Listening and Responding to Others

By

[Student number]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the concept of “communication” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “listening and responding to others”. The research also analyzes many aspects and ways in which people can communicate actively. The approach for research is taken in a social perspective.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATIONiii

ABSTRACTiv

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Research Questions1

Aims and Objectives1

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW2

Communication2

Listening and Responding2

What is the difference between hearing and listening?3

Elements that facilitate active listening3

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY4

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS5

REFERENCES6

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Communication is the process by which one can transmit information from one entity to another. The communication processes are sign-mediated interactions between at least two agents who share the same repertoire of signs and rules have semiotic common (Hargie, 2006, 24).

Research Questions

The research questions will aim to answer the following:

What role listening and responding plays in internal and external communication?

What are different ways to listen and respond actively?

Aims and Objectives

The aim and objectives of this study are:

To identify the importance of communication

To analyse how to listen and respond actively

To analyse different aspect of listening

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Communication

Traditionally, according to Guerrero and Anderson, communication is defined as "the exchange of feelings, opinions, or any other information by speech, writing or other signs." All forms of communication requires a sender, a message and a receiver for, but the receiver need not be present and be aware of the communicative intent by the issuer. In the communicative process, information is included by the sender in a packet and forwarded to the receiver through the medium. Once received, the receiver decodes the message and provides an answer (2007: 23).

In a research conducted by Hargie, it is stated that when a person spends the majority of his or her time in politics, in business, in church, in school, at home or out on the streets, the most important tool for command is the tools of communication (2006: 24). Listening constitutes half of ...