Use Your Spare Time
One of the reasons that paying attention seems to be such a problem for listeners is that the human brain can process information much faster than a person can talk. Research has been conducted in the area of time-compressed speech in which a tape-recorded message is electronically speeded up without changing the pitch level (unless pitch is controlled, the recording begins to sound like a chipmunk as the speed is increased). Depending on the message's complexity, organization, and such, we can understand information relatively well, even up to a rate of 400 to 500 words per minute (wpm). The average speaking rate, however, is only 125 to 150 wpm (Goss, 1982). As a consequence, our minds are seldom fully occupied while listening, and we have a tendency to daydream.
Several listening experts have suggested that this "spare time" that we have (while our mind is working faster than the speaker's rate of speech) may be used to do some extra thinking about what the speaker is trying to say. This may be a bit tricky and seems more suitable for an audience member or group member than for a participant in a two-person conversation.
Ralph Nichols (1957), the nation's foremost authority on listenings-suggests. that you first anticipate the speaker's next point. From the context of his or her past remarks, you may be able to predict the next point in advance (sometimes you may be surprised). Second, mentally rehearse or review the points that the speaker has already covered. As we stated earlier, this rehearsal is the key factor in transferring information from short-term memory (STM) to long-term memory (LTM). Third, use the tests of critical thinking discussed earlier in this chapter. Listen for the validity and quality of the analogies, examples, statistics, and testimonials the speaker uses. Fourth, listen "between the lines" for what the speaker doesn't say but may be communicating nonverbally through tone of voice dr even with visual cues. As we pointed out in Chapter 5, these cues may carry as much or more meaning than the verbal messages. The "spare time" that is available to the listener can be used for daydreaming and faulty listening, or it can be used more profitably to improve understanding and retention of a speaker's message.
More recently, Nisbet (1988) offers several practical tips for better listening.
1. Be patient—Avoid temptation to rush the speaker. Also, since rate of speaking is 120 words per minute and listening is three to four times faster, it is important not to project the speaker's meaning before he or she has finished.
2. Take time—If one doesn't have time to listen, it is better to state this, rather than half-listen or rush the speaker.
3. Be attentive—Keep one's mind on the subject and speaker. Offer feedback and be active in listening.
4. Be prepared to learn—Don't listen with set ideas or with an unwillingness to change. Be open to other options.
5. Don't overreact to the message—Keep the barriers down. Listen to the full message and meaning of the speaker.
6. Don't overreact to the messenger—Focus on the message content if the speaker is bothering you.
7. Don't pretend—Don't go through the motions of pseudolistening.
8. Don't be preoccupied—Put competing thoughts out of your mind and focus on the speaker and the message.