The Mechanics of Listening Flashcards
What is the main focus of Kate Murphy’s book You’re Not Listening?
The book explores the complexities of listening, emphasizing that it is an active process engaging both the mind and body, rather than a passive act.
What are the key components involved in the physiological process of listening?
Sound waves enter the ear canal, causing the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted to the malleus, incus, and stapes in the middle ear, then to the cochlea where mechanical energy is converted into electrical signals. These signals travel to the brain’s auditory cortex for recognition as sound.
How do physiological factors affect the listening process?
Factors such as ear health, age, and sleep impact the efficiency of the listening process. For instance, a tired brain may not interpret sounds as effectively as a well-rested one.
What are the key elements of the psychological process of listening?
Listening involves attention, memory, and interpretation, where the brain filters sounds through past experiences, emotions, and knowledge to give context and meaning to what is heard.
What are some common barriers to effective listening identified by Murphy?
Distractions (e.g., smartphone notifications, environmental factors), the myth of multitasking, emotional noise (e.g., anger, frustration), biases and prejudices, lack of interest in the topic, and physical barriers (e.g., hearing impairments, poor acoustics).
How does the brain’s prefrontal cortex contribute to listening?
The prefrontal cortex processes information and empathy, helping us comprehend words and understand the emotions and intentions behind them.
What is the difference between hearing and listening according to Murphy?
Hearing is a passive act of perceiving sound, while listening is an active, cognitive process that involves engaging with the content and context of the message.
Why is active listening important?
Active listening builds relationships, enables empathy, and improves communication by ensuring we understand the full message, including emotional and contextual nuances.
What are some strategies to improve listening skills?
Focus fully on the speaker, resist the urge to interrupt, withhold judgment until the full message is conveyed, and provide feedback by asking questions or paraphrasing.
How do distractions and multitasking impact listening?
Distractions and attempting to multitask can lead to fragmented attention and poor retention, making it difficult to listen effectively and absorb the full message.
