency to talk fast and that I typically would have a couple of students for whom English was a second (or third or fourth!) language, I had to force myself to remember to slow down (not condescendingly, though) when I spoke
Answer preview to Chapter 5 – Listening
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