1. Listening and Critical
Thinking
Objectives:
1. Differences between Hearing & Listening
2. Listening effectively involves effort and skill
3. Responsibilities of the listener

2. Hearing and Listening
 Hearing: Occurs
 Listening: Involves
when your ears
pick up sound
waves being
transmitted by a
speaker.
recognizing,
understanding
and accurately
interpreting
messages received.
 It is an INACTIVE,
INVOLUNTARY
Process
 It is an ACTIVE,
Voluntary Process
which requires
ENERGY

3. Factors Most Important in Helping
Graduating College Students Obtain Employment
Oral communication (speaking)
Listening ability
Enthusiasm
Written communication skills
From Dan B. Curtis, Jerry L. Winsor, and Ronald D. Stephens, “National
Preferences in Business and Communication Education,” Communication
Education 38 (January 1989): 11.

4. Bright-eyed college students in lecture halls
aren’t necessarily listening to the professor-American Psychological Association
Mental Processing of Male & Female Students
•
•
•
•
•
Pursuing Erotic Thoughts
Reminiscing (about something)
Paying Attention to Lecture
Actively Listening
Other (daydreaming, religion)
20%
20%
20%
12%
08%

5. Listening Rate
• Your brain has the
capacity to listen at a
rate of 400-800 words
per minute.
• The average speaker,
speaks at a rate of 125190 words per minute.

6. How to Listen Effectively
 Don’t Fake Attention
 Maximize Energy
 Prepare Yourself
– Physically
– Intellectually
 Resist Distractions
–
–
–
–
Auditory
Visual
Physical
Mental

7. The Listener’s Responsibilities
Avoid being RUDE
Provide Encouragement
Find Value in Every Speech