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Communicating in Relationships: Individual Assignment #2

Student’s Name

Instructor’s Name

Course

Date
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Part A

Example of how the principle was

Listening Style One key principle not demonstrated in the video

(1 point each) segment

(2 points each)

Empathic Listening A key principle in  Sheldon is distracted by the

empathic listening is being game whenever Leonard is

attentive to a speaker's talking to him.

speech without becoming  Sheldon occasionally introduces

distracted. a new topic without listening to

Leonard’s speech content.

Nonjudgmental A key principle in  Both Leonard and Sheldon are

Listening nonjudgmental listening is making arguments based on

parties avoiding expressing their emotions during the

negative judgments conversation. For instance,

influenced by their when Sheldon is talking to

emotions during a Leonard about humiliating

communication process. Stephen Hawking in a game of

chess, Leonard makes hurtful

comments (BestShowBits,

2013).

 Sheldon avoids making positive

language while Leonard is

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talking.

Polite Listening A listener should avoid  Both Sheldon and Leonard

interrupting a speaker until interrupt each other as they

they finish talking to avoid engage in the conversation

rudeness. activity.

 Sheldon uses impolite language

such as “weak-minded”

whenever referring to Leonard

(BestShowBits, 2013).

Active Listening In a speech, the parties  Both Sheldon and Leonard

should listen more rather struggle to listen to each other

than talk more. due to less clarity as they talk

more rather than listening to

each other’s message first.

 Both Sheldon and Leonard are

not focused on a single topic

during their discussions.

Part B
The statement made by Sheldon: “I humiliated Stephen Hawking in a game of “Words with

Friends”. He stopped playing, and now we are not friends anymore.”

Provide a response that Leonard could make to Sheldon that would demonstrate the principles of

Active Listening: “Oh really? That must be marvellous.”

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The statement made by Leonard: “I can’t let Penny turn in a bad paper, but I can’t tell her it’s

bad without letting her know I read it”.

Provide a response that Sheldon could make to Leonard that would demonstrate the principles of

Active Listening: “Inquire Penny first if she is not mad with you reading her paper before

deciding to inform her.”

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Reference

BestShowBits. (2013). The Big Bang Theory - Chess Clock Conversation. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr1uS8KZbto&t=27s