Communications Question

Choose ONE of the observations/experiments listed below to perform and write about. You will turn in a synopsis/response to your experiment/observation

Observations/Experiments

1.Observe the “cocktail” listening effect at a gathering of two or more

people.  The cocktail listening effect is when someone is talking to one person but trying to listen to something else (Example: watching television and talking to someone). What do you see happening?  For this exercise, please be an observer…don’t be one of the people involved…you won’t be able to properly observe if you are involved.

2.Ask only questions for a full ten minutes and avoid being drawn into the conversation.  Record the reactions of the other person. Did they enjoy the experience?  Did you have difficulty not being drawn in to the conversation?

3.Give only positive attending behaviors (nodding, smiling etc.) and positive verbalfeedback: (“Yes, I understand” ,“I agree” etc.) to someone for five minutes. Observe their behavior. Did they talk more, less?   Did the conversation continue, stop?  What was their reaction?

4.Select a good friend and use your active listening skills. Resist giving advice. Didyou succeed in using all of the skills?  Was the transaction useful to the friend?  Was it difficult for you to not give advice?