What is LISTENING?

Michael Purdy

The Primacy of Listening

It is impossible to overemphasize the immense need humans have to be

really listened to, to be taken seriously, to be understood. Listen to all the
conversations of our world, between nations as well as those
between couples. They are for the most part dialogues of the deaf.”
(Powell, p. 5)
The importance of listening has been recognized by many professional
organizations and influential individuals. Wolvin and Coakley cite no less
than 12 major research studies by organizations which found
listening to be one of the most important skills (in many cases the most
important skill) for employees at every level of the organization (1988, p.
28).
Listening is one important ingredient to success in personal and
professional life. Those who master the art of listening will at the very least
be regarded positively.
Sometimes we talk to control people and/or situations. Sometimes we talk
so we will not have to listen to ourselves. Regardless, when we talk to
another person our whole system becomes more excited. When we listen
we are more relaxed. It would seem best, then, to balance our listening and
talking.

As essential as our physical health is to each of us it is equally important to

recognize how crucial good communication is to the health of our
interpersonal relationships. Maintaining good relationships leads to
a healthier and happier life. As Stewart says “The quality of your life is
directly linked to the quality of your communication” (1986, p. 7). In
personal life, as well as in the business and professional world we
can only benefit from the constructive role of effective listening.
Time Spent for Listening

Among the basic skills we need for success in life, listening is primary.
Developmentally, we listen before we learn to speak, read, or write. Brown, one
of the pioneers of listening research has noted that “Of foremost importance is
the role of listening in language acquisition, [itself] the basis of all subsequent
communication, the foundation of all life–long reading, writing, speaking and
listening activities” (1987, p. 5). Heidegger, considered one of the 20th century’s
greatest philosophers, recognized the primacy of listening in creating meaning
and in developing our relationships with one another (1962, p. 204).
Listening establishes us in our life situation and enables us to maintain
meaningful relations with family,
friends, and professional associates.

LISTENING DEFINED

The process of listening is often contrasted with hearing. Lundsteen considered

hearing a physical act and listening a mental act. Hearing she said had to do with
our physiological capacity to receive and process sounds (1979, p. xv). Problems
with our ability to hear could hinder our listening. Hence, it behooves each
of us to have our hearing checked if we think it could be affecting our ability to
listen. In contrast to hearing, listening has to do with assigning meaning to the
stimuli received by our brain. To listen, according to Nichols and Lewis, is to attach
“meaning to the aural symbols perceived” (p. 1).
Listening, however, is not automatic.
To be better listeners we need to understand, and work with the
components of the listening process. For our purposes, whatever
definition of listening we choose we must know that (1) listening can
be learned,
(2) that listening is an active process, involving mind and body, with
verbal and nonverbal processes working together, and (3) that listening
allows us to be receptive to the needs, concerns, and information of
others, as well as the environment around us.
Listening is comprised of seven essential components: (1) volition, (2)
focused attention, (3) perception, (4) interpretation, (5) remembering,
(6) response, and (7) the human element. These seven components
are an integral part of the dynamic and active process of listening.
That listening is dynamic means that while there may be essential
components the act of listening itself is never the same twice. We must
be constantly alert and open to improvisation as the elements of the
listening situation change.