Unit 3.2

Question 1

What is active listening?

Answer 1

A skill that involves receiving, interpreting, and responding to messages sent by a communicator.

Active listening is crucial for effective communication.

Question 2

What is the difference between hearing and listening?

Answer 2

Hearing is a physical act, while listening is a conscious activity that involves understanding and responding.

Listening requires active engagement and processing of information.

Question 3

What are the key components of active listening?

Answer 3

Hearing, analyzing, judging, and concluding the message.

Active listening engages both the speaker and the listener in the communication process.

Question 4

What are the four types of listening?

Answer 4

• Ignoring
• Selective listening
• Attentive listening
• Empathetic listening

These types vary based on the quality and engagement of the listener.

Question 5

What characterizes ignoring in listening?

Answer 5

The listener completely ignores the message and the speaker.

This can lead to a breakdown in communication.

Question 6

Define selective listening.

Answer 6

Listening to parts of a conversation while ignoring most of it.

This often occurs when the listener is looking for specific information.

Question 7

What is attentive listening?

Answer 7

Listening to the speaker completely and attentively without ignoring any part of the speech.

It allows for critical examination and forming opinions.

Question 8

What is empathetic listening?

Answer 8

Listening to understand the speaker’s world and viewpoint, regardless of agreement.

This type of listening can have a therapeutic effect.

Question 9

List three benefits of active listening in professional interactions.

Answer 9

• Builds connections
• Increases trust
• Identifies and solves problems

Active listening enhances communication and collaboration.

Question 10

What distinguishes active listening from passive listening?

Answer 10

Active listening is interactive and involves engagement; passive listening is mechanical and lacks absorption of information.

Active listeners provide feedback while passive listeners do not.

Question 11

What are some barriers to good listening?

Answer 11

• Physical reasons
• Age and attitude
• Mental set
• Language issues
• Careless listening

These barriers can impede effective communication.

Question 12

What are physical barriers to listening?

Answer 12

Inability to hear properly, noise, and distance.

These factors can significantly disrupt communication.

Question 13

How can age and attitude affect listening?

Answer 13

Listeners may ignore messages based on their perception of the speaker’s relevance or interest.

This often leads to an attitudinal block.

Question 14

What is a mental set in the context of listening?

Answer 14

A preconceived notion that influences how a listener interprets a speaker’s message.

This can lead to misunderstandings and incomplete communication.

Question 15

How does language serve as a barrier to listening?

Answer 15

Language differences or unclear communication can hinder understanding.

Context-specific language can also create confusion.

Question 16

What does careless listening entail?

Answer 16

Being physically present but mentally absent, often distracted by other tasks.

This behavior can frustrate speakers and disrupt communication.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: Active listening is characterized by _______.

Answer 17

[response or reaction from the listener].

This indicates that the listener is engaged and understanding the speaker’s message.

Question 18

True or False: Passive listening involves providing feedback to the speaker.

Answer 18

False

Passive listening does not include active engagement or feedback.

Question 19

What is the difference between hearing and listening?

Answer 19

Listening makes communication meaningful, while hearing is merely the act of perceiving sound.

Listening requires active engagement and understanding, whereas hearing can occur passively.

Question 20

What is a key characteristic of good listening?

Answer 20

Trying to understand the speaker’s perspective.

It is not necessary to agree with the speaker, but understanding their viewpoint is crucial.

Question 21

What does ‘listening with the whole body’ entail?

Answer 21

Using body language, facial expressions, and eye contact to show attentiveness.

This feedback is vital for the speaker to gauge listener engagement.

Question 22

True or False: A good listener judges the speaker’s talk prematurely.

Answer 22

False.

A good listener avoids premature judgments and seeks to understand the speaker’s feelings.

Question 23

What does it mean to go beyond the words of the speaker?

Answer 23

Understanding the sentiment and context behind the speaker’s words.

It involves analyzing body language and the speaker’s attitude.

Question 24

What is paraphrasing in the context of listening?

Answer 24

Restating the speaker’s information in different words to confirm understanding.

This helps the speaker focus on their own thoughts and allows for clarity.

Question 25

Define active listening.

Answer 25

Being deeply engaged and attentive to what the speaker is saying, aiming to understand their perspective.

It requires more listening than talking.

Question 26

What is the purpose of clarifying during a conversation?

Answer 26

To invite the speaker to elaborate and clarify any unclear points.

This ensures accurate understanding of the speaker’s message.

Question 27

What is the function of reflecting in active listening?

Answer 27

Relaying what was said back to the speaker to show understanding of their feelings.

It enhances comprehension of both feelings and content.

Question 28

What does summarizing help identify in a conversation?

Answer 28

Key ideas and feelings that are most important to the speaker.

It connects and integrates the main points discussed.

Question 29

List three do’s of active listening.

Answer 29

• Listen more than you talk
• Let the speaker finish before responding
• Ask open-ended questions

Question 30

List three don’ts of active listening.

Answer 30

• Dominate the conversation
• Interrupt
• Jump to conclusions

Question 31

What is selective listening?

Answer 31

Listening to parts of the conversation while ignoring most of it.

This can lead to misunderstandings and poor communication.

Question 32

What is attentive listening?

Answer 32

Listening completely and attentively without ignoring any part of the speech.

It ensures that the listener fully engages with the speaker.

Question 33

Define empathetic listening.

Answer 33

Listening to understand the speaker’s world as they perceive it.

It involves entering the speaker’s frame of reference.

Question 34

What are some barriers to good listening?

Answer 34

• Physical reasons
• Age and attitude
• Mental set
• Language
• Quality of listening

Question 35

True or False: Understanding can bridge the gap between the speed of speaking and listening.

Answer 35

True.

The discrepancy in speed can lead to misunderstandings if not managed.