- What are the differences between emotions, feelings, and moods? What are some approaches shared by communication scholars to managing negative moods?
- What are the main barriers to active listening in your close relationships? Which one of the strategies from the class readings might you incorporate in your communication to become a better listener? Is active listening a biblical value, or does the Bible clarify what it means to be an active listener? Explain.
Listening To Self And Others
Full Answer Section
Barriers to Active Listening and Strategies for Improvement:
Common Barriers to Active Listening in Close Relationships:
- Distractions:Technology, multitasking, or internal distractions can prevent us from fully focusing on the speaker.
- Interrupting:The desire to share our own thoughts or advice can lead to interrupting the other person before they've finished speaking.
- Judgments:Forming negative judgments about the speaker or their message can hinder our ability to truly listen and understand.
- Emotional Reactions:Strong emotions like anger or frustration can make it difficult to listen objectively.
Strategies for Becoming a Better Listener:
From the readings, consider incorporating:
- Nonverbal Cues:Maintain eye contact, use open body language, and nod your head to show you're engaged.
- Reflecting and Paraphrasing:Restate what you've heard in your own words to confirm understanding and encourage elaboration.
- Asking Open-Ended Questions:Go beyond simple "yes/no" questions to prompt deeper conversation and encourage the speaker to share more.
Active Listening as a Biblical Value:
The Bible emphasizes active listening in several ways:
- Proverbs 18:13:"To answer before listening—that is folly and shame."
- James 1:19:"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
- Proverbs 18:2:"A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
These verses highlight the importance of paying attention, seeking understanding, and avoiding interrupting. While the term "active listening" isn't explicitly used, the core principles align with the concept of being a patient, attentive, and empathetic listener.
Sample Answer
While often used interchangeably, emotions, feelings, and moods have distinct characteristics:
- Emotions: These are complex physiological, cognitive, and behavioral reactions to a stimulus (e.g., anger, joy, fear). They are short-lived and intense, often accompanied by physical changes like heart rate increase or sweating.
- Feelings: These are the subjective experience of emotions. They are how we perceive and interpret our emotional state (e.g., feeling frustrated, feeling happy). Feelings can be influenced by personal experiences and cultural contexts.
- Moods: These are general emotional states that are less intense but more long-lasting than emotions. Moods can be influenced by various factors like sleep, stress, or major life events (e.g., feeling gloomy, feeling energetic).