The Lost Art of Listening (53 page)

Read The Lost Art of Listening Online

Authors: Michael P. Nichols

Resentment, 230–233

305–306

Reacting defensively.
See

Resistance to speaking,

reluctance in, 62–64

Defensive reacting

62–64, 257.
See

Overreaction, 101–104, 181, Reactivity, emotional.
See

also
Reticence in

184–187, 192.
See also

Emotional reactivity

communication

Emotional reactivity

Reasons people don’t listen

Respect, 98–99, 270–273

emotional reactivity, 51–52 Respecting yourself, 27–36

Paraphrasing, 145–146,

listener’s agenda, 48–50

Responding, 11–15, 111–

149–150

overview, 42–44

117.
See also
Emotional

Parenting.
See also
Children,

preconceived notions,

reactivity

listening to; Teenagers,

50–51

Responsive listening

listening to

specific reasons, 44–52

arguments and, 120–124

balancing intimacy

transference, 45–48

creating a climate of

and independence in

Reassurance, 16–17, 20–22,

understanding and,

a relationship and,

39, 86–87

158–159

214–216

Rebelling, 179, 276–277

listening to children and,

being heard and, 235–251

Relationships.
See also

253–263

boundaries and, 236–240,

Children, listening

overview, 121–124,

245–247

to; Families; Friends;

158–159

emotional reactivity and,

Teenagers, listening to

Responsive unavailability,

114–115, 188–189

balancing intimacy and

155–156

empathy and, 252–254

independence in,

Restraint in communication,

gender and, 65

213–216

104

helping children open up

bitterness and, 230–233

Reticence in communication

and, 80–81

changes in, 12–13

burden of listening and,

listening to children and,

complaining without

80–81

26–27

fighting and, 225–230

emotional reactivity and,

self-respect and, 27–36

desires for attention and

194

sensitivities carried over

solitude within, 211–213

listening to teenagers and,

from, 102–104

differences in, 219–222

265–270

supporting each other in,

emotional reactivity and,

overview, 62–64, 133–135

248–251

127–131, 192–194

relationships and, 133–135

Passive attention, 74,

expectations and, 99–101

relinquishing control and,

143–144

hurt feelings and, 131–133

151–152

Index
313

self-reflective observation

cutting someone off and,

empathic listening and,

and, 172–175

161

163

Rules of listening, 52–61,

failed listening and, 81–88

failures of, 3

58–61

gender and, 91–92

intent and impact and, 45

insincere listening and,

preconceived notions and,

Sarcasm, 181

88–91

157–158

Selective attunement, 255

interruptions and, 82–83,

problems of linear thinking

Self-actualization, 26–27

88

and, 52–61

Self-conscious listener, 89,

joking around and, 85–86

relinquishing control and,

305–306

overview, 74–77, 92–95

151

Self-interest, 307

passive attention, 74

suspending the self in

Selfishness, 119–120

reassurance and, 86–87

listening and, 74–77

Selflessness, 77–81.
See also

sharing similar stories and, Unshared thoughts, effects

Suspending the self in

82–83

of, 39–41

listening

sympathy and, 83–84

Unwillingness to

Selfobjects, 18–19

when the speaker repeats

communication.

Self-possessed listener, 194

the same concerns, 87

See
Reticence in

Self-protection, 125

Sympathy

communication

Self-reflective observation,

compared to empathy,

172–175

163–164

Validation, 15–18, 146

Self-reliance, 213–216

friendships and, 284–285

Verbal development, 35–36

Self-respect, 27–36

parenting and, 253

Sensitivity

suspending the self in

Whining, 257–259

carried over from our

listening and, 75–76,

Why people don’t listen.
See

families, 102–104

83–84

Reasons people don’t

checking to see if the

listen

person is busy and,

Taking an interest in others.

Women and communication,

171–172

See
Interest in the

64–67, 91–92.
See

emotional reactivity and,

speaker

also
Gender and

193–194

Taking sides, friendships and,

communication

expectations and, 166–172

283–286

Workplace communication,

hypersensitivity, 99–101,

Taking turns in a

293–303

102–104, 111–117

conversation, 145,

listening to teenagers and,

160–162, 227.
See also

266

Suspending the self in

office communications

listening

and, 300–301

Talking too much, 61–62

Setbacks, 4

Tantrums, 259–261

Setting of communication,

Teenagers, listening to,

58–61

252–254, 263–278.
See

Sexual relationship, 150

also
Parenting

Shame, 199

Thoughts, unshared, 39–41

Showing off, 255–256

Timing of communication,

Sides, taking, 283–286

58–61

Silent arguing, 266–269

Tolerance, 116–117,

Solitude, 40, 174, 211–213

117–118

Stereotypes regarding

Transference, 45–48

listening, 44, 91–92, 250, Triangulation, 240–245, 300

275–277

Stubbornness, 120, 269

Understanding in

Support, asking for, 153–154

communication

Suspending the self in

affirmation of, 144–150

listening

arguments and, 125

acknowledgment and,

confidence and, 36–37

86–87

creating a climate of,

advice-giving and, 84–85

158–159

appreciation and, 86,

defensive reacting and,

141–144

182–184

burden of listening and,

emotional reactivity and,

77–81

199

About the Author

About the A

About the Author

Michael P. Nichols, PhD,
Professor of Psychology at the College of

William and Mary, is the author of
Stop Arguing with Your Kids,
among

numerous other books. He is a well-known therapist and a popular

speaker.

314

Document Outline

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