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Purposive Communication: What Is Critical Listening?
Purposive Communication: What Is Critical Listening?
Critical listening is a form of listening that if usually not mentioned, since it involves analysis,
critical thinking and judgment. Making judgments during listening is often considered as a barrier to
understand a person, and there's a lot of truth in that.However, critical listening occurs when you still
want to understand what the other person is saying, but also have some reason or responsibility to
evaluate what is being said to you and how it is being said. For example, if there's an upcoming election
and you need to decide who to vote for, you probably use some form of critical listening when you watch
a televised debate. You listen, AND you evaluate.While experts on learning and communication almost
universally demean the importance and value of critical listening, when it comes to real life, listening
critically is used every day.The key though, is to try to understand the other person FIRST, before one
evaluates.
Have you ever been speaking to someone and found that they are distracted by something and
not really listening to you? You probably thought this was annoying, frustrating, and disrespectful. At
that point you may have even become angry or shut the conversation down.
When someone is speaking it is vitally important to be fully present and in the moment with
them. If something else is on your mind, like a call you have to make, or a text you need to answer, let
them know, do what you need to do, and when you are finished let them know you are ready to listen.
When listening pay attention not only to the words but the tone of voice, facial expressions,
and body language. This will give you information that will be as important as the words themselves.
3. PICK UP KEY POINTS AND LET THE SPEAKER KNOW YOU DID
Many people have trouble focusing on what someone is saying especially if they speak for
longer than a minute or so. It is easy for our attention to drift to something else that we might find
more interesting. If that’s the case, try to pick up a few key points in the conversation. After they
finish talking, let them know that you heard them by mentioning the key points you heard them say
and ask them to clarify anything that you did not understand. You will be forgiven for not being able
to follow the whole conversation if the person talking believes that you made an honest effort.