Interpersonal communication is a common activity in human life, and it is important to understand what methods can be applied to achieve the best results. Listening is an element that some people do not properly recognize because they use the Internet and prefer distant cooperation, even within families (Johnson & Francis, 2022). However, listening is important for understanding information and becoming a sufficient communicator (Kriz et al., 2021). According to DeVito (2019), there are four listening styles: active, empathic, polite, and critical. Each style impacts human life and interactions, and my preference for active listening in the family helps me explore my feelings and thoughts in a necessary way.
Each listening style is characterized by specific purposes and skills. Active listening aims to check a person’s understanding of content, reflect on what is said, acknowledge thoughts, and explore feelings (DeVito, 2019). The main techniques for this style are paraphrasing, expressing understanding, and asking questions. Critical listening is more complex because of the necessity to enhance evaluations and judgments. To listen critically, a person should keep an open mind, avoid oversimplification and highlighting, focus on biases, and consider the effect of verbal and nonverbal messages (DeVito, 2019). People who prefer polite listening understand the role of a speaker during face-to-face communication. In this manner of cooperation, people do not interrupt each other, add supportive cues, demonstrate their empathy, and maintain eye contact (DeVito, 2019). If a person pays much attention to the speaker’s standpoint but likes to initiate a two-way conversation for a better understanding of the content and feelings, empathic listening is considered. This style imposes empathy as the main element of communication to strengthen relationships and achieve some improvements.
In my life, I cannot quickly distinguish what style of listening is more or less appropriate for a particular situation. I usually rely on my knowledge and emotions when I start talking to people. However, addressing the theoretical part mentioned in the learning activities of this module, I realize that active listening is my preferred communication method. In most cases, I like to send it back to the speaker and share my feelings about the given information. I not only understand what my family members try to deliver in their messages but also demonstrate my attitudes toward their words and feelings. Paraphrasing helps me show what I have discovered, and questions are necessary to clarify what kind of reaction a person wants to get at the moment. For example, when my parents share their emotions about their working day, I repeat the content in my own words, ask rhetorical questions, and respond to their information.
Despite being completely satisfied with my listening style and communication techniques, I have noticed that I cannot get rid of some monotonous techniques. Therefore, to alter my style and achieve better outcomes in my communication, I want to consider diversifying my listening styles and applying new ways of conversation. Instead of asking questions and focusing on human emotions and feelings, I need to maintain eye contact as an element of polite listening. I will also concentrate on keeping my mind open to check if critical listening can be my strength.
In conclusion, my awareness of listening styles is a good contribution to my progress in communication and developing appropriate interpersonal relationships. It is not enough to use correct words or make some movements to demonstrate empathy and understanding. The differences between active, empathic, polite, and critical listening help reveal the most critical skills in communication. My personal life is full of active listening, but I could have altered my manner of communication for particular situations by implementing the techniques of other styles.
References
DeVito, J. A. (2019). Essentials of human communication (10th ed.). Pearson Education.
Johnson, N. F., & Francis, Z. (2022). Positive family relationships in a digital age: Hearing the voice of young people. Children & Society, 36(5), 933-948. Web.
Kriz, T. D., Kluger, A. N., & Lyddy, C. J. (2021). Feeling heard: Experiences of listening (or not) at work. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. Web.