Communication: The Listening Process

Listening Process

• Receiving: sound waves and visual stimuli enter the ears and go into the brain through physiological processes
• Attending: conscious choice to focus attention on one stimulus
• Interpreting: making sense of what we heard based on schema and references
• Remembering: storing stimuli in short-term memory and then transferring to long-term memory during interaction
• Responding: providing feedback
• Pseudolistening: pretending to listen, but not making sense or remembering what the speaker said

Small Group Communication

• Definition: interaction among a small number of people (5-7) who share a common goal, can be face-to-face or virtual
• Importance: facilitates collaboration, enhances problem-solving, and allows for diversity of ideas
• Defined Roles: each member has a specific role, such as leader, recorder, or timekeeper, to organize activities and responsibilities
• Norms: groups establish informal rules to guide members' behavior and interaction
• Procedures: clear procedures for meetings, decision-making, and task completion ensure smooth functioning

Aim of Small Groups

• Task Achievement: accomplishing specific tasks or goals
• Problem Solving: collaborating to find solutions to complex issues
• Socializing: providing support, friendship, or a sense of belonging

Characteristics of Small Groups

• Team Decision Making
• Interconnectedness for tasks in teams
• Team Member Dependency
• Team Conflict
• Multiplicity of team members (gender, disciplines, profession, ages, etc.)

Conflict in Small Groups

• Types of Conflict:
  • Task Conflict: disagreements about content and outcomes
  • Relationship Conflict: personal incompatibilities
  • Process Conflict: disagreements about how to accomplish tasks
• Managing Conflict as a Supervisor:
  • Identify the Source: understand the root cause of the conflict
  • Active Listening: hear all perspectives without bias
  • Mediation: facilitate discussion to resolve the conflict
  • Set Guidelines: establish clear rules for conflict resolution
  • Follow-Up: ensure the conflict is resolved and maintain open communication

Functions of Mass Media

• Surveillance: monitoring the environment and providing information
• Correlation: explaining and interpreting events and information
• Transmission: socializing individuals by communicating norms, values, and culture
• Entertainment: providing amusement and diversion
• Economic Service: advertising products and services, linking buyers and sellers

Leadership Styles

• Autocratic Leadership: leaders make decisions independently with little input from group members
• Pros: efficient and clear decision-making
• Cons: can lead to lower morale and less creativity
• Personal Preference: depending on the situation and personal work style, one might prefer a particular leadership style

5 Stages of Small Group Formation

• Forming: group members get to know each other and establish initial roles and expectations
• Storming: conflicts arise as members assert their opinions and vie for positions
• Norming: the group establishes norms and cohesion, finding ways to work together effectively
• Performing: the group works efficiently towards achieving its goals
• Adjourning: the group disbands after achieving its goals, and members reflect on their experiences

Barriers to Listening

• Physical Barriers: external noise and environmental distractions
• Physiological Barriers: hearing impairments, fatigue, or other physical conditions
• Psychological Barriers: prejudices, assumptions, and biases
• Semantic Barriers: language differences, jargon, or technical terms
• Personal Barriers: emotional states, such as stress, anger, or anxiety, that affect concentration and listening

This quiz covers the steps involved in the listening process, including receiving, attending, interpreting, remembering, and responding. It also explores the concept of pseudolistening. Test your knowledge of effective communication!